Lagos CP Jimoh Warns Against Fake Protests, Exposes Land-Grabber Behind Owode Market Demolition
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has called on Lagosians to remain vigilant and avoid manipulation by individuals disguising criminal activities as civil agitation, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
During a visit to the Owode Onirin Motor Parts Market, the CP addressed traders and stakeholders amid recent waves of protests triggered by misinformation surrounding the Owode market demolition, Makoko eviction concerns, and Oworoshoki houses demolitions.
His visit followed the ‘violent’ protest staged at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday, a demonstration that the Police chief insists was not organized by legitimate victims, but rather by externally mobilized groups bent on causing chaos.
Speaking firmly, CP Jimoh provided a detailed timeline showing that Wednesday’s action was engineered to disrupt the state and manipulate public perception.
“I have policed hundreds of protests peacefully in this state. But what happened on Wednesday was a complete departure from the norm,” he told journalists.
He expressed deep concern over the attempt by the protest organizers, named as Taiwo Hassan and Dele Frank to forcibly involve schoolchildren.
“They removed children from schools in their uniforms and wanted to constrict them into the protest. This is a violation of international best practice. It endangers the lives of the children,” he said.
He also confirmed that a coffin was brought to the scene. “Anybody who brings a coffin to a protest clearly has a different agenda. That is not a peaceful protest anywhere in the world.”
Further, the CP clarified a widely circulated false narrative about demolition in Lagos, affirming that the demolished Owode market structures were not pulled down by the Lagos State Government. Instead, they were destroyed by a known land-grabber, Akeem Abiodun Ariyori, who illegally brought armed men from outside Lagos.
“This demolition you see here was done by a land-grabber we have arrested. He brought police personnel illegally from Nasarawa State, against the IGP’s directives,” he said.
“Those officers have been detained, investigated at the Force CID, and ordered back to Lagos for prosecution alongside Akeem Ariyori.”
Reiterating the Command’s commitment to civil rights, CP Olohundare Jimoh said: “If Lagosians come out for peaceful protest today, we will protect them. But we cannot allow anyone to block major roads for six hours, endanger lives, or paralyze the state economy.”
He described how motorists were trapped, some fainting, others stuck for medical emergencies, while protesters blocked highways with trucks.
The CP also responded to accusations from protest leaders claiming Police brutality. “I did not supervise the beating of anyone. No single rifle was fired. Taiwo Hassan’s claim is not true. They were arrested only after blocking the highway with a truck, which is an offense,” he clarified.
He then warned against groups using false narratives to provoke unrest. “No amount of social media misinformation will stop us from protecting Lagosians. The truth must stand.”
He emphasized that the Lagos Police Command remains committed to justice, rule of law, and the protection of all residents. “Justice will be done. No land grabber will be protected under my watch,” he concluded.
On his part, the Chairman of the Owode Onirin Motor Parts Market, Mr. Abiodun Hammed, distanced the traders from the protest that turned violent. He emphasized that Owode traders have a history of peaceful advocacy.
“On the day of the protest, we went there ourselves, but we didn’t know those people had their own mission. What we always do is peaceful. But what happened that day was different from our usual protest,” he said.
He also clarified that the Police did not deploy lethal force. “Nobody was shot. No rubber bullets, no guns. They only used tear gas to scatter the disruption. Everybody ran away. That was the end of it,” he stated.
Another market representative, Mr. Abiodun Abe, recounted the trauma of the earlier August 27 incident when traders were attacked by a land-grabber’s hired men. “It was the Commissioner of Police who rescued us when they wanted to close our market. Since that day, they gave us security. Nobody has disturbed us from doing our business,” he said.
