Police officers on Wednesday used tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, over ongoing demolitions and alleged forced evictions across the state. The protesters had converged at the assembly to demand an immediate halt to the destruction of homes in affected communities.

Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated when security operatives released tear gas canisters, causing panic around the area. Protesters, nearby residents, traders and commuters were forced to run in different directions to avoid inhaling the gas, leading to confusion and fear within the busy Alausa axis.

The development disrupted movement around the assembly complex, as traffic slowed and commercial activities were briefly halted. Many people abandoned their shops and vehicles while trying to find safety, as the protest ground quickly became chaotic.

As of the time of filing this report, security personnel remained stationed around the Lagos Assembly, while the protest had been temporarily dispersed. It was unclear if the demonstrators would regroup later, but calls for dialogue and an end to forced evictions continued to trend on social media.