Rewriting the Rules of Protest Policing in Lagos
By Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin
Lagos has always been a theatre of public expression — a bustling metropolis where political discontent, economic pressure, and civic activism frequently find their loudest voice. With its dense population, vibrant youth culture, and symbolic relevance in national politics, the city often becomes the heartbeat of Nigeria’s protests and the first testing ground for how the state responds to civic agitation.
Yet the management of these gatherings has historically been fraught with tension. Years of force-first policing left deep scars, fostered mistrust, and entrenched a perception that citizens and law enforcement stood perpetually at odds. The most defining example remains the 2020 #EndSARS protests. What began as a peaceful, youth-driven cry against police brutality culminated in a tragic night at the Lekki Toll Gate. The alleged shooting of unarmed protesters shattered public trust and revealed, in painful detail, the cost of aggressive crowd control tactics. The incident did more than take lives — it entrenched trauma and hardened the belief that protest in Nigeria is a perilous act.
However, a notable departure from that legacy has been unfolding since February 2025 under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Moshood Olohundare Jimoh. His tenure has introduced a more humane, dialogical, and pragmatic style of policing — one that treats protesters as citizens, not combatants.
This shift became visible early in his administration when residents of coastal and informal settlements panicked over proposed demolitions. Rather than flood the streets with intimidation, the police opened communication channels. Officers met with community representatives, clarified court orders, and reassured residents. What could easily have become a volatile confrontation ended without incident. No tear gas. No arrests. No casualties. Just communication.
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A similar pattern emerged during protests at the Lagos State House of Assembly following the suspension of local government officials. Instead of branding the protesters as troublemakers, the police prioritised dialogue. Once tensions were explained and legal processes clarified, the crowd dispersed peacefully. It was a simple reminder that sometimes, the only difference between chaos and calm is whether authorities choose to listen.
This philosophy was again tested during the much-anticipated “End Bad Governance” protest in June 2025. Historically, such protests would have attracted pre-emptive crackdowns, roadblocks, and a heavy troop presence. Instead, the police engaged organisers ahead of time, agreed on protest routes, and deployed liaison officers rather than riot squads. The result? A peaceful demonstration, orderly crowds, and no confrontational headlines.
Such outcomes stand in sharp contrast to Lagos’ older, more forceful policing culture. For years, demonstrations were treated less as civic expression and more as imminent threats. The 2012 Occupy Nigeria movement saw violent dispersals. The #EndSARS tragedy revealed, with heartbreaking clarity, what happens when the state prioritises force over dialogue. These events cemented public distrust and framed the police as adversaries rather than partners in democratic engagement.
Under CP Jimoh, however, a new model is emerging — rooted in transparency, civil engagement, and a strategic understanding that restraint is not weakness, but wisdom. His approach recognises protests as legitimate avenues for civic participation and channels them into orderly, peaceful processes.
This evolution could not come at a more crucial time. Lagos, with over 20 million residents, sits atop layers of inequality, youth frustration, and governance challenges. Protests are inevitable. The real question is what shape they take — constructive or destructive. That answer depends largely on the tone set by the authorities.
By allowing demonstrations to proceed peacefully, by sharing information openly, and by reserving force strictly for situations where lives or property face clear danger, the Lagos Police Command is signalling a more mature understanding of public order. It is embracing the truth that public safety is not achieved through intimidation, but through partnership.
If this model endures, Lagos may well become a national reference point for rights-respecting crowd management — a powerful demonstration that law enforcement can protect citizens’ freedoms while maintaining security. And in a democracy still negotiating its identity, that is no small achievement.
Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin, a PRNigeria Fellow, writes via: [email protected]
