Sack IGP Egbetokun, Lagos CP Jimoh Now Or Forget 2027—Yoruba Union Blasts Tinubu Over Police Shooting Of Lagos Protesters

Ikeja, Lagos State– A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has issued an ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate removal of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Jimoh, over the alleged shooting of peaceful protesters at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos State.

The group warned that President Tinubu should forget about contesting future presidential elections if he fails to sack the two senior police officers for gross repression, impunity, and crimes against unarmed civilians protesting the demolition of waterfront communities in Lagos.

The condemnation followed a protest against the demolition of homes in Makoko communities, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onírín, and other waterfront settlements, where residents said they were violently displaced without adequate notice, compensation, or resettlement.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Union’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released by its Home Director, Princess Balogun, accused the police hierarchy of deploying lethal force against harmless protesters instead of confronting violent criminals ravaging parts of the country.

According to the statement, the IGP and the Lagos CP have become notorious symbols of repression against innocent people demanding accountability.

“If the overzealous IGP Kayode Egbetokun and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Jimoh, are truly passionate about using force, they should go and confront Bello Turji, the notorious terrorist kingpin, instead of shooting harmless protesters under Ikeja Underbridge,” the group said.

The Union explained that police officers opened fire on protesters demonstrating against the demolition of their ancestral homes, while several others were arrested and detained.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá also accused President Tinubu of complicity and silent endorsement of state-backed oppression of Yoruba communities.

“It is obvious that President Tinubu is complicit in how people are being stripped of their dignity and liberty. After rendering Yoruba people homeless overnight by demolishing their houses, the authorities went ahead to shoot some protesters and arrest many others,” Yoruba Union said.

The group further described Tinubu as a wicked leader allegedly backing security officials who, it claimed, routinely victimise, harass, oppress, arrest, detain, and frame innocent citizens, leading many to prison for crimes they never committed.

“If IGP Egbetokun and CP Jimoh are not enjoying the backing of President Tinubu for their atrocities and impunity against Nigerians, they would by now be facing trial in a competent court of law for crimes against humanity,” the Union added.

The organisation lamented the worsening living conditions of Lagos residents affected by the demolitions, noting that the displaced communities were already battling poverty, economic hardship, lack of potable water, poor roads, inadequate schools, and insufficient healthcare facilities.

According to the statement, rather than addressing these challenges, the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in collaboration with the police leadership, ordered a task force backed by armed officers and heavy equipment to demolish homes “within a single night,” leaving families homeless on land they had occupied for decades.

“These are people struggling daily to survive. Instead of government compassion, they were met with bulldozers, guns, and arrests on their fathers’ land,” the Union said.

Describing the events at Ikeja Underbridge as an “eyesore,” Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said its members at home and abroad condemned the police action in totality and demanded an independent investigation into the shooting of protesters.

The group also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested demonstrators, including activist Soweto and other protest leaders.

“What happened yesterday is unacceptable in a democratic society. Nigeria is not a banana republic,” Yoruba Union added.

The Union warned against the creeping privatisation of the Nigerian state, insisting that the country does not belong to any individual or political elite.

“Nigeria is not a business centre owned by Tinubu or any individual. Nigeria belongs to Nigerians, and no one is more Nigerian than the people,” the group said.

It added that the continued use of force against civilians while terrorists and kidnappers operate freely across the country reflects a dangerous collapse of law enforcement priorities.

“If the Nigeria Police want to use force, they should go to where terrorists are attacking and kidnapping people on a daily basis, not against peaceful protesters,” the statement stressed.

In its final warning, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said President Tinubu must immediately sack IGP Kayode Egbetokun and CP Fatai Jimoh or risk total rejection by Nigerians.

“And if Tinubu thinks IGP Kayode Egbetokun is above the law or that he cannot sack him, then Tinubu should step aside and allow Nigerians to appoint the rightful leadership that will cleanse the system and sack all corrupt and rogue officials using their positions to kill and victimise oppressed citizens,” the Union added.