CHSR Demands Investigation Into Owode-Onirin Killings …Says Civil Society Groups Committed To Fighting For The Masses

A human rights group, the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), has called for investigations into the killings of six traders in Owode Onirin area of Lagos State in August 2025 by suspected thugs.

Addressing the media on Monday at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba, Lagos, on the recent protest at the gate of the Lagos State House of Assembly over the demolitions carried out in some parts of the state that led to altercation between the protesters and the security agencies, the President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse said that the people have rights to protest.

Omoteshinse said that the issue should have been handled better by the security agencies, while calling for an end to interference in lawful civic coalitions and protests.

“We demand an independent investigation into the killing of the six Owode Onirin traders and killings in all other affected communities across the state.

“We also want the prosecution of every individual and all accomplices involve in the killings across all the affected communities in state and an end to police interference in lawful civic coalitions and protests

“We also want justice, compensation, and restoration for all demolished affected communities,” he said.

The activist added that the group “unequivocally condemns the use of intimidation, coercion, and manipulation aimed at isolating Owode Onirin marketers from the legitimate and organic assembly of demolition affected communities within state, who trooped out in their thousands to protest illegal demolition, forced eviction, economic destruction, and the cold blooded killing of six Owode Onirin able bodied young men on August 27 2025, and killings of innocent citizens across the state during the evil demolition and eviction in affected demolished communities."

He stated that the six Owode Onirin young Nigerians were not statistics, but that they were sons, and breadwinners.

“Let it be clearly stated and placed on public record that CHSR did not appear yesterday, we did not jump on a moving train, we were invited.

“As far back as Sunday March 9, 2025 when the first signs of encroachment and demolition surfaced, the Owode Onirin Spare Parts Association formally wrote to CHSR, with their SOS letter dated March 10, 2025 pleading for intervention to rescue their market, livelihoods, and dignity.

“Since then, CHSR has held multiple press conferences and organised peaceful rallies to the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

"We have submitted formal petitions to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos State Government, Office of the executive Governor of Lagos State, National Assembly, Abuja, Office of the President, Aso Rock, Abuja and the National Human Rights Commission. These interventions were documented, lawful, peaceful, and transparent,” he said.

He then stated that it is wrong to insinuate that civil society groups should not interfere with what concerns the people.

“The question is; were previous Owode Onirin Motor spare parts marketers’ protests not also against demolition? Were the motor spare parts market protesters suddenly “rented” today because they stood shoulder to shoulder with other victims?

“To set the record straight, there were no rented crowds, and there were no ulterior motives behind the protest.

“What existed and still exists are inhuman living conditions, shattered livelihoods, displaced families, blood on the streets, and unanswered questions about the Owode six and killings in other affected communities,” he said.

According to him, “peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Victims of demolition are citizens, not enemies, and civil society organizations are partners in democracy, not adversaries,” he said.

He then warned that Owode Onirin traders should withdraw a statement recently credited to them that the protest into the house of assembly was based on an ulterior motive or else the group would withdraw its support for them even as the matter is before a Lagos High Court.