BREAKING: Makoko Youth Leader Oluwatobi Aide Released After Three Days In Lagos RRS Detention Over Demolition Protest

Aide regained his freedom at about 7:03pm on Wednesday, following public outcry and the intervention of human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

A youth leader of the Makoko waterfront community, Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, has been released after spending three days in detention.

Aide regained his freedom at about 7:03pm on Wednesday, following public outcry and the intervention of human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

He was arrested and detained by operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a development that drew condemnation from community members and civil rights advocates.

Supporters alleged that his detention was linked to efforts to intimidate residents of the Makoko waterfront community amid ongoing tensions over the control of the area.

Activists described Aide’s arrest as part of a broader pattern of state actions targeting informal waterfront settlements, recalling previous forced evictions and land seizures in communities such as Ajegunle and Oworoshoki.

On Wednesday morning, SaharaReporters reported that Aide was arraigned before a Lagos State mobile court on charges of conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, following his arrest during protests against the ongoing demolition of homes in the area.

A source disclosed on Wednesday that Mr. Aide was taken to the mobile court sitting at the Lagos State Taskforce office in Oshodi, where he was expected to be formally charged.

The source described the allegations against him as “false and politically motivated,” accusing the Lagos State Government of criminalising dissent.

“Oluwatobi Aide has just been brought to the mobile court at the Taskforce office in Oshodi for arraignment on trumped-up charges, simply because he protested the illegal demolition of poor people’s houses in Makoko by the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government,” the source said.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the Lagos State Police Command had concluded plans to arraign Mr. Aide on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, following his arrest by RRS operatives.

Sources familiar with the case said the prosecution was authorised by the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.

Aide was arrested on Sunday, January 11, during protests by residents against the alleged extension of demolition beyond an agreed 30-metre setback from an electricity installation in the community.

“He was arrested simply for speaking up and questioning why the demolition went beyond what the government had earlier agreed with the community,” a source told SaharaReporters.

“Since then, he has been treated like a criminal.”

Activists have raised serious concerns about Mr. Aide’s health while in detention.

According to sources, he was hospitalised two weeks earlier after inhaling teargas allegedly fired into the community during earlier demolition exercises.

On Monday night, he reportedly fell ill again while in police custody at Area F Police Division, Ikeja, suffering severe reactions linked to mosquito bites and poor detention conditions.

“He was rushed to a hospital by RRS operatives after his condition worsened,” a source said.

“Shockingly, the police initially insisted that he should pay for his treatment.”

The source added that following pressure from activists, the police agreed to cover the medical expenses before returning him to detention.

Tensions reportedly escalated on Tuesday when an RRS commander allegedly accused Mr. Aide of pretending to be ill and demanded that he apologise to the Lagos State Government and sign an undertaking never to protest again.

“When he refused, they insisted he would be charged in court to serve as a warning to others,” the source said.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations have condemned both the demolition exercise and the prosecution of the community leader.