The activist insisted that the campaign against demolitions in Oworonshoki has been peaceful, lawful, and grounded in the defence of the rights of indigenous residents, many of whom are now displaced and facing dire humanitarian conditions.
Human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) House of Assembly candidate in Oworonshoki, Ishola Rauf Shina (popularly known as Shinene), has raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged conspiracy to intimidate, abduct, and silence him and other community organisers resisting ongoing demolitions in Oworonshoki, Lagos.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Deputy Coordinator of Take It Back (TIB) Lagos said he received credible information suggesting that key traditional and security figures in the area were allegedly coordinating moves to track his movements and possibly forcefully remove him from Lagos.
Shinene specifically alleged that the Oba of Oworonshoki, Oba Babatunde Saliu, in conjunction with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood, and the Divisional Police Officer of Oworonshoki Police Station, CSP Olajide Onabanjo, have been linked to plans that could jeopardise his safety, alongside other comrades involved in what he called a legitimate struggle against “illegal demolition.”
He further accused members of the Madowo local security outfit, allegedly led by one Sadam Arogundade, of trailing him across the community, monitoring his movement, and acting as enforcers of a crackdown against residents opposed to the demolition.
The activist insisted that the campaign against demolitions in Oworonshoki has been peaceful, lawful, and grounded in the defence of the rights of indigenous residents, many of whom are now displaced and facing dire humanitarian conditions.
He warned that any attempt to silence him or his co-organisers would amount to a direct attack on Nigeria’s democratic space and a dangerous precedent of state-enabled coercion.
Shinene called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Government, civil society organisations, international human rights bodies, and the media to intervene immediately and ensure that no harm comes to him or his colleagues.
The activist stressed that his statement should serve as a public alert in the event of any abrupt disappearance, unlawful detention, or incommunicado arrest, emphasising that he had documented the threats before making them public.
Residents and grassroots groups in Oworonshoki have repeatedly accused the authorities of conducting demolitions without adequate notice, compensation, or resettlement plans, a claim the Lagos State Government has not formally addressed.
The demolitions, which have been ongoing for months, have triggered protests, displacement, and rising tension between locals and state-backed enforcement actors.
Shinene vowed to remain vocal and committed to what he described as a legitimate defence of the community against forced evictions and structural erasure.
The statement reads in part, "I have been informed of the alleged conspiracy by the Oba of Oworonshoki - Oba Babatunde Saliu is and the Lagos police CP Jimoh Moshood with his stools DPO of the Oworonshoki divisional police station Olajide Onabanjo have been planning to get me Ishola Rauf Shina Shinene and other comrades that’s been involved in the struggle against the illegal demolition taking place in oworonshoki to be abducted by the Nigeria police and other elements of the Madowo local security outfit head by Sadam Arogundade are been used in following up on me and also tracing my movements in and out of the community and probably to be taking away from Lagos.
"This plan, however it may seem, is an act of suppression against dissenting voices of the people and freedom of my movement and expression. The constitution guarantees us freedom of expression and association, and these would be used for the betterment of our society.
"Nigerian rulers and most especially the Lagos state government and the governor Babajide Sanwo Olu must come to the realization that democratic tenets must prevail to have a just society.
"Therefore, the public should be aware in case of any silence that’s bestowed on my person.”
"In recent days, I have received credible information alleging that certain traditional, security, and local actors may be involved in activities that could endanger my freedom and physical safety**, particularly due to my involvement in the ongoing resistance against the demolition exercises in Oworonshoki,” he said.
He added that “there are allegations that some individuals within the community, including elements of local security outfits, may be monitoring my movements and those of my comrades”.
“I am deeply concerned that this could escalate into attempts at intimidation or possible unlawful arrest or abduction,” he said.
"These concerns exist within a broader struggle by residents and activists who are peacefully opposing what many believe to be *unjust and disruptive demolition activities* affecting the people of Oworonshoki.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of movement, expression, and association, adding that “peaceful advocacy is not a crime”.
He said, “No citizen should be threatened, targeted, or silenced for speaking up for their community.
"Any action aimed at suppressing lawful dissent is an attack on democratic principles and the rights of the Nigerian people. It is important for the Lagos State Government and all authorities involved to respect the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is harmed or victimised for standing for justice.”
"This statement serves as a public alert. If at any point my communication ceases abruptly or my whereabouts become unknown, let it be known that I had previously raised concerns regarding threats to my safety,” he added.