MRI, X‑Ray Results Show Signs of Brutal Assault on Activist Soweto After Lagos Police Detention, Group Says!

MRI, X‑Ray Results Show Signs of Brutal Assault on Activist Soweto After Lagos Police Detention, Group Says!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

Human rights group advocates and legal representatives for Hassan Taiwo Soweto, a prominent Lagos‑based activist, say medical imaging including MRI and X‑ray scans reveals injuries consistent with brutal physical assault suffered while he was in police custody following his arrest at a protest against forced demolitions in Lagos.
Soweto, who leads campaigns against illegal evictions in communities such as Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki and Baba‑Ijora, was arrested on January 28, 2026, after demonstrations at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Rights defenders say the scans show evidence of trauma consistent with repeated blunt force impact during detention, signaling serious health concerns beyond superficial wounds.
According to Soweto’s legal team and witnesses, the activist was forcibly abducted, beaten, blindfolded and restrained by officers of the Lagos State Police Command, allegedly under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh. Soweto’s account alleges he was subjected to sustained beatings, dragged on hard surfaces, and denied access to legal counsel, family members, and independent medical care while in custody.
Advocacy groups including the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) have called for an independent investigation into the conduct of the police command, urging that the MRI and X‑ray evidence be examined as part of a transparent inquiry into possible custodial assault and human rights violations. These groups stress that the physical findings support eyewitness and photographic documentation of injuries that go beyond what might occur in lawful arrest scenarios.
In court appearances, Soweto has shown visible swelling and other injuries, and has consistently maintained that force used against him was excessive and punitive rather than lawful crowd control. Legal representatives, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, SAN, argue that such medical evidence should factor into judicial and administrative scrutiny of the police actions.
The Lagos State Police Command has denied allegations of torture or brutality, claiming that any injuries were not caused by police conduct and that all procedural safeguards were observed during detention.
As of this report, Soweto’s case continues in magistrate court, and civil society organisations have renewed calls for accountability and the urgent review of medical evidence including the reported MRI and X‑ray findings to determine whether custodial assault occurred and to prevent future violations of fundamental rights.

Citations:

1.https://thenicheng.com/rulaac-demands-independent-probe-of-lagos-cp-over-alleged-torture-of-activist-hassan-soweto
2.https://www.nigeriainfo.fm/news/homepagelagos/rights-activists-hassan-soweto-dele-frank-face-protest-charges-amid-brutality-allegations-in-lagos
3.https://www.thecable.ng/despite-evidence-lagos-police-say-no-anti-demolition-protester-injured-after-tear-gas-shooting

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

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Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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