Police Arrest Protesters Commemorating EndSARS Anniversary at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos

Police have arrested several protesters who gathered at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos to mark the 4th anniversary of the EndSARS protests. The protesters assembled to commemorate the deadly shooting by soldiers at the tollgate on October 20, 2020.

The EndSARS protests was championed by young Nigerians to call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to police brutality. Although SARS was disbanded, protesters continued to occupy the streets to demand for better governance, particularly the Lekki tollgate. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposed a curfew to deter the protesters, and later, military intervention was deployed against them.

Eye witnesses reported that soldiers opened fired and killed several protesters, who were unarmed and exercising the basic right to peaceful demonstrations. Several others were detained illegally. Despite available evidence, the Nigerian military and government authorities have consistently denied these claims.

On Sunday, marking the anniversary, protesters returned to the tollgate. They were carrying placards to demand the prosecution of Sanwo-Olu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose tenure the massacre occurred.

Armed operatives, however, began firing tear gas at the demonstrators, according to  a Daily Trust report. Some of the protesters were also arrested.

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