Officers of the Lagos State Police Command used tear gas to disperse protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement at the Lekki Toll Gate on Sunday morning.
The protest began around 8:30 AM, where participants gathered with banners and placards demanding the full implementation of reports from various judicial panels established after the 2020 protests.
These panels were created to address the grievances raised during the nationwide protests against police brutality, particularly by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The #EndSARS protests, which erupted in October 2020, saw thousands of youths rallying across Nigeria against police harassment and violence.
The movement reached a tragic climax at the Lekki Toll Gate, where several protesters were reportedly killed and many injured following military intervention.
Nearly four years later, protest leaders expressed disappointment over the lack of action on many recommendations made by these judicial panels. One protester, identified as Excel, recounted his experience: “They have started firing teargas at us. I fell into the gutter; I was hit on the head,” he said.
Another protester, Bayo Are, reported minor injuries and mentioned that some individuals had been arrested.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Police Command, stated that there was no confrontation but emphasized that police action was necessary to prevent traffic disruptions at the toll gate. “They were told to disperse, but they were adamant; we had to use minimal force to disperse them,” Hundeyin said.
Reports indicate that at least 18 protesters were arrested during the commemoration. Activists have condemned these arrests, calling for their immediate release and asserting that peaceful protest is a fundamental right.
