Tension erupted on Sunday morning at the Lekki Toll Gate as officers of the Lagos State Police Command unleashed teargas on protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement.
Disturbing videos captured the chaotic scenes, showing protesters scampering for safety as gunshots echoed in the background, sending shockwaves through social media.
The protesters had gathered as early as 8:30 am, wielding banners and placards demanding justice and the full implementation of the judicial panels' reports established in the wake of the 2020 protests. Their peaceful rally was abruptly disrupted as law enforcement officers stormed the scene, firing teargas to disperse the crowd.
“It was terrifying,” recounted Excel, one of the protesters. “They started shooting teargas, and I fell into a gutter while trying to escape. I hit my head badly.”
Another protester, Bayo Are, revealed he was also injured during the melee. “I got a few scratches, but others were not so lucky. Some people have already been arrested,” he said.
The #EndSARS protests of October 2020 were a turning point in Nigeria’s history, with thousands of youths mobilizing across cities to demand an end to police brutality and misconduct by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). However, the protests reached a tragic climax on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate, where several protesters were reportedly killed and many more injured when military forces opened fire.
In response to the public outcry, judicial panels were set up to investigate and address the protesters' demands. Yet, four years on, protest leaders decry the lack of action, lamenting that many of the panels' key recommendations remain ignored.
Despite the protesters' peaceful intentions, the police claimed their actions were necessary to prevent disruptions. Speaking to reporters, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, defended the crackdown.
“They were asked to leave, but they refused,” Hundeyin stated. “To avoid traffic gridlock at the toll gate, we applied minimal force to disperse them.”
The violent dispersal has reignited public anger, with many questioning why a peaceful remembrance was met with such hostility. Social media is ablaze with criticisms, as Nigerians express frustration over the authorities' handling of the situation.
Today’s events have cast a grim shadow over the memory of October 20, 2020, serving as a stark reminder that, four years later, justice remains elusive.
