Police Arrest Protesters on #EndSARS Anniversary at Lekki tollgate

Lagos State police have arrested several protesters who gathered at the Lekki tollgate on Sunday to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2020 #EndSARS protest, a movement against police brutality. The protesters, holding placards and chanting in remembrance of the tragic shooting on October 20, 2020, were met with a heavy police presence.

The 2020 protests, sparked by the call to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to widespread reports of brutality, had turned the Lekki tollgate into a symbolic landmark. Despite the disbandment of SARS, demonstrators continued to occupy the streets, leading to the controversial deployment of soldiers, who witnesses say opened fire on unarmed protesters. Although Amnesty International reported that at least 12 people were killed, both the military and the federal government have denied the allegations.

On Sunday, as protesters gathered once more, police officers attempted to disperse the crowd using teargas and gunfire. In the ensuing chaos, several individuals were arrested, though the exact number remains unclear. The situation at the tollgate remains tense, with activists demanding justice and accountability for the 2020 shooting.

The anniversary protests have once again highlighted the lingering tensions between the Nigerian government and youth who are determined to keep the memory of the Lekki tollgate massacre alive, despite official denials and ongoing crackdowns.