JUST IN: On the anniversary of the #ENDSARS protests, police have fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators at the Lekki toll gate. The event has drawn significant attention as activists gather to commemorate the movement against police brutality in Nigeria. Further updates on the situation are expected as tensions rise at the scene.
Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have fired tear gas to disperse protesters rallying to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. Videos from Sunday morning showed demonstrators fleeing as police fired shots in an effort to control the crowd.
The protesters had gathered around 8:30 a.m. at the Lekki toll gate, holding banners and placards demanding the full implementation of reports submitted by various judicial panels of inquiry established after the 2020 protests. The situation remains tense as authorities respond to the gathering.
In October 2020, thousands of youths gathered in major cities across Nigeria to protest against the constant harassment, killings, and extortion by officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police. The protests culminated at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where several youths were reportedly killed and many others severely injured following the intervention of the Nigerian military.
In the aftermath, judicial panels were established across various states to assess and review the protesters’ demands. However, nearly four years later, protest leaders have expressed deep regret that many of the panels’ recommendations remain unimplemented, prompting renewed calls for accountability and justice during the anniversary commemorations.
