#EndSARS Memorial: Police Tear Gas Gbadebo, Doherty, Others At Lekki Toll Gate

The toll gate became a major symbol of the protests following the deadly events of October 20, 2020, when security operatives opened fire on protesters demanding an end to police brutality.

Armed police on Tuesday fired teargas at participants marking the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

The incident occurred as Nigerians gathered to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the 2020 nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality, which saw thousands of young people take to the streets to demand an end to abuses by the police, especially operatives of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

SaharaTV was livestreaming the gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, as activists and other Nigerians assembled at the site to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

The toll gate became a major symbol of the protests following the deadly events of October 20, 2020, when security operatives opened fire on protesters demanding an end to police brutality.

Among those present at Tuesday’s gathering were African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidates in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Funso Doherty. Both politicians moved away from the scene after tear gas was fired to disperse the crowd.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the handling of peaceful protests and the treatment of Nigerians seeking to commemorate victims of police brutality.

The Lekki Toll Gate remains a significant site for #EndSARS protesters and families of victims, as the shootings and reported killings by soldiers, police officers and other security operatives during the 2020 demonstrations continue to fuel public anger and demands for accountability.

The sixth anniversary has renewed calls by activists and civil society organisations for justice for victims of police brutality, investigations into alleged abuses by security agencies and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Previous #EndSARS anniversary gatherings at the toll gate have also been disrupted by police, with several participants reportedly arrested and brutalised.

SaharaReporters was unable to obtain comments from the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday’s incident. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, did not answer calls at the time of filing this report.