Nigeria Police Arrests EndSARS Demonstrators on 4th Anniversary of Lekki Tollgate Massacre
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a group of protesters who were commemorating the 4th anniversary of the EndSARS memorial at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State on Sunday, October 20, 2024. The protesters were locked up in a black maria, with some of them claiming that the police used force to disrupt their peaceful march.
According to eyewitnesses, the police fired shots and released tear gas to disperse the crowd, a tactic that has been widely condemned by human rights groups. The incident has raised concerns about the continued brutality of the Nigerian security forces, particularly in relation to peaceful protests.
The EndSARS movement, which began in 2020, was a nationwide campaign to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit notorious for its human rights abuses. On October 20, 2020, the Nigerian military opened fire on peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate, resulting in the deaths of several unarmed youths. Since then, the tollgate has become a symbolic site for EndSARS protests, with activists using the anniversary to remember the victims and continue their demands for justice and police reform.
The latest incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for the release of the arrested protesters and condemning the police’s use of force against peaceful demonstrators. The police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, further fueling concerns about their accountability and commitment to human rights.
As the Nigerian government continues to grapple with the legacy of the EndSARS movement, the latest incident at Lekki Tollgate serves as a stark reminder of the need for police reform and the protection of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest.
