Police Disperse #EndSARS Anniversary Gathering at Lekki Toll Gate with Tear Gas

Police broke up a gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate as people came together to mark the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. The event aimed to honor those who lost their lives and to remember the demonstrations against police violence.

Activists and concerned citizens were met with tear gas as they gathered at the toll gate, forcing many to flee the area. Among those present were Lagos State governorship candidates from the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

Despite the police action, the activists pledged to continue their fight for justice and police reforms. They want to keep the memory of the victims alive, even as tensions began to ease after the dispersal.

The #EndSARS protests began in October 2020, with young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality, especially from the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests turned deadly when soldiers fired on demonstrators at the toll gate, an event that remains controversial.

A judicial panel investigated the incident, finding that protesters were shot at and some were killed. However, the Lagos State government rejected key findings of the panel.

Past anniversaries have also seen clashes between police and those gathering to remember the victims. In previous years, police have used tear gas to disperse similar memorials, claiming they were acting against “miscreants.” The #EndSARS movement led to the disbandment of SARS, but calls for accountability and police reform continue.