Amnesty International has condemned the Nigeria Police Force over the use of tear gas against people who gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday to commemorate victims of the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The human rights organisation said the gathering was organised to honour protesters killed during demonstrations against police brutality on 20 October 2020.
In a statement, Amnesty International criticised the police response, saying the use of tear gas showed disregard for the victims and survivors of the crackdown six years ago.
“The reckless use of tear gas shows utter contempt for the victims and survivors of the atrocities of government of Nigeria six years ago,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International said the incident raised fresh concerns about the protection of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
“The attacks on the memorial gathering at Lekki Toll Gate today show once again that nothing has changed about the attitude of Nigeria police toward people’s right to peaceful assembly,” it added.
The organisation called on the authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that officers suspected of involvement are held accountable through fair trials.
“The authorities must investigate today’s incident to ensure that police officers suspected of responsibility are held to account in fair trials,” Amnesty International said.
It stressed that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and that attacks on people exercising that right are unlawful.
“Attack on peaceful assembly is unlawful,” the organisation declared.
Amnesty International also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to end what it described as persistent attacks on human rights.
“President Bola Tinubu’s government must end its consistent attacks on human rights,” it said.
The EndSARS protests erupted in October 2020, with demonstrators demanding an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a police unit accused of widespread abuses.
The Lekki Toll Gate became a major focal point of the protests. The events of 20 October 2020 remain a significant part of Nigeria’s human rights debate, with activists and survivors continuing to demand accountability and justice for those affected.
Amnesty slams police over tear-gassing of EndSARS memorial at Lekki