#EndSARS Memorial: Police Teargas, Disperse Residents, Political Figures from Laying Wreaths
Chiemelie Ezeobi
Police officers on Tuesday morning fired tear gas to disperse residents, journalists and political figures, who gathered at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos for a memorial in honour of victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The incident disrupted the memorial organised by the Enough is Enough movement before participants could lay wreaths at the tollgate to honour those who lost their lives during the protests.
About 30 police trucks and armed personnel were stationed at the tollgate as the Lagos State Police Command enforced its restriction on street demonstrations commemorating the anniversary.
Among those affected by the police action were the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, who were present at the gathering and came bearing wreaths.
The memorial was organised to remember victims of the protests, which began in October 2020 and drew thousands of Nigerians into demonstrations against police brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings.
Participants had gathered at the tollgate for the commemoration, but the event was cut short when police officers deployed to the venue fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The planned wreath-laying ceremony could not take place before the gathering was disrupted.
The police had earlier warned that only indoor and virtual events would be permitted to mark the anniversary, citing intelligence reports about possible clashes involving opposing groups.
The Lagos State Police Command’s restriction on street demonstrations formed the backdrop to Tuesday’s incident, with the deployment of police trucks and armed personnel to the tollgate to enforce the directive.
The command’s warning came ahead of commemorative activities marking six years since the #EndSARS protests, which became a major national movement against abuses by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protests spread across several parts of Nigeria as demonstrators demanded an end to police brutality and extortion, accountability for alleged abuses and reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
The Lekki tollgate became one of the most prominent locations associated with the demonstrations.
It has since remained a focal point for anniversary gatherings by people seeking to remember the victims and revisit the demands that brought protesters onto the streets in 2020.
The Enough is Enough movement’s memorial was among the activities planned to commemorate those who died during the protests. The wreath-laying was intended to provide participants with an opportunity to pay their respects at the tollgate.
However, the police deployment and firing of tear gas prevented the ceremony from proceeding as planned.
The #EndSARS protests began in October 2020 amid widespread anger over alleged abuses by SARS operatives, including extortion, harassment and extrajudicial killings.
The movement drew participation from young Nigerians and other residents who demanded changes in policing and greater accountability for officers accused of misconduct.
Six years later, the Lekki tollgate remains a significant location in the public remembrance of the protests, with anniversary activities centred on honouring victims and recalling the demands for police reform.