The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday arrested and later released protesters who gathered at the Lekki Tollgate to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests and the 20 October 2020 shooting incident.
The protesters had converged at the tollgate early Sunday morning to honour victims of the 2020 military crackdown.
Waving placards and chanting songs, they commemorated the day soldiers reportedly opened fire on unarmed protesters at the tollgate.
Although witnesses claimed several deaths were recorded, military and federal authorities have repeatedly denied any killings. Amnesty International reported at least 12 fatalities during the crackdown.
Police operatives at the scene fired teargas and gunshots to disperse the crowd, arresting about 20 protesters.
Despite the police crackdown, other activists arrived later to continue the memorial rally.
Amnesty International condemned the police action in a post on X, stating, “The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable.”
The group added, “Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria police for the violent attack on people who assembled at Lekki Toll Gate to honour peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in Oct. 2020.”
Later, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong announced the release of the arrested protesters.
“We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate,” Effiong tweeted, adding that police had also returned seized items.
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