At least 18 people, commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, were arrested by the Nigerian Police at the Lekki Toll Gate on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
The #EndSARS protests, which occurred between October 1 and 20, 2020, were sparked by nationwide outrage over police brutality.
The protests culminated in the infamous Lekki Toll Gate shooting on October 20, 2020, where lives were reportedly lost.
On Sunday, while gathering at the site to mark the anniversary, protesters were tear-gassed and arrested by police officers.
Among those detained were prominent activists, including Hassan Soweto, National Spokesperson of the Youth Rights Campaign, and several other members of the #EndBadGovernance Movement.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, and Omole Ibukun, Initiator of the Creative Change Centre, confirmed the arrests in messages sent to news outlets.
Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress’ 2023 presidential candidate, also tweeted that the arrested protesters were beaten before being transported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Lagos.