Protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement were dispersed by officers of the Lagos State Police Command using tear gas on Sunday.
The demonstrators had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate around 8:30 a.m., carrying banners and placards demanding justice for victims of police brutality and calling for the implementation of reforms pledged by the government following the 2020 protests.
According to Lagos State Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, the protest caused significant traffic disruptions in the area. “We asked them to disperse, but they refused, so we had to use minimal force,” he stated, denying any confrontation between the police and protesters.
The #EndSARS movement began in October 2020, with thousands protesting against the abuses committed by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests culminated in the tragic events of October 20, 2020, when security forces reportedly opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.
