The Lagos State Police Command, Officers on Sunday, October 20, fired tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

The protesters, who converged at around 8:30 am, carried banners and placards, demanding the full implementation of the recommendations made by judicial panels of inquiry established after the 2020 protests.

The panels were set up across various states to investigate police brutality and review the demands of the protesters.

The protester who converged at the toll gate was seen fleeing as tear gas was fired, with some reports of shots being fired by the police.

One of the protesters, identified as Iyanu, said he was injured while trying to escape.

They have started firing tear gas at us. I fell into the gutter; I was hit on the head,” he said.

Another protester, Kachi Igwe, confirmed that he was hit but sustained only minor injuries. “I’m not really injured, just a few scratches on my body. Some people have also been arrested,” he added.

The #EndSARS protests, which erupted in October 2020, saw thousands of young Nigerians taking to the streets to protest against police brutality, particularly targeting the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The protests culminated in a violent crackdown at the Lekki Toll Gate, where reports indicated that several demonstrators were killed or injured after the military intervened.

Despite the passage of nearly four years, protest leaders expressed disappointment that many of the recommendations made by the judicial panels remain unimplemented.

The panels were tasked with addressing the key issues raised during the protests, including police reform and compensation for victims of brutality.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the police intervened to prevent disruption of traffic at the toll gate.

They were told to disperse, but they were adamant. We had to use minimal force to disperse them,” he explained, denying any major confrontation with the protesters.

©CDA News