Nigerian Police arrest 19 during EndSARS memorial protest

The Nigerian Police Force has dispersed protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the EndSARS protests at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.

The protesters had gathered peacefully to honour those who lost their lives during the 2020 protests against police brutality.

Diaspora Digital Media gathered that Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force opened fire and used tear gas to violently disperse protesters gathered at the EndSARS bus stop, formerly known as Lekki Tollgate.

At least 19 people were arrested, including Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesman of Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), and 17 other members of #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos.

The #EndSARS movement began in 2020 as a call to action against police brutality in Nigeria, specifically targeting the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The protests led to the disbandment of SARS but also resulted in violent crackdowns by security forces.

The Lekki Tollgate has become a symbolic site for protests, commemorating the infamous October 20, 2020 Lekki Tollgate shooting where Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.

Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrests, calling for their immediate release and criticizing the government’s continued suppression of peaceful protests.

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for comment.

The police have not issued an official statement regarding the incident or the use of force during the memorial procession.

Three years after the protests, at least 15 protesters arrested in 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained, mostly without trial, in Lagos jails.

The #EndSARS protests were a watershed moment in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic reforms and an end to systemic injustice.

The protests were sparked by widespread allegations of police brutality, extortion, and extrajudicial killings by SARS.

The protests drew international attention and sparked a national conversation about police reform and accountability.

In response to the protests, the Nigerian government disbanded SARS and established the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

However, critics argue that SWAT is merely a rebranded version of SARS.

The #EndSARS movement has also called for broader reforms, including the prosecution of officers responsible for human rights abuses and the implementation of community policing.

The protests have been met with resistance from the Nigerian government, which has accused protesters of promoting instability and chaos.

International organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the Nigerian government’s crackdown on protesters and called for an independent investigation into the Lekki Tollgate shooting.

About EndSARS

The #EndSARS movement in Nigeria began in 2017, calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to its notorious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion, and arbitrary arrests.

The movement gained momentum in 2020 with widespread protests across Nigeria and globally, leading to the Nigerian government’s announcement of SARS’ disbandment on October 11, 2020.

However, the protests continued, demanding prosecution of officers responsible for abuses, reform of the police force, and implementation of community policing.

Despite some progress, challenges persist. The Lekki Tollgate shooting on October 20, 2020, where Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters, highlighted the ongoing struggle.

Judicial panels were established to investigate SARS’ abuses, but delayed implementation of reforms and lack of accountability remain concerns.

The international community has condemned police brutality and called for independent investigations.

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