#EndSARS Memorial: Police Teargas, Disperse Residents, Political Figures from Laying Wreaths

On Tuesday morning, police officers in Lagos fired tear gas to disperse a gathering of residents, journalists, and political figures at the Lekki Tollgate. The memorial, organized by the Enough is Enough movement, had been planned to commemorate the victims of the #EndSARS protests that took place in October 2020. About 30 police trucks and armed personnel were present at the tollgate as part of the police's restriction on street demonstrations commemorating the anniversary.

Among those affected by the police action were political candidates Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Funso Doherty, who were present at the gathering and had come bearing wreaths. The memorial aimed to honor those who lost their lives during the protests, which began as a response to police brutality, extortion, and extrajudicial killings.

The police had warned that only indoor and virtual events would be allowed to mark the anniversary, citing intelligence reports of possible clashes. The deployment of police forces to enforce this directive resulted in the disruption of the memorial, preventing participants from laying wreaths to honor the victims. The Lekki Tollgate has since become a focal point for anniversary gatherings by those seeking to remember the victims and revisit the demands for police reform that emerged from the protests six years ago.