The Lagos State Police Command has announced the release of demonstrators arrested during the #EndSARS memorial at Lekki Toll Gate on Sunday.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, all detained protesters have been freed, with Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally overseeing the process at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
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In a post on his X handle, Hundeyin confirmed, “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, also verified the release, stating that all 22 individuals detained during the memorial procession were freed, and their seized belongings were returned.
“We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Lekki massacre,” Effiong wrote on X.
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He added, “We had a discussion with the Commissioner of Police who came over to the State CID in respect of the matter. The items seized from the protesters were also returned to them.”
The demonstrators had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the fourth anniversary of the October 20, 2020 shooting, where peaceful protesters were killed during the #EndSARS demonstrations against police brutality.
They arrived around 8:30 am, holding banners and placards, demanding the implementation of the reports submitted by judicial panels set up after the 2020 protests.
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The police, however, claimed that the protesters had not sought clearance or permission for the gathering, labeling it illegal. Commissioner Olanrewaju Ishola explained, “Constitutionally, they should write to me as the Commissioner of Police of their intention to do so. They did not, and as such, any such gathering is illegal.”
Despite the release, the demonstrators accused the police of brutality during their arrest.
In a video posted on X by Inibehe Effiong, one protester described being beaten and placed in a police Black Maria.
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“We are asking today when it has become illegal to protest in this country,” the protester questioned.
Amnesty International condemned the police’s actions, stating, “Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria police for the violent attack on people who assembled at Lekki Toll Gate to honour peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable.”
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The incident has drawn attention to ongoing tensions surrounding the #EndSARS movement, with protesters continuing to demand justice and accountability four years after the tragic Lekki Toll Gate shooting.
