LAGOS — Police officers deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos fired tear gas canisters on Tuesday morning to disperse participants—including prominent political figures Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Funso Doherty—gathered for a peaceful wreath-laying memorial marking six years since the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The procession, organized by the civil society coalition Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, brought together political leaders, human rights activists, and residents to honor victims of police brutality and pray for those who lost their lives during the historic 2020 demonstrations.
Chaos broke out shortly before participants could lay commemorative wreaths, as heavily armed police personnel moved in and launched tear gas directly into the gathering.
The sudden deployment triggered widespread panic, sending attendees, journalists, and passersby scrambling for safety amid thick clouds of smoke filling the toll plaza.
Speaking to reporters after escaping the scene, Rhodes-Vivour criticized the police action, describing the dispersal of a peaceful tribute as an unwarranted suppression of civic rights. Doherty similarly condemned the excessive force, calling on security agencies to uphold democratic freedoms and respect fundamental rights to peaceful assembly.
As of the time of reporting, the Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement justifying the use of force or clarifying the circumstances surrounding the disruption.
