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Nigeria police disperse #EndSARS memorial at Lekki tollgate with tear gas
•2 min read•1 source
Nigeria police in Lagos used tear gas on Tuesday to disperse a crowd gathered at the Lekki tollgate for a memorial service. The event was held to honor the victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, which saw young Nigerians take to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Several prominent political figures were present at the tollgate to pay their respects before the police intervention began. Among those identified in the crowd were Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, and Funso Doherty, representing the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The attendees had gathered to offer tributes and maintain the memory of those who lost their lives during the historic 2020 demonstrations.
The disruption at the tollgate reflects the continued tension surrounding the legacy of the #EndSARS movement and the site itself. The Lekki tollgate became a focal point of global attention in 2020 when security forces were reported to have opened fire on unarmed protesters. This recent police action indicates that authorities remain wary of public gatherings at the location, often citing security concerns and the maintenance of traffic flow to justify the use of force to disperse memorial attendees.
