#EndSARS: Police Fire Tear Gas at Lekki Memorial, Disrupt Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Police officers on Tuesday fired tear gas to disperse a gathering at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos during a memorial organised to honour victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, disrupting a planned wreath-laying ceremony.
The incident occurred on October 20, the sixth anniversary of the day soldiers opened fire on protesters at the tollgate during demonstrations against police brutality.
According to reports by The Punch and Channels Television, residents, activists, journalists and political figures were among those gathered at the location when the police deployed tear gas.
Two Lagos governorship candidates, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress and Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, were among those present.
The memorial was organised by the Enough is Enough (EiE) movement to remember those who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests.
A report by The Punch said participants were unable to proceed with the planned wreath-laying ceremony after police officers fired tear gas canisters into the area.
Footage referenced in the newspaper’s report showed participants scrambling for safety as the tear gas spread.
Channels Television also reported that the gathering was disrupted and participants were forced to flee the area.
However, the available reports did not establish the specific reason the police decided to disperse the gathering. An official explanation from the Lagos State Police Command was not available in the sources reviewed for this report.
Six years after #EndSARS
The incident occurred six years after young Nigerians took to the streets in October 2020 to demand an end to police brutality, harassment and extortion, particularly abuses associated with the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The demonstrations spread across several Nigerian cities, with the Lekki tollgate becoming one of the movement’s most prominent locations.
On the night of October 20, 2020, soldiers opened fire on protesters at the tollgate. The incident triggered national and international condemnation and left continuing questions about casualties, responsibility and accountability.
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry established to investigate the incident concluded that protesters had been shot at, injured and killed. The Lagos State Government subsequently rejected key aspects of the panel’s findings, including its conclusions concerning casualties.
The #EndSARS movement led to the disbandment of SARS in October 2020. However, demands for justice for victims, compensation and broader police reforms have continued.
Previous disruptions at the tollgate
The use of tear gas at the 2026 memorial follows previous confrontations between security operatives and people who gathered at the tollgate to commemorate the protests.
In October 2021, police fired tear gas during a memorial procession organised by youths and celebrities. The then Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said officers were dispersing people he described as miscreants rather than participants in the procession.
In October 2022, police again deployed tear gas against people gathered at the tollgate for the second anniversary of the protests. Journalists covering the event were also reportedly affected.
During the fourth anniversary in October 2024, police fired tear gas and arrested demonstrators who had gathered at the location. The Lagos State Police Command subsequently confirmed the release of those arrested.
In 2025, Enough is Enough Nigeria reported that its executive director, Opeyemi Adamolekun, was harassed by security operatives while attempting to lay flowers at the tollgate in remembrance of victims.
The latest incident has again drawn attention to the circumstances under which citizens can gather to commemorate the victims of the protests.
As of the time of this report, the sources reviewed did not provide an official police explanation for Tuesday’s use of tear gas or establish whether an investigation into the incident had been announced.
