Civil society organizations, including the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), have condemned the arrests, brutalization, and detention of peaceful protesters commemorating the anniversary of the Lekki Tollgate massacre on October 20, 2020.
On the morning of the protest, police operatives arrested several activists gathered at the Lekki Tollgate. However, lawyer and activist Mr. Inibehe Effiong reported that they had secured the release of 22 activists detained during the incident.
According to police statements, those arrested during the #EndSARS anniversary protests were released later in the day. Demonstrators had gathered around 8:30 a.m. at the toll gate, holding banners and placards demanding the full implementation of the reports submitted by various judicial panels of inquiry established after the 2020 protests against police brutality.
RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma expressed serious concerns about the government’s actions, stating, “These actions raise serious concerns about the government’s violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.” He emphasized that the protest was a vital memorial event to honor victims and advocate for justice and reforms in the security sector. Nwanguma criticized the authorities’ response, describing it as part of an alarming trend of suppressing citizens’ rights and activism regarding police brutality and governance in Nigeria.
Additionally, Amnesty International has raised alarms about ongoing human rights violations by the police, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, and sexual violence, four years after the #EndSARS protests. The organization highlighted the need for accountability and reform to address these persistent issues in the country.