The Lagos State Police Command has released protesters arrested during a commemoration at the Lekki Toll Gate in the early hours of Sunday. The protesters had gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, where soldiers allegedly fired on peaceful EndSARS demonstrators protesting against police brutality.
The release of the protesters was confirmed by the Command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who announced via his official X page that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally oversaw the process. Hundeyin stated: “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”
The reason for their initial arrest remains unclear, as Hundeyin did not respond to inquiries, and attempts to reach him went unanswered.
In a video obtained by Vanguard, some of the protesters claimed they were beaten by police officers simply for assembling to honour the victims of the 2020 shooting. Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), also confirmed the release, noting that the Commissioner of Police facilitated it after visiting Panti Police Station. Soweto added, “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came to Panti police station, pleading hypocritically. The whole brutalisation, assault, and arrest occurred in his presence.