Heavily-armed security operatives were sighted on Friday as the Lekki Concession Company reopened the Lekki Tollgate on Friday.

The firm announced it would begin toll collection at the tollgate on April 16.

“Following months of engagement with key stakeholders within the Eti-Osa /Lekki-Epe area, Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) hereby officially announces the formal return to tolling operations on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza. However, toll payment will not commence until April 16, 2022,” said LCC chair Yomi Omomuwasan.

There was a heavy presence of security operatives at the tollgate on Friday morning.

Vehicles were seen moving freely in the area on Friday morning, but protesters were expected to converge on the toll plaza.

On Thursday, police commissioner Abiodun Alabi warned the residents against protesting at the toll plaza.

“While the command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons,” said a police statement.

Nigerian youths embarked on a nationwide protest against police brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings of the now-defunct police unit Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

However, the peaceful protests came to a halt when on October 20, 2020, soldiers drafted to the tollgate opened fire on the unarmed protesters.