Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Police arrest protesters celebrating #EndSARS fourth anniversary at Lekki Toll Gate

One of the protesters said he was speaking from a Black Maria.

• October 20, 2024
Lagos Police/Lekki Toll gate/The protesters
Lagos Police, Lekki Toll gate and The protesters

The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday arrested some protesters marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS massacre by security operatives at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos State, on October 20, 2020.

Operatives of the state police command, who had met the protesters carrying banners and placards with anti-government inscriptions and singing solidarity songs, warned the protesters against going ahead with the procession, before they fired teargas to disperse them.

Videos surfaced on X showed some of the protesters bundled into different police Black Marias, and being driven to a yet-to-be-ascertained location.

One of the protesters in the Black Maria showed in the video said, “A group of protesters who wanted to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS Lekki Tollgate massacre, were apprehended by a group of policemen under the leadership of the commissioner of police in Lagos State.”

“I’m right now speaking to you from a Black Maria. We’ve been beaten, brutalised and my glasses have been damaged. We’re asking here today, when did the right to commemorate the dead become illegal and criminalised in this country? We’re only here to mark the passing of our brothers and sisters who were brutally killed four years ago at the Lekki Tollgate.

He called on the international media and community to prevail on the Bola Tinubu government, to stop further attacks on protesters, insisting that they were never going to give up their rights.

According to Sahara Reporters, the National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Remilekun Orunsolu, Olamide Thomas, Michael Adedeji, Adeseye Eshe, and Olamilekan Sanusi, are among 18 protesters arrested at the Lekki Tollgate.

As of the time of this report was filed, the state police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, has yet to respond to Peoples Gazette’s enquiry about the arrest.

Mr Hundeyin however on his X platform assured residents of their safety saying, “10:50am. Lagosians are happy to move freely without traffic jam, harassment or hindrance. Safety and security for Lagosians is what we assure.’’

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant

World

Netanyahu sacks Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over Gaza war disagreements

Mr Gallant, a senior figure in Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party, had become increasingly vocal about his differences with the prime minister.

United Nations

World

Two billion urban residents will be exposed to additional temperature increase by 2040: UN

A new UN report published Tuesday revealed that the temperature increase would affect mostly urban residents.

Nigeria Exchange (NGX)

Economy

NGX rebounds, investors gain N131 billion

Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled higher relative to the previous session.

Abdullahi Sule

States

Gov Sule presents N156.6 billion supplementary budget to Nasarawa assembly

The supplementary appropriation bill, if approved, would take the Nasarawa State government’s 2024 budget to N356.5 billion.

Ifeanyi Okowa

Politics

Alleged Fraud: PDP demands release of Okowa, accuses EFCC of witch-hunting opposition

EFCC operatives had confirmed the arrest of Mr Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

Tinubu decorates acting COAS Oluyede

NationWide

Tinubu decorates acting COAS Oluyede with new rank

The decoration of the acting army chief was held at Mr Tinubu’s office, according to a statement by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga.