Lekki Toll Gate Shooting: Nigeria Remembers the Victims of #EndSARS Crackdown

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Five years after the tragic shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigerians continue to mourn the lives lost and demand justice for victims of the October 20, 2020, incident that shocked the world.

On that fateful evening, soldiers opened fire on peaceful demonstrators who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to protest against police brutality under the banner of the #EndSARS movement. Witnesses reported that protesters were singing the national anthem and waving the Nigerian flag when the gunfire erupted.

Human rights group Amnesty International estimated that at least 12 people were killed, while others sustained varying degrees of injury. However, the Nigerian Army and federal authorities have consistently denied giving any order to shoot or admitting responsibility for the deaths.

The #EndSARS movement, which began as a youth-led campaign calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), quickly grew into a nationwide demand for police reform and better governance. The Lekki Toll Gate incident marked a turning point in the protests, sparking global outrage and condemnation from international organisations and world leaders.

In the aftermath, the Lagos State Government established a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of police brutality and the events of October 20. The panel’s report, released in November 2021, described the shooting as a “massacre”, identifying both military and police officers as being involved in the use of excessive force against civilians.

Despite the panel’s findings, no high-ranking officials or soldiers have been prosecuted in connection with the incident. Many victims and their families continue to seek justice, while civil society groups have called for greater accountability and police reform.

As Nigerians mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, candlelight vigils and memorial processions are being held across major cities to honour the victims and reaffirm the call for justice. Social media platforms are also flooded with the hashtag #EndSARS, as young people renew their demand for a nation free from state violence and impunity.

“The memory of Lekki Toll Gate will forever remind us that freedom and justice must never be taken for granted,” said activist Rinu Oduala, one of the prominent figures of the #EndSARS movement. “We will continue to speak until every victim is remembered and justice is served.”