LAGOS, Nigeria — October 20, 2026

Police officers fired tear gas at Nigerians gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, disrupting a planned memorial ceremony for victims of police brutality.

The gathering, organized by the Enough is Enough (EiE) movement, brought together residents, journalists, activists and political figures who assembled to honor those who lost their lives during the demonstrations and renew calls for police accountability and reform. The planned wreath-laying ceremony was disrupted before participants could complete it. TheCable reported.

Among those affected were Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to reports from the scene, participants scrambled for safety as tear gas spread across the toll plaza. The incident once again placed the handling of public demonstrations and citizens’ right to peaceful assembly at the center of public discussion.

Why Nigerians Gathered at Lekki Toll Gate

The October 20 commemoration marks the anniversary of the #EndSARS movement, which gained nationwide momentum in 2020 as young Nigerians protested against police brutality, extortion, unlawful arrests and alleged extrajudicial killings, particularly those associated with the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Lekki Toll Gate became a defining location in the movement following the October 20, 2020, shooting of demonstrators by military personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident, the number of casualties and questions of accountability generated widespread controversy and calls for an independent investigation.

A Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry subsequently examined the incident and made findings concerning the shooting, injuries and deaths. Disagreements over aspects of the panel’s conclusions have continued to shape public debate.

Although the federal government announced the disbandment of SARS in October 2020, activists have continued to demand accountability for alleged abuses, compensation for victims and comprehensive reforms to policing.

Renewed Questions About the Right to Protest

The latest incident has renewed questions about how Nigerian authorities manage peaceful gatherings organized to commemorate victims of alleged human rights abuses.

The use of tear gas to disperse a memorial gathering is particularly significant because the event was intended to honor people associated with a movement against police brutality.

The circumstances surrounding the police action, including the operational justification for deploying tear gas, require clarification from the Lagos State Police Command. Any official explanation should be considered alongside eyewitness accounts and available video evidence.

The incident also revives a recurring dispute between security agencies and activists over the regulation of public demonstrations, public order and the protection of constitutionally recognized rights.

For families of victims and campaigners, annual commemorations serve as opportunities to keep demands for justice and institutional reform in the public conversation.

What Happens Next?

Attention is likely to focus on whether the police will explain the decision to disperse the gathering, whether any participants were arrested or injured, and whether the authorities will address renewed calls for accountability.

As of the reports cited for this article, no verified official police explanation for Tuesday’s specific operation is included here.

The latest disruption demonstrates that six years after the #EndSARS protests began, questions surrounding police accountability, the treatment of demonstrators and the implementation of reform recommendations remain significant issues in Nigeria’s public debate.

Note: Six years after #EndSARS, the disruption of a memorial gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate has renewed scrutiny of police conduct and the protection of peaceful assembly. The central questions remain whether past demands for accountability have been adequately addressed and how authorities will ensure that citizens can commemorate victims without unnecessary confrontation.

Source:

TheCable - Police teargas Rhodes-Vivour, Funso Doherty during #EndSARS memorial