Kehinde Fajobi
Amnesty International on Sunday criticised the arrest of peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement.
The protesters had gathered to honour those killed during the 2020 demonstrations against police brutality and to demand the implementation of judicial panel reports that followed the protests.
The peaceful memorial, which began at 8:30 am, saw protesters carrying banners and placards calling for justice. However, police officers reportedly used tear gas to disperse the gathering and arrested several participants.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Amnesty International condemned the police’s actions, describing them as “unacceptable.”
The group said, “Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria police for the violent attack on people who assembled at Lekki Toll Gate to honour peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in October 2020. The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable.”
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also confirmed the arrest of 18 activists, including Comrade Taiwo Soweto, accusing the police of brutality.
“They were brutalized and are currently being detained in State CID Panti by the police for commemorating the memorial of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre,” Effiong said on X.
He described the protesters as entirely peaceful and vowed to take legal steps to secure their release.
Effiong stressed that the actions of the police were unconstitutional, stating, “This is unacceptable. We will do everything under the law to secure their release.”
The detainees were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba, Lagos, following their arrest, sparking widespread condemnation from civil society groups.