Nigerians who gathered to remember victims of the #EndSARS protests faced another painful moment on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as police fired tear gas to disperse a memorial gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, disrupting a ceremony planned to honour those who died during the 2020 demonstrations.
The gathering was organised by the Enough is Enough movement to remember victims of police brutality and renew calls for justice, accountability and lasting reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.
The planned ceremony included the laying of wreaths in memory of those killed, injured or reported missing during the protests. However, participants were forced to flee as tear gas spread across the area, preventing the ceremony from going ahead as planned.
Among those affected were Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour, the Lagos governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, and Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Activists, journalists and other Nigerians were also present at the memorial.
Reports said police officers and several police vehicles had arrived at the toll gate before the scheduled ceremony. The Lagos State Police Command had earlier restricted anniversary demonstrations, citing security concerns and the possibility of clashes.
The incident has renewed concerns about the right of Nigerians to gather peacefully and remember people who lost their lives during protests against police abuse.
A Movement That Changed Nigeria
The #EndSARS movement began in October 2020 after years of public anger over allegations of harassment, extortion, torture, unlawful detention and extrajudicial killings linked to the now disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad, known as SARS.
The anger grew following a viral video that appeared to show SARS operatives shooting a young man in Ughelli, Delta State, and driving away with his car.
Young Nigerians took to the streets across the country, demanding an end to police brutality, justice for victims and major changes to policing. The movement quickly grew into one of the most significant youth led protest movements in Nigeria’s recent history.
The Lekki Toll Gate became a major centre of the demonstrations, attracting protesters who called for a country where citizens could live without fear of the people responsible for protecting them.
On October 20, 2020, the shooting of protesters at the toll gate shocked Nigeria and drew international attention. The circumstances surrounding the incident, the number of casualties and responsibility for the violence have remained subjects of dispute.
A Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry later investigated the incident and documented deaths and serious injuries connected to the shootings. However, disagreements over the findings and the government’s response have continued to fuel demands for accountability.
Families Still Want Answers
Six years after the protests, families of victims and survivors are still seeking justice, compensation and answers about what happened to their loved ones.
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has called on the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to issue a public apology, investigate abuses and prosecute officers found responsible through due process.
The organisation has also demanded a comprehensive compensation programme for victims and sustained medical and psychological support for survivors.
One case that continues to draw concern is that of Pelumi Onifade, a 20 year old journalist who was covering protest related events in Lagos in October 2020. Accounts cited by the organisation say he was arrested by Lagos State Task Force personnel and later died from a gunshot wound. Calls have continued for the circumstances of his death to be fully investigated and for anyone found responsible to face the law.
The campaigners say remembrance must go beyond annual ceremonies and public statements. They want transparent investigations, compensation for affected families and clear action against officers found guilty of abuse.
Activists Condemn the Tear Gas
The use of tear gas at the memorial has drawn condemnation from activists and political figures who say Nigerians should be allowed to honour victims without fear or intimidation.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also condemned the police action and renewed calls for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the Lekki shootings.
Rights advocates have questioned why security forces would disperse people gathered to remember victims of police brutality. They argue that peaceful assemblies are protected by the Constitution and that security agencies should protect citizens exercising their rights rather than prevent lawful remembrance.
The incident has also revived concerns about previous EndSARS anniversaries, when security forces dispersed gatherings at the Lekki Toll Gate. Similar confrontations were reported in 2021 and 2024.
Although SARS was disbanded in October 2020, campaigners say the larger demands for police accountability and an end to abuse have yet to be fully met.
The Fight for Police Reform Continues
For many Nigerians, #EndSARS was never only about one police unit. It was a demand for a system in which law enforcement officers respect human rights, answer for their actions and protect every citizen regardless of age, appearance or social status.
Civil society groups have called for stronger independent oversight, proper investigations into complaints, punishment for proven misconduct and better protection for peaceful protesters.
They have also urged the government to provide outstanding compensation, support survivors dealing with physical injuries and emotional trauma, and preserve the history of the movement so future generations understand what happened.
The renewed calls come amid continuing complaints about police brutality, unlawful detention, extortion and excessive use of force in different parts of the country.
Campaigners warn that disbanding SARS cannot be considered a complete solution if similar abuses continue under other police units.
Six Years Later, The Demand Remains
The sixth anniversary of #EndSARS has once again brought Nigeria face to face with painful memories of October 2020.
For the families who lost loved ones, the survivors who still carry physical and emotional scars, and the young people who risked their safety to demand change, the struggle remains deeply personal.
The disruption of the Lekki memorial has added another chapter to a story that many Nigerians believe remains unfinished.
Six years after the protests, the central demands remain clear: justice for victims, compensation for affected families, accountability for security officers found responsible for abuses and meaningful police reform.
The message of #EndSARS continues to echo across Nigeria. Remembering the dead matters, but ensuring that the abuses they protested against are never repeated matters just as much.
