Protesters released by police after detention for commemorating EndSARS anniversary 

The Lagos State Police Command has released the EndSARS protesters detained early Sunday during a gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2020 shooting incident.

Police spokesman SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the release on his official X account, noting that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally oversaw the process. He stated, “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”

The arrests took place as demonstrators assembled to remember the victims of the October 20, 2020, shooting, where soldiers allegedly fired on peaceful protesters during the EndSARS movement against police brutality. The reasons for their arrest remain unclear.

In a video shared online, some detainees reported that police officers assaulted them simply for gathering to honor the victims.

Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), confirmed the release and described the police’s conduct as hypocritical. “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came to Panti police station, pleading hypocritically. The whole brutalisation, assault, and arrest occurred in his presence,” he recounted.

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Soweto also alleged that several protesters sustained injuries during the police crackdown. “One comrade had blood gushing from his nose, while two others—a male and a female—were sexually molested. Another male comrade was stripped naked, and we had to tie his trousers with a rope to preserve his dignity,” he said, labeling the incident a violation of their rights. He added, “We want justice, and we won’t stop until we get it,” emphasizing their ongoing fight against anti-poor policies.

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, also reported the arrests on Twitter, noting that protesters were beaten before being transported in a police van to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba.

A user on X, identified as Frednardo da Vinci, shared a video showing protesters singing solidarity songs in a moving vehicle, with one stating, “We have just been arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate where we marched to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the victims of EndSARS.”

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also claimed responsibility for securing the release of the 22 activists, sharing on X: “We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Lekki massacre. We had a discussion with the Commissioner of Police, who came over to the State CID in respect of the matter. The items seized from the protesters were also returned to them.”

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