Francis Iwuchukwu
Amnesty International has strongly criticized the arrest of protesters commemorating the #EndSARS movement at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on Sunday.
The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the 2020 protests against police brutality, which saw many Nigerians take to the streets demanding an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The memorial event, which began around 8:30 a.m., saw participants carrying banners and placards, calling for the full implementation of recommendations from judicial panels that were established after the 2020 protests.
Despite the peaceful nature of the gathering, police authorities reportedly moved in, using tear gas to disperse the crowd and arresting several individuals.
In a statement on social media platform X, Amnesty International condemned the actions of the Lagos State Police Command, labelling the use of force and the arrests as “unacceptable.”
“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 Oct. 2020.
“The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable,” the organization stated.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also highlighted the situation, reporting that around 18 activists, including Comrade Taiwo Soweto, were detained by police.
Effiong asserted that the protesters remained peaceful and did not pose any threat to public order, making the police actions unconstitutional.
“Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto and 17 other activists have been arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate,” Effiong shared on X.
“They were brutalized and are currently being detained at the State CID Panti by the police for commemorating the memorial of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre.
“They were entirely peaceful and did not disrupt public peace in any way. We will do everything under the law to secure their release. This is unconstitutional and unacceptable,” he stated.
The actions of the police have drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for the release of those detained and for accountability regarding the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
The #EndSARS movement, which gained international attention in October 2020, remains a symbol of the fight against police brutality in Nigeria, with many calling for the fulfilment of justice for those affected.
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