By Omotayo Edubi
Nigerians have renewed calls for justice and accountability as the country marks six years since the October 20, 2020, shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State, where security forces opened fire on young people protesting against police brutality.
Key Highlights
- Nigerians mark six years since the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting during the #EndSARS protests.
- Social media users express grief, frustration and disillusionment, and renew demands for justice.
- The Lagos judicial panel described the incident as a massacre in its November 2021 report; the military disputed aspects of the findings.
- Members of the Obidient Movement mark the day with prayers, balloon releases and a condolence register.
- Calls persist for apologies, prosecutions, compensation for victims and comprehensive police reform.
The anniversary has revived painful memories of the #EndSARS movement, with social media users expressing grief over the incident, questioning the impact of the protests and demanding reforms to prevent a recurrence of such violence.
How the #EndSARS Protests Unfolded
On October 20, 2020, hundreds of young Nigerians gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate as part of nationwide demonstrations against police brutality, particularly the alleged abuses committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the police.
The protests began earlier that month following renewed allegations of harassment, extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings involving police officers.
Demonstrators demanded the disbandment of SARS, justice for victims of police brutality, the prosecution of erring officers and broader reforms within the country’s security agencies.
Although the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the dissolution of SARS on October 11, 2020, protesters continued their demonstrations, insisting that previous promises of reform had not adequately addressed the problem.
The Lekki Toll Gate became one of the most prominent protest locations, attracting young Nigerians who occupied the area for days, singing the national anthem, displaying placards and calling for a safer and more accountable country.
The demonstration took a tragic turn on the evening of October 20, when soldiers arrived at the toll gate and opened fire on protesters.
The incident was widely condemned and attracted international attention, prompting questions about the deployment of military personnel against unarmed demonstrators.
A subsequent investigation by CNN examined video footage, eyewitness accounts and other evidence surrounding the shooting, challenging aspects of the Nigerian authorities’ initial account of the incident.
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS-Related Abuses and Other Matters also investigated the incident.
In its report submitted in November 2021, the panel described the Lekki incident as a massacre and concluded that the army and police were responsible for acts of human rights violations at the toll gate. The military disputed aspects of the findings.
The incident remains one of the most controversial episodes in Nigeria’s recent history, with disagreements persisting over the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the number of people killed and the extent of accountability for the victims.
Six Years After: Grief, Anger and Disillusionment
Six years later, the anniversary has once again placed the demands of affected families, activists and civil society organisations in the national conversation.
Members of the Obidient Movement are marking the occasion with prayers, balloon releases and a condolence register in remembrance of those affected by the shooting.
Moses Paul described the anniversary as an opportunity to rekindle the nation’s conscience and reflect on the sacrifices made by young Nigerians who demanded a better country.
On social media, Nigerians have shared emotional tributes and expressed frustration over what they consider the limited progress made in addressing the issues that triggered the protests.
An X user, @Latifat_writes, called for the tragedy never to be repeated, lamenting the loss of young Nigerians who took to the streets to demand their fundamental rights.
“What happened in Lekki Toll Gate should not repeat itself again. Fathers, brothers, and sons were lost in the battlefield while fighting for their basic rights,” the user wrote.
Expressing disappointment over the perceived failure of the protests to produce lasting political change, the user added, “We have tried. We have cried. We have shouted. Yet, none of our plea got to them.”
Another user, @Nursebassy, connected the anniversary to the continuing loss of lives in Nigeria, particularly amid widespread insecurity and concerns about accountability.
“Six years later, and Nigerians are still losing their lives while those in power act like human life means nothing,” the user said.
The user further questioned why accountability remained a challenge, asking, “From #EndSARS to the countless lives lost to insecurity, how many more Nigerians must die before accountability becomes a priority?”
Meanwhile, @shaks_man questioned whether the sacrifices made during the #EndSARS protests had yielded meaningful results, expressing disillusionment with the country’s political situation.
“Sometimes you look back and ask what did that protest yield? Most of us are back now tweaking ass for same government,” the user wrote.
The user also questioned whether the country was worth dying for in the struggle for change, urging Nigerians to prioritise their safety.
“Patriotic or not, in all you do… make sure you stay ALIVE!” the user added.
Read also:
- Ikorodu Police-Youth Clash Sparks Outrage As Nigerians Raise Extortion, #EndSARS Concerns
- Lai Mohammed stirs fresh outrage with claim that no one has been reported missing since Lekki Toll Gate shooting
- Six Years After Disappearance, DNA Confirms Missing #EndSARS Reporter’s Identity
In another lengthy post, X user @firstladyship revisited the events of October 20, 2020, describing the shooting as a tragedy whose consequences continue to affect the country.
The user recalled how protesters remained at the toll gate despite warnings that soldiers were approaching, believing their placards, voices and the national anthem would protect them.
“We were wrong!” the user wrote, describing the moment soldiers arrived and opened fire on the demonstrators.
@firstladyship also criticised the government’s handling of the incident, alleging that the authorities had failed to deliver justice to the victims and their families.
The user further accused the Nigerian Army of genocide, an allegation that has not been established by any court or official inquiry, and referred to the CNN investigation and subsequent reports as evidence supporting the demand for accountability.
The post also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s reported comments about the protesters and called for justice, closure for bereaved families and an end to impunity.
Demands for Justice and Reform Remain
Beyond the anniversary commemorations, the reactions have renewed attention to longstanding demands for official apologies, investigations, prosecutions where evidence supports criminal charges, compensation for victims and their families, and comprehensive police reforms.
For many Nigerians, the significance of the Lekki Toll Gate shooting extends beyond the events of one night. The incident has become a symbol of the struggle for civil liberties, the right to peaceful protest and the responsibility of security agencies to protect citizens rather than expose them to harm.
The #EndSARS movement also raised broader questions about youth participation in governance, institutional accountability and the relationship between citizens and the state.
As Nigerians remember the victims six years later, the reactions reflect a mixture of grief, anger, disappointment and determination. While some question whether the protests achieved their objectives, others insist that the demands for justice and reform remain relevant.
For families still seeking answers and campaigners demanding accountability, the anniversary serves as a reminder that the issues raised in October 2020 have not disappeared from Nigeria’s public consciousness.
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