#EndSARS memorial: Amnesty, activists tackle police over harassment of protesters

Amnesty International and some Human rights organisations, have tackled the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged harassment of protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

About 23 activists who gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest were reported to have been arrested by the police.

The activists, including three females, were first dispersed by teargas fired by policemen before being rounded up and bundled into an awaiting Black Maria, which transported them to Panti Police Station, Yaba, where they were detained, according to eyewitnesses.

The protesters had converged around 8:30 am at the toll gate with several banners and placards, calling for the full implementation of the reports submitted by various judicial panels of inquiry set up after the 2020 protests.

The #EndSARS protest started on October 1, 2020, and saw youths demonstrating against persistent police misconduct, including killings, brutality, harassment, extortion, and intimidation, particularly by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, while defending the dispersal of the protesters said the police had to prevent traffic disruption at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“They were told to disperse, but they were adamant; we had to use minimal force to disperse them,”

Hundeyin confirmed later in a post on X.com on Sunday afternoon that the arrested protesters had been released.

“All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally see to that,” the PPRO wrote.