Police fire tear gas at Lagos #EndSARS memorial

On 21 October, police used tear gas at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos to disperse a gathering that had been assembled to mark the anniversary of the 2020 EndSARS protests. The memorial, organised by the Enough is Enough movement, had attracted residents, journalists and political figures, including governorship candidates Gbadebo Rhodes‑Vivour of the African Democratic Congress and Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The Lagos State Police Command had previously issued a directive that street demonstrations would not be allowed for the anniversary and that only indoor or virtual events were permitted, citing intelligence reports of potential clashes. In line with that order, about 30 police trucks and armed officers were positioned at the tollgate to enforce the restriction.

As the crowd grew, police officers fired tear gas canisters into the area. Video footage released by local media shows participants scrambling for cover and some individuals gasping for breath as the chemical agent spread. The tear‑gas deployment halted the planned wreath‑laying ceremony and forced attendees to leave the site.

No injuries were reported in the incident, according to a police source. However, the disruption prevented the memorial from proceeding as intended, and organisers said the event could not resume before the tear‑gas was discharged.

The Lekki Tollgate has long been a symbolic site for the EndSARS movement, where thousands of demonstrators marched in October 2020 to demand an end to police brutality and reforms within the Nigeria Police Force. The 2026 gathering aimed to honour those who lost their lives during the protests, but the police action effectively ended the commemoration that day.

The incident has drawn criticism from civil society groups and political observers who argue that the use of tear gas at a memorial for victims of police violence is disproportionate. The Enough is Enough movement has called for a review of the police’s conduct and for the protection of peaceful commemorations in the future.