The Lagos State Police Command has released the EndSARS protesters who were arrested early Sunday morning during a commemoration at the Lekki Toll Gate.
This was confirmed by the Command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who announced the release on his official X page, stating that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally supervised the process.
Hundeyin wrote: “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”
All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on ground at the SCID to personally see to that.
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) October 20, 2024
The arrests took place as protesters gathered to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, during which soldiers allegedly fired upon peaceful protesters amid the EndSARS demonstrations against police brutality.
However, the reason for their arrest remains unclear, as Hundeyin did not respond to inquiries, and attempts to reach him resulted in continuous ‘busy’ signals.
In a video viewed, some of the arrested protesters claimed they were beaten by police officers merely for gathering to honor the victims of 2020.
‘They beat us’
Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), also confirmed the release.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police visited Panti Police Station to facilitate the protesters’ release.
Soweto recounted: “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 further alleged that many of the protesters were injured during the police assault.
“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.
Soweto described the experience as a violation of their rights, adding that the police’s actions on a day meant to commemorate a brutal massacre were intolerable.
“We want justice, and we won’t stop until we get it,” he stated, vowing that their fight against anti-poor policies would continue.
Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, also confirmed the protesters’ arrests in a tweet.
He said they were beaten before being transported in a Black Maria van to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba.
Additionally, an X user identified as Frednardo da Vinci shared a video showing the arrested protesters singing solidarity songs inside a moving vehicle, with one protester stating: “We have just been arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate where we marched to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the victims of EndSARS.”
We secured their release – Inibehe Effiong
Similarly, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has stated that the 22 activists arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate were released following his discussions with the Commissioner of Police.
Disclosing this on his official X Platform, he said: “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.”
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.… pic.twitter.com/6QclNfLMmI
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) October 20, 2024