Police fired tear gas on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to break up a gathering at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos marking six years since soldiers opened fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the same spot.
The memorial was organised by the Enough is Enough (EiE) movement. It was dispersed before wreaths could be laid for the victims of the October 20, 2020 shooting.
Candidates caught in the gas
Among those at the tollgate were two Lagos governorship candidates for 2027: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Funsho Doherty of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Journalists were interviewing both men when canisters of tear gas were fired into the crowd.
Footage streamed live by Sahara Reporters and shared widely online shows protesters, activists and reporters running for cover. According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), shots were also fired, forcing people and journalists to flee the scene.
As of the time of writing, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued a statement on the incident. There were no confirmed reports of injuries or arrests.
What happened on October 20, 2020
In October 2020, thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets across the country to demand an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
On the night of October 20, 2020, soldiers opened fire on protesters gathered at the Lekki tollgate, many of them waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem. A judicial panel set up by the Lagos State Government later described the events as a “massacre.” The federal and Lagos governments rejected the panel’s findings, and the Army has denied killing protesters.
Since then, the anniversary has become a day of remembrance for many young Nigerians at home and abroad. In past years, police have set up checkpoints and barricades at the tollgate to stop people from gathering there.
Why it still matters
Six years on, many families of victims say they are still waiting for justice and compensation. Human rights groups have condemned repeated attempts to stop peaceful memorials, saying the right to assemble is protected by Nigeria’s constitution.
The events at Lekki this week are likely to add fresh energy to debates about policing, accountability and youth participation, just months before the January 16, 2027 general elections.
Sources: Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Naija News, The Eagle Online, Sahara Reporters.