Lekki Toll Gate Memorial: Three Years On

Families of victims and human rights activists gathered at Lekki Toll Gate to mark three years since the tragic shooting, renewing calls for justice and police reform.

Three years after the tragic events of October 20, 2020, hundreds of Nigerians gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to remember the victims and renew calls for justice. The memorial event, organized by a coalition of human rights groups, drew participants from across the country.

The evening vigil began with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. Names of confirmed and alleged victims were read aloud by family members, some of whom spoke publicly for the first time. "My brother was 22 years old," said Amaka Obi, sister of a victim. "He went to protest because he believed in a better Nigeria. We still believe."

Civil society organizations used the anniversary to release a comprehensive report documenting the events of that night. The report, based on over 200 witness testimonies, drone footage analysis, and hospital records, concludes that at least 12 people were killed and 40 injured by security forces.

The Lagos State Government continues to deny that anyone was killed at the toll gate, maintaining the position that blank ammunition was used. However, the report challenges this with medical evidence of live ammunition injuries from multiple hospitals.

DJ Switch, the disc jockey who livestreamed the events and subsequently fled the country, joined the memorial via video link from Canada. "I still see those faces every night," she said. "Justice delayed is justice denied, and three years is too long."

The EndSARS movement, which catalyzed the protests, has evolved into a broader civil rights platform. While the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was officially disbanded, activists argue that police brutality continues and the promised police reform has been largely cosmetic.

Several international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, released statements commemorating the anniversary and calling for an independent judicial inquiry with prosecutorial powers.