Twenty-two protesters arrested during the #EndSARS memorial at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos has been released after undergoing brutal treatment at the hands of the Nigerian police.
The protesters had gathered on Sunday morning to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, which demanded an end to police brutality in Nigeria.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto, the National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), confirmed the release of the protesters to journalists, revealing that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police personally visited Panti Police Station to facilitate their release.
However, Soweto criticized the CP’s actions, stating, “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came down to the Panti police station pleading hypocritically.
“The whole brutalisation, assault, and arrest happened in his presence.”
According to Soweto, many of the protesters suffered injuries, with one experiencing severe bleeding from the nose.
Additionally, two protesters, a male and female, were reportedly sexually molested, and another male protester was stripped naked, forcing others to improvise a rope to secure his clothing.
The brutality unfolded as protesters peacefully held banners to honor victims of the 2020 Lekki Tollgate massacre.
Despite the violence, Soweto expressed determination to continue fighting for justice, saying, “This violation of our rights on a day set aside to commemorate a brutal massacre cannot be tolerated. We want justice, and we won’t stop until we have it.”
The list of arrested protesters includes notable activists such as Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Uadiale Kingsley, Osopale Adeseye T., and others. They were thrown into a Black Maria following their arrest.
Earlier, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), condemned the Nigerian Police for deploying officers to suppress peaceful demonstrations not only in Lagos but also in Osun and other states.
The arrests sparked outrage, with many decrying the Police’s continued clampdown on peaceful protesters four years after the #EndSARS protests.
