Police Free #EndSARS Anniversary Protesters
The Lagos State Police Command has released over 18 protesters who were detained during the fourth anniversary commemoration of the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate. The individuals were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, but were later freed.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, was present at the SCID to oversee the release. The Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed their release in a tweet on Sunday, stating, “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally see to that.”
The #EndSARS movement, which took place from October 1 to 20, 2020, was a nationwide protest against police brutality. Several lives were reportedly lost during the demonstrations. On Sunday, some youths gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the anniversary but were tear-gassed and arrested by the police.
Among those detained was Hassan Soweto, the National Spokesperson of the Youth Rights Campaign, according to Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, and Omole Ibukun, Initiator of the Creative Change Centre. Sanyaolu said 17 other members of the #EndBadGovernance Movement were also taken into custody. He demanded their release, stating, “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right.”
Sanyaolu listed other detainees as Remilekun Orunsolu, Olamide Thomas, Michael Adedeji, Adeseye Eshe, and Olamilekan Sanusi.
Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, also claimed in a tweet that the protesters had been beaten and placed in a Black Maria van before being transferred to the SCID in Panti. A social media user shared a video of protesters singing in a moving vehicle after their arrest.
Later, Sanyaolu confirmed the protesters had been released, saying, “All of the protesters have just been released. Thank you very much.”