OFFICERS of the Lagos State Police Command arrested 22 #EndSARS memorial protesters on Sunday, October 20.
The police also dispersed scores of protesters who gathered for the memorial.
The demonstration sought to honour victims of the 2020 protests against police brutality.
However, the atmosphere became tense when police operatives emerged at the scene, firing teargas canisters. They eventually whisked away 22 of the protesters.
The demonstrators, mainly youth, assembled around 8:30 a.m., holding banners and placards while demanding the full implementation of the reports from the judicial panels of inquiry set up after the 2020 protests.
However, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong confirmed that the 22 protesters have been released.
“We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the fourth 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.”
Responding to the arrest, Amnesty International condemned the police’s action, particularly the use of tear gas and the arrests.
In a post on X, the organisation said, “Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria police for the violent attack on people who assembled at Lekki Toll Gate to honour peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in October 2020. The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable.”
Speaking with The ICIR, one of the protesters, Hassan Soweto, confirmed that he and 21 others were arrested and held at a police station, including five suspected killers.
Speaking about their treatment, he said, “We are all seriously brutalised. One of us, a man, was sexually molested. Another woman was also sexually harassed in the process of arresting her.”
He said many of those arrested had their clothes torn, while others had been left bruised and bleeding.
Soweto recounted how one protester suffered severe head injuries during the arrest.
“Somebody has blood coming out of the vehicle. His head was smashed against maybe a wall or a bed, but I don’t know,” he said, adding that the officers’ actions were unprovoked.
“I have my clothes torn in different places. My glasses have been damaged because it was knocked down from my eyes by a police officer,” Soweto further explained.
He accused senior police officers, including the commissioner of police (CP), of being at the scene where they were assaulted but failed to intervene. “The CP was there, right there when we were being molested,” Soweto said. “I have told him very clearly that this attempt to distance himself is not acceptable to us.”
Soweto singled out a police officer, Hunan D. James, as one of those responsible for the brutality. He said the officer tore his clothes.
“One police officer here, Hunan D. James, grabbed my black native dress and tore it. I am almost naked as I am right now,” he said, adding that another protester was stripped naked and had to use a rope to tie his trousers.
Despite the brutality, Soweto vowed to continue the protests.
He asserted that the protesters fight for justice would continue. “We shall not forget them. The crimes committed against us will never be forgotten,” Soweto stated, adding that “one day, they will sit at the court of people’s justice, where the real justice will be delivered.”
List of protesters arrested :
(1) Hassan Taiwo Soweto
(2) Ilesanmi kehinde
(3) Uadiale Kingsley
(4) Osopale Adeseye T.
(5) Olamilekan Sanusi
(6) Osugba Blessing
(7) kayode Anaheim
(8) Michael Adedeji
(9) Jennifer Rita Obiora (Female)
(10) Orunsolu Oluremi (Renyte Goonz)
(11) Prof Seyi Akinde
(12) Akin Okunowon Aluta
(13) Ugochukwu Prince
(14) Aishat Omolara (Female)
(15) Thomas Abiodun Olamide (Female)
(16) Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald
(17) Aghedo Kehinde Stephen
(18) Duroorike Olawale
(19) Isaac Obasi
(20) Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi
(21) Gideon Adeyeni
(22) Afeez Suleiman
Early today, The ICIR published a report asking Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders if anything had changed since the 2020 protest.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.