Police Tear Gas Candidates at EndSARS Anniversary Event

On October 20, police officers fired tear gas at participants, including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos, and Funso Doherty, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate, at the Lekki Tollgate. The gathering, organized by the Enough is Enough movement to mark the sixth anniversary of the EndSARS protests, was disrupted before the planned wreath-laying ceremony could take place.

The police intervention forced residents, journalists, and other attendees to scramble for safety, leading to injuries and difficulties in breathing due to the tear gas. The organizers had brought 15 wreaths to honor those who died during the protests, including journalist Pelumi Onifade.

The incident recalls the events of October 20, 2020, when the Lekki tollgate shooting occurred, resulting in nine confirmed deaths and four others missing, as reported by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry. The protests against police brutality led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.