Amnesty slams police over tear-gassing of EndSARS memorial at Lekki
Amnesty International has reported that a recent gathering was held to commemorate protesters who were killed during demonstrations against police brutality on October 20, 2020. The organization criticized the police response to the memorial event, highlighting the use of tear gas as indicative of a disregard for the victims and survivors of the crackdown that occurred six years ago.
In a statement, Amnesty International pointed out that the police’s actions at the Lekki Toll Gate memorial illustrate an ongoing pattern regarding the Nigerian authorities’ attitude towards the right to peaceful assembly. The organization called for an investigation into the incident and emphasized the need for accountability, urging that officers suspected of misconduct be subjected to fair trials.
“Authorities must investigate today’s incident to ensure that police officers suspected of responsibility are held to account in fair trials,” the organization stated. It underscored that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and asserted that any attacks on individuals exercising this right are unlawful.
Amnesty International also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to put an end to what it termed persistent attacks on human rights. “President Bola Tinubu’s government must end its consistent attacks on human rights,” it affirmed.
The EndSARS protests began in October 2020, with demonstrators calling for an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit criticized for widespread abuses. The events that transpired at the Lekki Toll Gate have become a pivotal aspect of Nigeria’s ongoing human rights discourse, as activists and survivors continue to seek accountability and justice for those affected.
