#EndSARS 6th anniversary: What exactly has changed?
By Vivian Aghanu
Six years after the tragic events of October 20, 2020, Nigerians are remembering the victims of the #EndSARS protests, which culminated in the shooting of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
The incident, which became a defining moment in Nigeria’s history of protests against police brutality, continues to raise questions about justice, accountability and police reforms in the country.
The #EndSARS protests began in October 2020, as thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets to demand an end to police brutality, particularly abuses attributed to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
On October 20, 2020, despite a curfew announced by the Lagos State Government, protesters remained at the Lekki Toll Gate, one of the major centres of the demonstrations.
Reports from the scene indicated that armed security personnel opened fire on protesters that evening, triggering widespread outrage across Nigeria and attracting international condemnation.
The incident, widely referred to as the Lekki Toll Gate shooting, sparked renewed conversations about human rights, freedom of expression and the responsibilities of security agencies in a democratic society.
In the aftermath, the Lagos State Government established a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and other allegations of police brutality. The panel’s findings and the circumstances surrounding the shooting have remained subjects of public debate.
Six years later, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the demands that brought thousands of young Nigerians onto the streets: an end to police brutality, accountability for abuses and meaningful reforms in the country’s security institutions.
As Nigerians reflect on the events of October 20, 2020, calls for justice and improved protection of citizens’ rights remain central to the legacy of the #EndSARS movement.
After all the protests,what exactly has changed?
