The 2021 EndSARS memorial protest Was a protest carried out by

Nigerians Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

and End SARS activist to mark the one year anniversary of the Lekki toll gate shooting which took place on 20

October October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus , October retained its name (from Latin and Greek ''ôct ...

, 2020.

Background

After the aftermath of End SARS protest, End SARS activists announced that there would be a memorial to mark the Lekki Shootings. On 19 October 2021,

Mr Macaroni Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo (born 3 May 1993), known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, content creator and citizen activist. A trained thespian, his popularity grew from his comic skits on social media, where he plays the role of ...

and

Falz Folarin Falana (born 27 October 1990), better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor who began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with his friend before his profe ...

announced that the protest will be carried out by cars in accordance to the message by the

police force The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

, which prohibited any form of protest.

Protest

Lagos State

On 19 October, it was reported that troops of security operatives were all positioned at the toll gate to ensure that no protest would be held on

20 October Events Pre-1600 *1568 – The Spanish Duke of Alba defeats a Dutch rebel force under William the Silent. *1572 – Eighty Years' War: Three thousand Spanish soldiers wade through fifteen miles of water in one night to effect the rel ...

. On 20 October, protesters gathered mainly at the Lekki Toll Gate at as early as 6 AM inside their cars, trucks and buses. Some waved the Nigerian flag while shouting "End SARS" and "End Bad Government". It was also reported that some protesters who moved on feet were arrested. At about 2 PM,

tear gas Tear gas, also known as a lachrymator agent or lachrymator (), sometimes colloquially known as "mace" after the early commercial aerosol, is a chemical weapon that stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the eye to produce tears. In ad ...

was shot at protesters which caused some of them to leave the scene leaving their cars and other items behind.

and

joined the protesters, who continued their protest. An Uber driver was reported to be brutalized by the police and 2 journalists were allegedly arrested.

Abuja

Protesters gathered at the Unity Fountains, Maitama to hold a peaceful protest. Protesters moved on foot shouting "End SARS" until they were dispersed by police men. It was also reported that protesters against End SARS were seen carrying place cards with inscriptions that the Lekki toll gate shooting was a hoax. At about 4 PM, protesters returned to carry out the protest.

Portharcourt

In Porthacourt, protesters took to the streets at about 5 pm organizing a candle light procession.

References