The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the release of all demonstrators arrested in the early hours of Sunday during the #EndSARS memorial at the Lekki Toll Gate.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Command, made the announcement via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally oversaw the process.

“All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was present at the SCID to personally ensure this,” Hundeyin wrote.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, also confirmed the release of those detained at the Lekki Toll Gate. In a post on his X handle, Effiong confirmed that all items seized from the demonstrators were returned.

“We have secured the release of all 22 activists arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Lekki massacre,” the lawyer wrote. “We spoke with the Commissioner of Police, who visited the State CID in relation to the matter. The protesters’ belongings were also returned to them.”

The demonstrators were arrested as they gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, where peaceful protesters were reportedly killed during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality. The group had assembled around 8:30 a.m. with banners and placards demanding the full implementation of the reports from the judicial panels of inquiry established after the 2020 protests.

The police argued that the demonstrators had not sought clearance or permission before holding the rally. CP Olanrewaju Ishola told Channels Television, “Constitutionally, they should have written to me as the Commissioner of Police regarding their intention to protest. They did not, making such gatherings illegal, and the police cannot permit it.”

He acknowledged citizens’ constitutional rights but emphasised that these must be exercised within the bounds of the law.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators accused the police of using excessive force during the memorial procession. One protester said in a video shared by Inibehe Effiong on X, “We were peacefully marking the #EndSARS anniversary when we were detained by the police, led by the Commissioner of Police. I’m speaking from inside a Black Maria, where we were beaten, and my glasses were forcibly taken by a police officer without provocation. We’re asking why it is now illegal to protest in this country.”

Amnesty International also condemned the arrests. The human rights group stated on X: “Amnesty International condemns the violent actions of the Nigerian police against those assembled at the Lekki Toll Gate to honour the peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS demonstrations in October 2020. The use of tear gas and arrests is unacceptable.”