Six Years Later, Nigerians Honour Victims of #EndSARS Protests Amid Tear Gas

In a determination to honor the victims of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, a Nigerian woman defied police tear gas at the Lekki Toll Gate to pay her tribute. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during the solemn anniversary gathering to remember those who died during the peaceful protests against police brutality.

The woman was seen courageously standing her ground amidst clouds of chemical irritants to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the historic demonstrations against police brutality in 2020. The police reportedly fired tear gas at journalists, activists, civil rights advocates, civilians, and prominent figures, including former Lagos gubernatorial candidates Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Funso Doherty. Flowers and wreaths were physically seized by the police forces. 

The #EndSARS massacre, also known as the Lekki Toll Gate shooting, occurred on October 20, 2020. It was a tragic historical accident that took the lives of many Nigerian youths who protested against decades of police brutality in Nigeria. 

It began as a peaceful demonstration for civil rights but ended in unprecedented bloodshed when the state security forces opened fire on unarmed citizens. The catalyst for this protest was the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force originally formed in 1992 to combat violent crime. Over the years, it became notorious for illegal detentions, extortion, torture, and extrajudicial killings. SARS officers routinely targeted young Nigerians based on their appearance, hairstyles, smartphones, or cars.

Meanwhile, Pamela Damilola Imeh, an asthmatic patient who also demonstrated her solidarity towards the affected victims of the ##EndSARS protesters, suffered severe breathing difficulties from the tear gas and was rushed to a hospital where she was stabilised.