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October 20, 2020, is not just a date — it represents a powerful symbol of courage, sorrow, and the relentless pursuit of justice in Nigeria.
Today marks five years since the harrowing night at the Lekki Toll Gate, when Nigerians, holding the national flag and singing the anthem, were met with gunfire. For millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, October 20, 2020, remains etched as a painful wound on the nation’s conscience — a defining moment that altered Nigeria’s history and collective memory forever.
What began as a youth-led movement to end police brutality under the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) became one of the most defining uprisings in Nigeria’s democratic history. The EndSARS movement exposed deep institutional failures and awakened a generation to its civic power and responsibility.
That night, the lights went out at Lekki toll gate. CCTV cameras were reportedly removed, and then came the gunshots. Live videos showed terrified youths trying to save the wounded as chaos unfolded. The images shocked the world marking a dark memory in the nation’s history.
While authorities have contested different versions of what transpired, the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry characterised the incident as a massacre, confirming that unarmed civilians were shot and killed. Subsequently, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that Nigeria had violated the rights of peaceful demonstrators and ordered the government to provide reparations to the victims.
Despite these findings, justice remains elusive. Panels were set up across 29 states, but only a handful of victims have received compensation. Many others still wait for closure and accountability.
Why It Can Never Be Forgotten:
- Young Nigerians came together regardless of tribe, religion, and politics.
- It showed the world that Nigerian youths are agents of change.
- It highlighted the urgent need for police reform and accountability.
- It inspired a civic awakening that continues today.
Five years later, the issues that sparked the protests persist — police brutality, impunity, and a shrinking civic space. Nigerians marking the anniversary still face intimidation and arrests, a painful reminder that the struggle continues.
The Lekki Toll Gate now stands as a symbol of resistance and remembrance and those who stood there waving the Nigerian flag demanding more from the Nigerian Government did not die in vain. Their courage continues to echo, inspiring others to speak truth to power and demand a just nation.
EndSARS is no longer a protest — it is a legacy. A call for justice. A reminder of the price of freedom and the resilience of a generation that refused to be silenced.
