EndSARS: Obi calls for justice, accountability 6 years after Lekki shootings

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Nigerians to sustain demands for justice and accountability over the Lekki Toll Gate shootings, warning against forgetting the sacrifices made during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Obi made the call on Tuesday in a statement marking the sixth anniversary of the incident, which became a defining moment in nationwide demonstrations against police brutality.
The former Anambra State governor said the anniversary should remind Nigerians of the need to protect human rights, ensure responsible leadership and prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
He recalled that protesters demanding an end to police brutality were met with gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, leaving deaths, injuries and questions about accountability.
Obi said the incident raised concerns about justice and the protection of human life, insisting that the country must not treat injustice as normal.
He called for a Nigeria where young people could express their concerns freely, citizens were protected from abuse and public officials exercised power responsibly.
The NDC candidate also argued that peaceful demands for reforms and good governance should be recognised as legitimate democratic participation rather than grounds for punishment.
The #EndSARS movement drew thousands of young Nigerians onto the streets in October 2020 to protest against police brutality and demand reforms. The Lekki incident attracted national and international attention and prompted calls for investigations and accountability.
Obi said the anniversary should go beyond mourning the victims to renewing the country’s commitment to justice, human dignity and respect for citizens’ rights.
He expressed hope that the sacrifices of those who participated in the protests would strengthen efforts to build a country where every life was valued and protected.