Gridlock as #EndSARS Protesters Block Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos
#EndSARS protesters on Monday returned to the Lekki Toll Gate section of the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos, despite the announcement that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, had been disbanded.
The demonstration caused heavy early-morning traffic, leaving many commuters and motorists stranded on their way to work.
Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu had announced the dissolution of SARS on Sunday following days of nationwide protests over allegations of brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings by some members of the police unit.
Adamu also said officers of the disbanded squad would be redeployed and that a new policing arrangement would be announced.
The announcement, however, did not end the demonstrations.
Protesters said they wanted more concrete reforms and accountability measures before ending the movement.
Among their demands was a psychological evaluation and retraining of former SARS officers before they were redeployed to other police formations.
They also called for the immediate release of protesters who had been arrested during demonstrations across the country.
In addition, the protesters demanded investigations and justice for victims of alleged police brutality, as well as appropriate compensation for the families of those who had died.
The continued protest at Lekki reflected growing distrust among demonstrators, many of whom argued that disbanding SARS alone was insufficient without wider reforms of the Nigeria Police Force and accountability for past abuses.
