The sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos was reportedly disrupted by the use of tear gas on Tuesday, with governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) among those present at the gathering.

Funso Doherty, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos State, his running mate, Tolani Animashaun, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the ADC governorship candidate, were among those who gathered at the location to commemorate the anniversary of the 2020 protests against police brutality.

The reported incident occurred at a location that remains central to public discussions about police accountability, the use of force against protesters and the events of October 20, 2020.

The gathering was intended to remember the victims and reflect on the demands that brought thousands of Nigerians onto the streets six years ago.

Animashaun confirmed that she and others at the toll gate had been exposed to tear gas in a message sent to P.M. NEWS shortly after the incident.

However, footage obtained by the publication showed police officers addressing people at the scene but did not capture officers firing or deploying tear gas.

The circumstances surrounding the reported use of tear gas were not immediately clear.

It was also unclear what prompted the police intervention, whether officers had issued any prior warnings or whether the gathering had encountered any disagreement with security personnel before the incident.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official explanation of the incident.

There was also no confirmed information on whether anyone sustained injuries, was arrested or required medical attention following the reported exposure to tear gas.

The presence of the two governorship candidates has added political significance to the incident, particularly as parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections.

The Lekki Toll Gate has remained a major gathering point for people seeking to commemorate the #EndSARS protests.

The site became a national symbol during the demonstrations of October 2020, when young Nigerians demanded an end to police brutality, extortion and alleged extrajudicial killings, particularly those associated with the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The protests spread across several states and attracted widespread attention both within and outside Nigeria.

Demonstrators demanded reforms to policing and greater accountability for alleged abuses by security personnel.

On October 20, 2020, the situation at the Lekki Toll Gate escalated after soldiers were deployed to the area during the protest. Reports of gunfire and casualties triggered national and international outrage.

The precise circumstances of the shootings, including responsibility and the full number of casualties, have remained subjects of public debate and calls for accountability.

Doherty, who recently moved to the NDC after previously being associated with the ADC, has selected Animashaun as his running mate.

The party has outlined proposals on education, healthcare, housing, employment and other areas of governance.

Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the Labour Party before emerging as the ADC’s candidate for the next election, is also seeking another opportunity to lead the state.

The reported incident has therefore raised questions about the handling of commemorative gatherings at a location where the public continues to demand answers about the events of six years ago.

However, no conclusion can be drawn about the motive for the police action without an official account or further evidence establishing what happened.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no official police statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the reported tear-gassing.

Further details, including the events leading to the intervention and any possible action by the authorities, were still awaited.

In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA reported that African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore had vowed to reopen investigations into the Lekki Toll Gate shootings if elected president in 2027.

Sowore said he would seek to identify those responsible for the shooting of unarmed protesters and ensure that anyone found culpable faced justice, regardless of position or political connections.