Five years after the events of October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Global Rights has renewed its demand for justice and accountability for those affected by the EndSARS protest crackdown.

In a statement released to mark the anniversary and titled “Waiting for Accountability: 20.10.20, Five Years On,” the group’s executive director, Abiodun Baiyewu, expressed disappointment that years of inquiries and investigations have yielded little progress.

She noted that, despite several judicial panels established across the country, no one has been held responsible, and most of the recommendations from those panels have yet to be implemented.

Baiyewu described this persistent lack of action as “a deep wound on Nigeria’s democracy,” stressing that the erosion of public trust in governance continues to deepen.

“The tragic events of October 20, 2020, when armed security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters holding the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, drove that deficit even deeper,” she said.

She further pointed out that the #EndSARS movement went beyond opposition to police brutality, representing a broader demand for fairness, justice, and reform across Nigeria’s governance system.

“The protesters’ five demands, justice for victims, compensation for families, police oversight, reform, and better welfare for officers remain largely unmet,” Baiyewu added.

Global Rights also drew attention to what it described as a disturbing pattern of state response to peaceful dissent, referring to the government’s handling of the 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. During those protests, the group said, at least 30 people lost their lives, while many others, including minors were arrested and accused of treason.

The rights organisation also voiced concern over the growing misuse of legislation such as the Cybercrime Act to intimidate citizens, journalists, and activists who speak up against injustice.

“This practice erodes the foundation of democracy and sends a dangerous message that freedom of expression exists only on paper,” the statement said.

Reiterating its major demands, Global Rights called on the government to take concrete steps toward Accountability, Reform, Respect for Rights, and Civic Protection.

Baiyewu emphasised that public demonstrations should not be seen as threats to authority but as expressions of civic engagement capable of strengthening democracy when managed responsibly.

“No government enjoys criticism, but strong democracies use it as feedback,” she said. “Nigeria must learn to listen to its citizens, not muzzle them.”

As the nation remembers the events at Lekki Toll Gate five years later, the organisation urged the government to show genuine commitment to justice and reform, warning that “justice delayed is democracy denied.”

Security forces in Abuja on Monday used tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), before the demonstration fully began. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore was among those present at the protest.

The protest, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to kick off at the Transcorp Hilton and other strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). However, police officers intervened early, firing tear gas to break up the crowd and prevent the rally from starting. Security presence had been heightened across the city, with personnel from the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) stationed around key areas such as the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and the Presidential Villa.

Despite a court order prohibiting protests near major government buildings, organisers under the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign insisted on proceeding. Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, said, “Our right to peaceful assembly is protected by the Constitution. We will not be intimidated.”

Legal counsel to the organisers, Maxwell Opara, also maintained that the protest was lawful, saying, “The police were notified. Their role is to provide security, not to stop peaceful protesters.”

Convener Omoyele Sowore warned that any use of force would be documented and challenged in court, noting that legal, medical, and media teams were on ground to monitor the protest. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also deployed personnel to safeguard public infrastructure.

FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu stated, “The corps will not tolerate damage to property in the name of protest.”Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed officers to enforce the court order and maintain security across restricted areas.

As the situation unfolded, tensions remained high as protesters regrouped and moved towards the Utako district in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

‎A protest calling for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, sparked a massive security lockdown around the Presidential Villa and other parts of Abuja early Monday.
‎
‎Findings showed that the demonstration was led by #RevolutionNow convener and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
‎
‎The situation caused severe traffic disruption at major entry points into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as security personnel mounted barricades on key roads leading into the city.
‎
‎Access to the Three Arms Zone, which houses the seat of government, was heavily restricted, with combined teams of soldiers, police, and masked Department of State Services (DSS) operatives enforcing strict stop-and-search checks.
‎
‎Presidential Villa workers struggled to gain access, as even those with valid parking permits were turned back and redirected to alternative parking areas outside the complex.
‎
‎A confused staff member wrote on social media: “Please, can someone find out what is going on in the Villa? All access roads are blocked. Nobody is allowed in, even with tags.”
‎
‎The effects of the heightened security extended far beyond the Villa.
‎
‎Commuters along the Keffi-Abuja expressway were stranded for hours after soldiers barricaded the Karu Bridge near Sani Abacha Barracks around 4 a.m., stopping vehicles for intense inspections.
‎
‎Civil servants and traders from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, and Masaka were most affected by the resulting gridlock.
‎
‎Similar incidents were reported on the Dutse-Bwari and Airport Road routes.
‎
‎Motorists coming from the airport axis were diverted at the National Mosque, where security forces blocked access to the Central Business District.
‎
‎A message circulated among workers read: “Good morning, dear colleagues, please, if you are coming from Airport Road to Central Area, follow Area 1. Security blocked from the National Mosque.”
‎
‎Security forces also sealed off several routes leading to the Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, and National Assembly, maintaining heavy presence to prevent unrest.
‎
‎Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021, remains in detention despite multiple court rulings ordering his release. His supporters have continued to demand his freedom, citing deteriorating health conditions