Nigeria Marks 5 Years Since Lekki Toll Gate Shooting: Grief, Anger, and Unanswered Questions

October 20, 2025, marks five years since the Lekki Toll Gate shooting — a night etched into Nigeria’s collective memory when soldiers opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS protesters demanding an end to police brutality. According to Amnesty International, at least 12 demonstrators were killed during the attack, which unfolded after security lights were abruptly switched off and live rounds were fired into the crowd.

The accompanying image circulating online shows the massive assembly of peaceful demonstrators earlier that day — waving flags, singing the national anthem, and holding placards that read “Stop Killing Us.” The photo, now symbolic of resistance and unity, contrasts sharply with the chaos that followed hours later when soldiers arrived to disperse the crowd.

Despite widespread outrage, grief still lingers over what many Nigerians continue to call the “Lekki Massacre.” The 2021 Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry concluded that a massacre had indeed taken place, naming several state and military actors, yet no prosecutions or official apologies have followed. Many families of victims remain without justice or compensation.

On social media platform X, the anniversary has reignited nationwide conversations about accountability, governance, and the erosion of public trust. “We’re still mourning, still asking the same questions — who gave the order?” one user wrote. Others drew parallels between the 2020 protests and Nigeria’s current economic turmoil, lamenting that the same frustrations — unemployment, inflation, insecurity — have only deepened since.

The #EndSARS movement, which began as a youth-driven protest against the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), evolved into one of the largest demonstrations in Nigeria’s modern history, calling for broad political and systemic reform. But five years later, many of its leaders are either in exile, under surveillance, or silenced by fear of reprisal.

For countless Nigerians, October 20 remains more than just a date — it’s a symbol of broken promises and a reminder of the heavy cost of speaking truth to power. As candlelight vigils and remembrance posts flood timelines tonight, the echo of the protesters’ chants — “Soro Soke,” meaning “speak up” — continues to resonate across a nation still demanding justice for its fallen youth.