A protester who was arrested during a memorial gathering at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos has raised concerns about missing money after being released by the police.
The incident occurred during a peaceful assembly to mark the third anniversary of the October 2020 Lekki shooting, where soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding an end to police brutality.
The protester, Thomas Olamide, was one of several individuals detained by the police at the tollgate on Sunday.
The group had gathered to commemorate the tragic events of October 20, 2020, when soldiers reportedly shot at protesters who were demonstrating against the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit widely criticized for its brutal tactics.
The Lekki tollgate became a symbol of the EndSARS movement, and the anniversary gatherings have continued as a way to honor those who were allegedly killed or injured during the protests.
In 2020, following widespread protests, the Nigerian government responded to the demands of the youth by disbanding SARS. However, many protesters remained at the tollgate and other parts of the country, calling for broader police reforms and justice for those killed during the demonstrations.
The Lagos State government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, eventually imposed a curfew to disperse the crowd, which led to the infamous shooting incident. The Nigerian military and government officials have consistently denied the reports of mass casualties at the tollgate.
During the recent anniversary gathering, police officers dispersed the crowd and arrested several protesters. Among those detained was Olamide, who has since claimed that money was stolen from him while he was in police custody.
Speaking about his experience, Olamide said, “They took us to Panti, Yaba and did not torture us but we demanded for our belongings. The police took part of our money and valuables from some of us. Can you imagine? Personally, I had N25,000 in my wallet, but I met N9,500.”
Olamide explained that while he and other detainees were not mistreated physically, their personal belongings were not fully returned to them. The protester’s claim has sparked outrage, particularly on social media, where civil rights activists and citizens have condemned the handling of the arrests and detention.
Following the arrest and subsequent public outcry, Lagos State Police Commissioner Olanrewaju Ishola ordered the release of all detained protesters.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on ground at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to personally see to that.”
Despite the release of the protesters, no official statement has been made regarding the missing valuables. The police have yet to address Olamide’s claim or provide any explanation about the alleged theft.
