EndSARS: Soldiers and Police Officers Lost Their Lives During Protests, No Death Recorded at Lekki Toll Gate – Lai Mohammed

The former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has once again reaffirmed his long-standing position regarding the events that occurred during the EndSARS protest on October 20, 2020, particularly at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.

According to Lai Mohammed, no individual was killed at the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the protest, despite widespread claims and public debates that followed the incident. He maintained that all investigations and official findings available to the government did not establish any record of fatalities at that specific location.

While emphasizing this stance, the former minister acknowledged that the EndSARS protests were not without tragic consequences nationwide. He admitted that several Nigerians lost their lives during the period, including security personnel such as soldiers and police officers, as the demonstrations spread across different parts of the country.

Lai Mohammed explained that the protests, which began as a peaceful movement against police brutality, later degenerated in some areas into violent confrontations. These clashes, he noted, resulted in the deaths of security operatives who were deployed to maintain law and order during the unrest.

Despite admitting these losses, Mohammed stressed a clear distinction between casualties recorded in various locations across Nigeria and the specific claims of deaths at the Lekki Toll Gate. He insisted that available evidence does not support reports alleging that protesters were killed at the toll gate on that night.

The former minister’s statement aligns with his earlier public comments, where he consistently argued that misinformation and unverified reports played a significant role in shaping public perception of the Lekki incident. According to him, the government relied on official reports, forensic analysis, and security records to arrive at its conclusions.

The EndSARS protest remains one of the most significant civic movements in Nigeria’s recent history, sparking national and international conversations about police reform, governance, and human rights. However, the debate surrounding the Lekki Toll Gate incident continues to generate strong reactions, with differing narratives persisting years after the protest.

Lai Mohammed’s remarks serve as a reiteration of the federal government’s official position, emphasizing that while the EndSARS protests led to loss of lives—including those of security officers—no deaths were officially recorded at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.