On October 20, 2025, Nigeria stands in solemn remembrance of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre, a dark chapter from the #EndSARS protests that demanded an end to police brutality and systemic abuse. Five years later, the cries for justice still echo through the streets, and memories of that night refuse to fade.
In 2020, security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters waving flags and singing the national anthem. They killed at least 12 people, according to verified reports, sparking global outrage against state violence. Judicial panels and the ECOWAS Court later confirmed that Lekki was a massacre, exposing cover-ups, censorship, and impunity.
Journalist Pelumi Onifade lost his life while documenting the chaos — his name now stands in the collective memory of a nation still demanding truth. Families of victims continue to face bureaucratic silence as authorities stall investigations and delay reforms.
Yet, amid the pain, resilience burns bright. Social media once again surges with #LekkiMassacre and #EndSARS tributes — threads recounting the horror, vigils honoring the fallen, and renewed calls for justice. Activists like Mr. Macaroni and Comrade Yemi of Enough is Enough Nigeria keep speaking out despite state pushback. Global Rights connects the movement to new fronts, from #FreeNnamdiKanuNow to youth-led anti-corruption campaigns.
One viral X post summed it up: “To the ones we lost… We will never forget.”
As economic hardship and governance failures deepen frustration, the spirit of Lekki 2020 lives on — not just as tragedy, but as testimony. On this fifth anniversary, the message remains clear:
Silence is betrayal. Justice delayed is not justice denied.
The martyrs of Lekki remind Nigeria of the power of collective defiance — a promise that the future will honor their sacrifice.
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