Take It Back Movement Calls for Lekki Tollgate to Be Renamed ‘ENDSARS Bus Stop’ in Honor of Victims

Take It Back Movement has demanded that the Lekki Tollgate be renamed ‘ENDSARS Bus Stop’ to honor the victims of the tragic shooting that occurred during the #EndSARS protests.

The movement argues that renaming the tollgate would serve as a memorial for those who lost their lives and as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and police reform in Nigeria.

Nigerians will gather on October 20, 2024, for a memorial march in remembrance of the youths killed during the peaceful #EndSARS protests at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos four years ago. 

The march, organised by the Take it Back Movement, aims to honour those who lost their lives and to demand justice for the brutal attack by state forces.

“There shall be no toll where blood has been shed. It will also serve as a ‘Museum of Police Resistance’,” the statement reads. 

The group believes this renaming will act as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigerian youths and the ongoing struggle against oppression and bad governance.

Take it Back also called for the immediate prosecution of all individuals responsible for the events of October 20, 2020, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and those who served under his administration. 

“Those who carried out the order as found culpable by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry must be arrested and prosecuted,” the group said, demanding that soldiers such as Lt. Col. S. O. Bello and Maj. Gen. Godwin Umelo, and the Maroko Police Station DPO, CSP Ganiu Raji should be brought to justice.

The statement also condemned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s role in the incident, calling for him to be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu must be made to face the International Criminal Court without delay for his role in sanctioning injustice, crimes against humanity and the embarrassing ploy to subvert justice,” the group asserted.

Additionally, the movement demanded the release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters who remain unjustly detained, stating that their continued imprisonment is a violation of human rights and justice.

The statement also called for the full implementation of the recommendations made by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, which included adequate funding, training, and welfare for the police; transparent disciplinary measures against officers involved in human rights abuses; prosecution of officers who refused to honour the panel’s summons; and the declaration of October 20 as a national #EndSARS Memorial Day.

The Take it Back Movement urged the Nigerian government to act swiftly on these demands to ensure justice for the lives lost. 

“The Take it Back Movement will continue to stand with the Nigerian people, ensuring that the voices of our youths are never silenced again,” the statement concluded.

The memorial march will take place on October 20, 2024, to honour the fallen heroes and renew the demand for change in Nigeria.

The statement added, “On October 20, 2020, peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate were brutally attacked by state forces, leaving many of our young people dead, injured, and traumatized. As we approach the fourth anniversary of that fateful day, the Take it Back Movement is organizing a march to memorialize the lives lost, demand justice, and continue the fight for a better Nigeria.

“In the spirit of this solemn memorial, we are calling for the Lekki Toll Gate to be renamed “ENDSARS Bus Stop,” not “EndSARS Toll Gate,” as the panel recommended. There shall be no toll where blood has been shed. It will also serve as a “Museum of Police Resistance”. 

“This renaming will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by our youths and the need to continue the struggle against oppression and bad governance.”

Credit: Saharareporters

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