Following the decision by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses & Lekki Toll Gate Incident (#EndSARS panel) to release the Lekki Toll Gate for reopening, Lagos is in for another tense moment as youths are now mobilising to hold a rally on the morning of Saturday, 13th February.
The rally tagged, #OccupyLekkiTollGate is being championed by journalist, activist and Convener, #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore.
The toll plaza had stopped commercial operations since 20th October 2020 when the unfortunate incident of a shooting by men of the armed forces to disperse protesting #EndSARS youths, was alleged to have resulted in the deaths and injuries of many protesters.
Since then the Lagos State government had instituted the #EndSARS panel to investigate the disturbances and other matters which led to it.
On Saturday, 6th February, the #EndSARS panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd.) voted five to four to release the toll gate plaza back to the operators to recommence commercial operations.
The decision to release the Lekki Toll Gate has not gone down well with many youths who consider the move insensitive as they insist that many youths were indeed killed at the toll plaza and justice had yet to be served.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, in response to a tweet with the hashtag #DontLetThemBringLagosDown, said “nobody will bring our dear Lagos State down! Their rights end where other people’s rights begin.”
The rally is billed to start by 7am on Saturday, 13th February.
