The procession to mark the second anniversary of protests against police brutality in Nigeria, known as the End Sars movement, ended abruptly on Thursday in Lagos after security forces fired teargas.
They also deployed water cannon to disperse the gathering.
Hundreds of Nigerians had gathered at the tollgate holding banners, placards and signs while chanting anti-government songs.
Others flew Nigerian flags stained with blood, carried mock coffins and sang laments to honour those who died during the protests two years ago.
The procession that started slowly soon grew in number with more people joining to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their campaign for police reform.
Comedians, musical artists and social media influencers led the procession that obstructed traffic, including Just Adetoun, Mr Macaron and Falz.
Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential candidate, also joined the procession.
Lagos police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said minimal force was used: “A stitch in time saves nine. They were already gathering at the toll gate as opposed to doing a peaceful procession. Minimal force was used. No injury or fatality,” he said on Twitter.
The 2020 protests forced the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) of the Nigerian police – which was the catalyst for the demonstrations.
A judicial inquiry was set up to investigate the aftermath of the protest where demonstrators were reported to have been killed by security forces – the Nigerian authorities have repeatedly denied those claims but the organisers insist on their call for justice.
