Today, October 20th 2025, marks the fifth anniversary of the now infamous shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate by armed soldiers, and Nigerians on social media had a lot to say.
The protesters were protesting against the excesses of the deadly police unit known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, code namer SARS, and also pushing for good governance, when soldiers opened fire on them.
The protests were largely peaceful as the unharmed youths gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos waving the green-white-green flag and singing the national anthem.
But the night was shattered when soldiers drafted from the nearby Bonny Camp arrived and released a volley of bullets on the young Nigerians, leaving at least 12 dead, dozens injured, and a nation scarred by the deliberate erasure of its youth.
With the sad event which will go down as one of the saddest incidents in the annals of Nigeria’s checkered history of human rights abuses clocking its fifth year, Nigerians, including some activists who were in the forefront of the #EndSARS protests have taken to social media to pour out emotional tributes to the fallen youths who were killed just for demanding an end to bad governance.
In her remembrance, socio-poitical activist, Aisha Yesufu who played a huge part in the protest had this to say:
“5 years ago Nigerian government shot unarmed protesters and today Nigerian government headed by an illegitimate president is shooting unarmed protesters!” Aisha Yesufu
Entertainer and youth activist, Mr. Macaroni who himself was at the Lekki Toll Gate during the protest, also remembered his fallen compatriots.
“Nigerian Youths lost their lives, jobs, families and dreams at the hands of the most corrupt and evil people we call leaders!!! Even though my people are now in love with their oppressors, this day 20/10/2020 is never to be forgotten nor forgiven!” – Mr Macaroni
Other Netizens also took to the X platform to pour out their emotional tributes on the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS pogrom.
“On the 20th of October 2020, Nigerian soldiers opened fire on peaceful End SARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. That night, the hopes and dreams of many young and promising Nigerians were cut short some lost their lives, some live with physical and emotional scars.” – Exxcelll
“20th of October… We’d never forget! Five years ago, we stepped out with hope in our hearts and voices full of unity. What was meant to be a peaceful stand for justice turned into a night that changed this country forever.
“Some people never made it back home. Some names were never cleared. And families still wait for answers that may never come.
“The same hands that failed to protect the people now hold the pen that writes our future. And somehow, silence has become the new national language.
“Back then, we feared SARS. Now we fear the system itself. Fear has become so normal that even remembrance feels dangerous.
‘Still, memory is resistance. We owe it to those who stood, fell, and never returned. Nigeria, you will heal someday. But not if we forget.” – Samuelobiora21
“Five years have passed and it’s impossible to forget what went down at Lekki tollgate. 20-10-2020. #EndSARS.” – Dammiedammie35
“Five years on, we can only remember to resist. It shouldn’t have been at the expense of your lives. Many deniers of your deaths are still in power. We failed you and Nigeria failed us all. #EndSARS.” – SavvyRinu
*#EndSARS anniversary, five years on and counting.. Rest in power to all comrade lost in the struggles for a better Nigeria. May all those who were once commarade but have now joined the oppressors to perpetrate evil all because of money , connection and others not find peace. To hell with all oppressors and their enabler.” – Shadowwwalker1
“Five years on, and the wounds still bleed through our silence. You stood unarmed, demanding dignity, and they answered with bullets. The same hands that spilled your blood still rule without remorse. But your sacrifice awakened a generation — and we will never forget. #EndSARS #NeverAgain.” – MarvellousIsra3
“We can’t keep praying for change while protecting the chains that hold us down.
“Freedom is never given by oppressors — it is claimed by the people who refuse to kneel.
“The power of a nation is not in the hands of its politicians, but in the hearts of its people.” – ToochiOkonkwo
“In addition, it’s more heartbreaking to see some of the youths who joined this movement have been bought over and now support this same government. May the souls of the lost keep resting.” – Heis_Marsive
“We absolutely failed them , what a shame they died for nothing we can’t change anything, we’re cowards.” – SeyokSignify
“Indeed we fail them and yes Nigeria failed us but the question every one of us should be asking is what do we do now? Shall we continue to live like this people are not still in power? What are the steps we can take to bring this people to justice. This should be our goal.” – Kingsolomondavi
“Five years on, and the echoes of Lekki still pierce the silence we were forced into. Rinu, your voice and the voices of those we lost remind us that justice delayed isn’t justice denied, but it’s a wound that festers. The world saw what happened; now Nigeria must act. #EndSARS.” – RmsaTm3
“Five years later, and those #EndSARS bloodstains on #LekkiTollGate scream louder than the cowards in power who shot kids for daring to dream! Rinu, you’re the thorn in their corrupt side they can’t silence—keep raging against these massacre-denying vampires sucking Nigeria dry. We didn’t fail; the revolution’s just warming up. Burn it all down! #RememberTheFallen #EndSARSRemains #TyrantsMustFall” – Johnbold2022
“Five years on, we can only remember to resist. It shouldn’t have been at the expense of your lives. Many deniers of your deaths are still in power. We failed you and Nigeria failed us all. #EndSARS.” – Green9jaa
“Dear Oke,
“It’s been 5 yrs since you, I & a million other 
youths resounded our voices against police brutality. One that had your life snuffed out by the Nigerian state.
“Your death, was one amongst others that caused a pain that we can’t heal from.
Rest gentle. #EndSARS.” – UnkleAyo
“Remembering the heroes of the Lekki Toll Gate. On this day, we honor those who stood for a better Nigeria and paid the ultimate price. Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. #EndSARS #LekkiMassacre
“20-10-2020, a very dark day in Nigeria’s history. The day unarmed protesters were gunned down by the government. It’s more saddening that 5 years down the line, no accountability, no justice and the police are 10 times worse than they were then.
Soro soke sold out!. #EndSARS.” – OjiUgo_nwa
“On the 20th of October 2020, Nigerian soldiers opened fire on peaceful End SARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. That night, the hopes and dreams of many young and promising Nigerians were cut short some lost their lives, some live with physical and emotional scars.” – Exxxcelll
“20th of October… We’d never forget! Five years ago, we stepped out with hope in our hearts and voices full of unity. What was meant to be a peaceful stand for justice turned into a night that changed this country forever.
“Some people never made it back home. Some names were never cleared. And families still wait for answers that may never come.
“The same hands that failed to protect the people now hold the pen that writes our future. And somehow, silence has become the new national language.
‘Back then, we feared SARS. Now we fear the system itself. Fear has become so normal that even remembrance feels dangerous. Still, memory is resistance. We owe it to those who stood, fell, and never returned. Nigeria, you will heal someday. But not if we forget.” – Samuelobiora
