In a fresh statement on the enduring controversy, former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated the Federal Government's position on the October 2020 EndSARS protests, specifically addressing the events at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.
No Massacre at Lekki, Says Former Minister
Speaking on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, December 15, 2025, Mohammed denied that a massacre took place at the tollgate. He acknowledged that casualties were recorded nationwide during the protests but maintained that the Lekki incident was not one of mass fatalities.
"Our position on EndSARS was very clear. At no point did the Federal Government say there were no casualties during EndSARS; there were casualties," Mohammed stated. He provided figures, noting that thirty-seven policemen and six soldiers lost their lives across the country during the period.
He argued that while deaths occurred in places like Alimosho in Lagos and other locations, the narrative of a massacre at Lekki was unfounded. "What we said, and what we still insist on, is that there were no massacres at the Lekki tollgate," he declared, describing it as "the only massacre in the whole of the world where there are no bodies."
Revelation on Soldiers' Ammunition
The former minister made a significant claim regarding the military deployment to the protest scene. He disclosed that the troops sent to the Lekki Tollgate were armed with blank bullets, which are designed to incapacitate rather than kill.
"Soldiers were issued blank bullets when they went to the Lekki Toll Gate. The whole idea is to disable you. I’m not a ballistic forensic expert, but as of today, to the best of my knowledge, there was no massacre at the Lekki tollgate," Mohammed explained.
He further emphasized his proximity to the operations, stating, "I was continuously in touch with the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff during those operations. I know for a fact that soldiers were issued blank bullets."
Critique of Media and Call for Evidence
Mohammed also used the platform to criticise international media coverage of the incident, singling out a report by Cable News Network (CNN). He accused the network of relying on unverified sources.
"I disagreed with CNN. CNN was not at the Lekki tollgate. CNN relied on poorly sourced stories to write its report," he said.
Challenging the persistent allegations, the former minister asked for concrete proof of lives lost specifically at the tollgate. "Tell me one person who says my son or daughter was at the Lekki tollgate and didn’t return home. It’s five years on," he added, referring to the time that has passed since the 2020 protests.
Mohammed mentioned that he had thoroughly studied the report of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry set up to investigate the incident and had addressed its findings in a global press conference after a trip to France.
The EndSARS protests erupted in October 2020, driven by nationwide calls to disband the police's Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over allegations of brutality and extrajudicial killings. The event at the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020, remains the most controversial episode, with activists and eyewitnesses alleging a military-led shooting of peaceful protesters.
The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari consistently denied any massacre occurred. Five years later, the debate remains alive, fueled by annual commemorations and ongoing legal actions, including a suit by alleged victims at the ECOWAS Court seeking enforcement of their fundamental rights.
