Former Minister Lai Mohammed Insists Lekki Toll Gate Story Was Fabricated. The debate surrounding the 2020 EndSARS protests remains one of the most polarising issues in Nigeria’s recent history. Although several voices have contributed to the national conversation, former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, continues to present one of the most forceful positions on the Lekki Toll Gate incident. His insistence that the story of a “massacre” was fabricated has, once again, stirred controversy. Moreover, his comments have reignited discussions about media responsibility, eyewitness accounts, and the credibility of Nigeria’s information ecosystem. Consequently, Nigerians are revisiting the events of October 20, 2020, trying to reassess what truly happened and how narratives evolved. With emotions still raw for many communities, the topic remains highly sensitive. Nevertheless, Lai Mohammed maintains his stance with renewed confidence, arguing that misinformation dominated the public space at the time. Read also Security Guarding Tinubu’s Son Enough to Finish Benin— Soyinka https://docunewscentral.com/
The Background to a National Tragedy
When the EndSARS protests began in October 2020, they were initially peaceful. Young Nigerians took to the streets to demand police reform, accountability, and justice for victims of brutality. As the demonstrations grew, the Lekki Toll Gate quickly became the symbolic epicentre of the nationwide movement. Furthermore, it drew international attention because thousands of protesters assembled there daily.
However, on the night of October 20, 2020, reports emerged that security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Videos, live streams, tweets, and emotional testimonies flooded social platforms within minutes. Therefore, panic spread across Nigeria and beyond, prompting global celebrities, human rights groups, and foreign governments to demand investigations. Yet, Lai Mohammed countered these claims almost immediately. He argued that the allegations were exaggerated, unverified, and heavily influenced by digital misinformation.
Lai Mohammed’s Repeated Rebuttals
During his tenure as Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed vigorously defended the government’s handling of the protests. He repeatedly stated that no massacre occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate. Because of the massive online amplification of the claims, he argued that the nation experienced one of the largest misinformation waves in its history. Consequently, he insisted that many citizens accepted unverified stories as truth.
Moreover, Mohammed stated that many videos circulating online were either edited, staged, or taken from unrelated foreign events. According to him, the eagerness of social media users to spread sensational content overshadowed the need for accurate reporting. Therefore, he maintains that Nigerians were misled by a powerful combination of emotional narratives and viral misinformation.
Why Lai Mohammed Says the Story Was Fabricated
Lai Mohammed’s position rests on several points. First, he argues that independent investigations did not conclusively establish that the Nigerian Army killed protesters at the toll gate. Second, he claims that no families came forward with verifiable evidence of missing or deceased relatives linked directly to the incident. Additionally, he believes that the symbolic weight of the location encouraged activists to push a narrative of mass casualties even without evidence.
Furthermore, Mohammed says that the speed at which misinformation spread during the protests proved how vulnerable the digital space can be. He believes the Lekki narrative evolved far beyond what occurred on the ground, largely because influencers, activists, and foreign observers relied heavily on unverified social media posts. Because of this, he insists that the “massacre” story was intentionally fabricated and later amplified to undermine the government.
Reactions to His Renewed Assertion
Each time Lai Mohammed speaks about the Lekki incident, the public response becomes intense. Many Nigerians view his position as an attempt to rewrite history. Therefore, social media users often react swiftly, challenging his claims and sharing their memories of the protest night. In contrast, others agree with his perspective and believe misinformation played a huge role in the entire saga.
Although emotions continue to dominate the debate, citizens still demand clarity. Since the protests represented a defining moment for millions of young Nigerians, people want closure. However, the opposing views between the government narrative and public perception make reconciliation extremely difficult. Consequently, any comment from Mohammed immediately reignites tensions.
The Influence of Social Media on the Controversy
Social media played a central role before, during, and after the Lekki Toll Gate incident. Because young protesters relied on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for coordination, these platforms became the movement’s backbone. Livestreams, hashtags, and influencer posts amplified their demands, turning a local protest into a global headline.
Therefore, Lai Mohammed believes social platforms were also responsible for spreading false claims. He frequently points to livestreams with unclear footage, audio distortions, or incomplete visuals as evidence of misinformation. Moreover, he argues that once these videos became viral, they created a narrative too powerful to challenge, regardless of accuracy.
On the other hand, many Nigerians argue that social media documented what mainstream institutions refused to cover. They claim that citizen journalism saved the truth from being lost. Because of this conflicting view, Mohammed’s insistence that the entire story was fabricated continues to provoke strong reactions across the country.
The Panel Reports and Public Interpretation
Following the incident, several judicial panels of inquiry were established across the country. The Lagos State Judicial Panel took the lead, hearing testimonies from protesters, security agencies, medical personnel, and eyewitnesses. While the panel documented injuries, trauma, and some casualties, interpretations of the findings remain contested.
Lai Mohammed insists that the panel’s findings did not conclusively support claims of a massacre. He argues that inconsistencies, lack of verifiable evidence, and contradictions weakened many testimonies. Consequently, he believes the panel’s work strengthens his stance that the story was exaggerated or fabricated.
However, critics argue that the panel’s report itself acknowledged wrongdoing by security forces and recommended compensation for victims. Because of this, they insist that Mohammed’s position ignores the emotional, physical, and psychological harm experienced by protesters.
A Deeply Polarised National Memory
Five years after the EndSARS protests, the Lekki Toll Gate incident remains emotionally charged. The divide between government accounts and public sentiment continues to shape national discourse. Moreover, the event became a symbol of the struggle between Nigerian youth and state institutions.
As a result, when Lai Mohammed restates his belief that the “massacre” story was fabricated, Nigerians respond with renewed passion. His comments awaken long-held memories, painful emotions, and debates about state accountability. Because of these reactions, the controversy never settles.
The Global Perception and Its Impact
International organisations, media outlets, and foreign observers widely reported the Lekki Toll Gate claims. Because global audiences often rely on digital evidence, the livestreams and viral videos shaped their understanding of the event. Consequently, many foreign institutions viewed the incident as a major human rights violation.
Lai Mohammed argues that these global reactions were also influenced by misinformation. He insists international journalists depended too heavily on social media posts rather than verified evidence. Moreover, he maintains that some foreign governments reacted politically rather than factually, which intensified the misinformation loop.
Why the Debate Still Matters
The controversy surrounding the Lekki Toll Gate incident is not just about what happened on one night. Instead, it represents a broader question about trust. Nigerians continue to debate whether to believe official statements, social media accounts, or eyewitness testimonies. Additionally, it raises important questions about the government’s handling of crises, transparency, and communication.
Because of these unresolved issues, Lai Mohammed’s comments remain influential. Whenever he speaks, he triggers a national need to revisit the incident and reinterpret the facts. Moreover, the country continues to reflect on the importance of reliable information in moments of chaos.
Lai Mohammed and the Reputation Debate
Over the years, Lai Mohammed has developed a reputation as a strong defender of government narratives. Supporters believe he prioritises national stability and counters false information effectively. However, critics argue that he denies legitimate grievances and undermines public trust.
Therefore, whenever he comments on the Lekki incident, the conversation becomes broader than the event itself. It becomes a test of credibility, memory, and national identity. Citizens ask whether institutions should shape narratives or whether public accounts should define historical truth.
The Continuing Legacy of EndSARS
Despite the controversy, the EndSARS movement remains a turning point in Nigerian civic engagement. Young people learned to mobilise peacefully, use technology strategically, and demand transparency from institutions. Because of this, the incident changed the social and political landscape of the country.
Furthermore, the movement forced national leaders to acknowledge long-standing issues. Discussions about police reform and human rights became mainstream. Moreover, the protests inspired global conversations about governance and youth empowerment.
Nevertheless, the Lekki Toll Gate story remains the most sensitive chapter of the movement’s legacy. And because Lai Mohammed continues to insist the narrative was fabricated, the memory of the protests keeps resurfacing in national discourse.
Conclusion
The renewed statement by Lai Mohammed—insisting that the Lekki Toll Gate story was fabricated—has clearly revived old tensions. Nigerians remain divided, and because the incident carries emotional weight, discussions continue to be heated. Although he believes misinformation fuelled the entire narrative, many citizens insist their experiences were real. Therefore, the debate may endure for years, shaping political conversations and public trust. Ultimately, the Lekki incident remains a powerful symbol of the struggle for accountability, transparency, and justice in Nigeria.
