Following a 24-hour curfew declaration by the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the troop of Nigerian Army attacked peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos yesterday night and killed many of them.
The incident angered other protesters and burnt down the toll gates. Over nine protesters have been confirmed dead after the massacre. Their corpses were seized by the military personnel while in injured were not allowed for emergency medical attention.
However, Lagos State Government has reacted to the shooting at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday night.
In a statement signed by the state’s Honourable Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu advised security agents not to arrest anyone because of the curfew.
Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagosians to remain calm and ordered an investigation into the incident.
“There have been reports of shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza, following the 24-hour curfew imposed on Lagos State to stop criminals who hid under the #EndSARS protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
“The State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.
“He advises Lagosians to remain calm and not allow criminals, who have hijacked the noble protest of our gallant youths, to succeed in their evil plan of turning our dear state upside down.
“The Governor will do everything within his power to ensure that the lives of all Lagosians are protected at all times.”
Meanwhile, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has frown at the security agents shooting at End SARS peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll gate.
SERAP, in a statement signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, its Deputy Director, said: “Under the Nigerian constitution, 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, the authorities are obligated to respect and protect the right to life and security of the person, the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly of everyone, including peaceful protesters.
“We call on the Nigeria authorities to order a prompt, independent and impartial inquiry into the reports of shooting of End SARS protesters at the Lekki Toll gate by security agents, identify suspected perpetrators and ensure that they are brought to justice without delay.
“All the victims must be allowed access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation, satisfaction and guarantee of non-repetition.
“SERAP calls on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations into cases of attacks on peaceful protesters in Nigeria in the context of End SARS.
“SERAP believes that substantial grounds exist to warrant the intervention of the Prosecutor in this case. Pursuant to the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor has power to intervene in a situation under the jurisdiction of the Court if the Security Council or states parties refer to a situation or if information is provided from other sources such as the information that is now publicly available in the country.”
Reports have revealed that over 49 protesters were killed all over the country. Other states that have declared curfew include Edo, Plateau, Ekiti and Osun.
The military massacre of the defend less protesters have been strongly condemned by the international figures.
