Unic Press UK: Several credible sources, including eye witnesses’ account, have either spoken out or aired video clips showing a massive gathering of peaceful protesters being shot with live ammunition; and left for dead Tuesday night at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Nigeria, by the personnel of the Nigerian armed forces.
According to Amnesty International, one of the international bodies that is closely monitoring the circa 2-week old #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, there is “credible” evidence of excessive use of force against the protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
Amnesty International has received credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos. #EndSARS #Lekki #Nigeria
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) October 20, 2020
While we continue to investigate the killings, Amnesty International wishes to remind the authorities that under international law, security forces may only resort to the use of lethal force when strictly unavoidable to protect against imminent threat of death or serious injury.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) October 20, 2020
Tonight Nigerian security forces stormed the most prominent site of the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, firing live rounds & killing several people as the government sought to end two weeks of marches against police brutality. Here's our report – and a thread: https://t.co/NPaZfSftpL
— Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) October 20, 2020
Other credible sources like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are demanding answers on why the CCTV cameras and street lights at the toll gate were turned off shortly before the shooting started.
#EndSARS
Who turned off the CCTV and street lights at Lekki Toll gate Plaza? Who sent soldiers there to shoot at peaceful protesters?— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) October 20, 2020
BREAKING: We're calling on Nigerian authorities to immediately open inquiry into reports that CCTV and street lights were turned off at the Lekki Toll gate Plaza before security agents opened fire on #EndSARS peaceful protesters, reportedly resulting in deaths and injuries.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) October 20, 2020
With the information in the public space, it appears the shooting/killing of many protesters on Tuesday night is a premeditated. A series of evidence – images and videos – have shown that the CCTV cameras and lights at the Lekki toll gate were switched off before the armed agents of the Nigerian government garbed in military fatigue opened fire at the protesters.
BREAKING: We're calling on Nigerian authorities to immediately open inquiry into reports that CCTV and street lights were turned off at the Lekki Toll gate Plaza before security agents opened fire on #EndSARS peaceful protesters, reportedly resulting in deaths and injuries.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) October 20, 2020
On behalf of @NigBarAssoc, the President, @OlumideAkpata has condemned #LekkiMassacre in a strongly worded statement tonight.#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/lLrSCdTAq7
— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) October 20, 2020
For circa two weeks, there have been nationwide peaceful demonstrations [under a trending hashtag #EndSARS] against the Nigeria Police and the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration over a range of worrying issues, including monumental corruption, injustice, poverty, perennial extrajudicial killing of innocent people, and so on.
The initial demands of the #EndSARS movement are five, given the Police killings which triggered this nationwide demonstrations. However, it is generally believed that the movement is motivated by the urgency to oppose/resist poor governance; and force the country’s political leaders to take on board a list of practical measures that would provide good governance at all levels of government, including regional autonomy, welfare of the people, tackling unbridled corruption, power supply, Police reforms, security of lives/property and so on.
