Army, Police Killed Protesters, LCC Manipulates CCTV Footages, Lekki Tollgate Panel Reports.

 

                                                The Panel Sitting

In contradiction to both the Lagos state and federal governments official stayement on the Lekki tollgate EndSARS incident last year, the judicial panel of inquiry led by Justice Doris Okuwobi final report submitted to the Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has indicted the Nigerian Police, and the Nigerian Army for their actions on the night of the incident with a clear submission that their behavior on the said night is tantamount to massacre and hence recommend that the officers involved  should be made to face the full wrath of the law. 

             Justice Doris Okuwobi Presenting the report to Lagos state Governor  

According to a CNN online publication today on the Panel’s report; lethal violence committed by Nigeria’s military on the night of October 20, 2020 could be considered a massacre, a statement which clearly contradicts previous accounts of the incidents.

The panel which was charged with investigating the notorious Lekki tollgate shooting last year, when armed security forces opened fire on young peaceful Nigerian youths who have been protesting against police brutality, especially the rogue SARS unit.

The report as submitted by the Panel which is seen by many islanders as a bombshell, accused the Nigerian Army officers of firing live rounds into the crowd, injured and killing unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification, in spite of the proven evidence that these young Nigerians were waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, hence consider their action a ‘massacre’.  The indictment against the Army did not stop there, as the Panel also submits that the Army also refuses Ambulance to render medical assistance to victims, an act that is against military rule of engagement. The panel thereby recommend that all the officers (excluding Major General Omata) and men of the Nigerian Army that were deployed to the scene be made to face appropriate disciplinary action, stripped of their status, and dismissed as they are not fit and proper to serve in any public or security service of the nation.

Also accused and indicted is the Nigerian Police Force, who deployed its officers from Maroko Police Station to the Lekki tollgate. The report said, the police officers shot at, assaulted and battered unarmed protesters, which led to injuries and deaths. The police also were reported to have tried to cover and clean up their atrocities, by picking up bullets. As a result of their involvement, the panel recommends that the Divisional police officer of the Maroko Police Station along with policemen deployed be prosecuted for arbitrary and indiscriminate shooting and killing of protesters. 

The Panel also accused and indicted the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) for refusal to provide vital evidence that would have aided the panel’s investigation. The company was also accused manipulating the CCTV footages presented to the panel during its sitting.

Islanders who we spoke to praised the courage and professionalism displayed by the panel, while encouraging the state government led by the executive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to complete the task by ensuring justice is served to all who were indicted and the families whose loved ones were killed or injured.