Gbenro Adesina
The report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARs Related Abuses and Other Matters has indicted the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police of displaying the height of unprofessionalism during the ENDSARS protest, confirming that both the soldiers and policemen recklessly massacred the armless protesting Nigerians for a better country.
The Panel clearly stated that both the soldiers and policemen shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters,
without provocation or justification.
The revealed, “That the Nigerian Army was invited for intervention in the State and was deployed to Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October 2020. At the Lekki Toll Gate, officers of the Nigerian Army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre.
“The Panel also found that the conduct of the Nigerian Army was exacerbated by its refusal to allow ambulances render medical assistance to victims who required such assistance. The Army was also found not to have adhered to its own Rules of Engagement.
“The Panel found that the Nigerian Police Force deployed its officers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th October, 2020 and between that night and the morning of the 21st of October, 2020, its officer shot at, assaulted and battered unarmed protesters, which led to injuries and deaths. The police officers also tried to cover up their actions by picking up bullets.
“The panel found that The Lekki Concession Company (LCC), operators of the Lekki Toll Gate, hampered the panel’s investigation by refusing to turn over some useful and vital information/evidence as requested by the Panel and the Forensic Expert engaged by the panel, even where such information and evidence was by the company’s admission, available. It manipulated the incomplete CCTV Video footage of the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October 2020, which it tendered before the Panel.
“The Panel found that there was an invitation of the Nigerian Army to Lagos State made by the Lagos State Government through the Governor before the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army deployed its soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October.
“The Panel found that there was an attempt to cover up the Incident of the 20th of October by the cleaning of the Lekki Toll Gate and the failure to preserve the scene ahead of potential investigations”.
Following their findings, the Panel made a total of 32 Recommendations which include reform of the nation’s police and sanctioning of the officers of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force respectively who participated in shooting, injuring and killing of unarmed protestors at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20 and 21st of October 2020.
It would be recalled that following the incidents of Police brutality in Nigeria, which resulted in the #EndSARS Protest, resulting into the massacre of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of 20th October, 2020, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu set up a panel of inquiry to look into the matter and various allegations of violation of human rights by the Nigerian soldiers and police.
The Honourable Justice Doris Okuwobi, a Retired Judge of the Lagos State High Court (Chairperson), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN (Representative of the Civil Society), Rtd. D.I.G. Frederick Taiwo Lakanu, Patience Patrick Udoh (Representative Civil Society), Mr. ‘Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya (Director, Citizens’ Rights), Mr. Lucas Koyejo, Esq. (National Human Rights Commission), Majekodunmi, Temitope Oluwaseun (Youth Representative Nominated by the Youth) and Mr. Babajide Boye (Secretary)
You can access and read the full report via this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sFvNF5pnW1HDLv9hN07EubXlYqkiJxrS/view
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