Human rights group Amnesty International says it has confirmed that the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters at two locations in Lagos on Tuesday.
Thousands of people protesting against police brutality as part of the #EndSars movement had gathered in the areas of Lekki and Alausa where the security officers shot them, Amnesty said.
“Evidence gathered from eyewitnesses, video footage and hospital reports confirm that between 6:45pm and 9:00pm on Tuesday 20 October, the Nigerian military opened fire on thousands of people who were peacefully calling for good governance and an end to police brutality,” it said.
The rights group also accused government officials of removing CCTV cameras at the Lekki toll gate, where #EndSars protesters had been camped for two weeks, and also cut electricity in a “clear attempt to hide evidence”.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that about 25 people were wounded, adding that the authorities were investigating the death of one man by “blunt force trauma to the head”. It is unclear if he was a demonstrator.
Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called the killings “extrajudicial executions”.
He said, “Opening fire on peaceful protesters is a blatant violation of people’s rights to life, dignity, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Soldiers clearly had one intention – to kill without consequences.
“These shootings clearly amount to extrajudicial executions. There must be an immediate investigation and suspected perpetrators must be held accountable through fair trials. Authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families.”
