Somtochukwu

In a release to mark 100 days of the Lekki Toll Gate incident, Amnesty International (AI) Nigeria, a global campaign movement fighting for a safe, fair and equal world where human rights are enjoyed by all, alleged that Nigerian authorities were covering up in bringing the perpetrators of the purported killings to book.

Amnesty accuses Nigeria of covering up killing of protesters Rights group says authorities have failed to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for protests crackdown in October. 

Amnesty International accused the Nigerian Government on Thursday of attempting to cover up the killing of a dozen citizens during peaceful protests in Lagos last October.

Youth-led demonstrations in Nigeria began against police abuse, quickly spiralling into broader calls for reform.

But they ended weeks later when security forces shot at demonstrators in Lagos – killing at least 12 people, according to the rights group.

At a judicial panel, the army denied using live rounds but the Government promised to disband the much-hated police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which had been the main target of protests over brutality.

“Nigerian authorities have failed to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the brutal crackdown by security forces on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate and Alausa in Lagos in October 2020 and have brazenly attempted to cover up the violence,” Amnesty said.

“Since the assault by security forces, which killed at least 12 people, Nigerian authorities have targeted supporters of the protests against police brutality by the disbanded SARS,” Amnesty’s country director Osai Ojigho said in the statement, released to mark 100 days since the shootings.

She said some of the movement’s supporters have had their bank accounts frozen.

The London-based rights body challenged the Nigerian government to suspend accused officials, pending investigations, and to ensure victims access to justice.

In November, the Lagos State government set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the bloodshed and wider allegations of abuses by SARS featuring testimony by the army that presented videos to back its claims.

The government has promised a string of reforms in response to the protests, and disbanded SARS, replacing it with Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces.

Nigeria, where the median age is 18, is a tinderbox of deep economic and social grievances, and the demonstrations snowballed from anger over police violence to broader demands. 

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The timeline is available – here – 

AI: You are fast losing credibility – Lai Mohammed 

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed accused AI of disinformation and double standard.

“If Amnesty International has any proof, it should come out with it or shut up.

“After a lot of dillydallying, Amnesty International said 12 people were shot at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“They should take advantage of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by Lagos state to tell the names and addresses of the 12 people they claim were shot at the toll gate,’’ he said.

Mohammed also accused the global body of double standard in the handling of cases involving Nigeria and some other developing countries compared to some developed world.

He said the AI did not say one word when the American government arrested and are prosecuting those who invaded Capitol Hill in Washington aftermath of the U.S. Presidential elections.

“American government has vowed that they will search, arrest and prosecute anybody involved in the attack on Capitol Hill

“When Nigeria wanted to arrest and prosecute those hoodlums responsible for the killings of 37 Policemen, six Soldiers during the EndSARS protest, Amnesty International will find fault.

“At the Lekki toll gate incident in Lagos, they described the hoodlums as peaceful protesters, while the people who invaded capitol hill in the US were called insurrectionists.

“When the U.S. Government denied the investigators from the International Criminal Court visa to enter the U.S., we did not hear a word from Amnesty International.

“[b]They will soon lose their respect and credibility if they continue to operate this double standard,’’ [/b]he said. 

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