An article by Philip Aluola
Everyone is aware of the enormously demoralizing, gruesome, and depressing activities planned by the Nigerian government, A terrible incident called the End SARS protests which took place at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State, Nigeria, on the evening of October 20, 2020. YES, where troops of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed protestors, claiming lives in the process, and Amnesty International recorded at least 12 deaths because of what they called “extrajudicial executions.”
Where Initial reports of the incident were conflicting, and the Nigerian Army denied any involvement, but later investigations and witness testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel shed light on the incident, and it became clear that soldiers had been sent to the toll gate with both live and blank bullets?
Ok, let me do a short playback for those just knowing.
The End SARS movement had emerged as a decentralized social movement against police brutality in Nigeria, particularly calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS). The movement gained momentum through social media and sparked mass protests across the country.
International reactions to the Lekki Toll Gate shooting included calls for justice and a stop to violence against nonviolent demonstrators. The incident spurred inquiries into the circumstances leading up to the fateful night, as well as a Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
A CNN series that used authenticated footage, eyewitness testimonies, and forensic evidence further exposed the occurrence in November 2020. The documentary emphasized how severe the situation was and prompted more inquiries into who should be held accountable.
Even after the sad events at the Lekki Toll Gate, protesters persisted in their quest for justice and remembered the deaths in a variety of ways, such as through protests and demonstrations. The incident continues to be a significant turning point in Nigerian history and continues to arouse strong feelings both domestically and abroad. For this reason, I released my song “Below Peace” as a way of explaining the problems in Nigeria. I also made an emancipating song titled “You to the Rescue” as a form of counterpunch, highlighting the power of education and the mental slavery depicted in the music video.
Three years later, fast forward to the present. Imagine that!!!!! THREE YEARS!!!In response to the protests that took place in October 2020, during which Nigerian youths requested the disbanding of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Lagos State Government has approved a mass burial for 103 bodies.
According to the state Ministry of Health, the approval was for victims from different parts of Lagos affected by violence and community clashes in areas like Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo, and Ajah rather than the Lekki Toll Gate incident during the #EndSARS protest. seriously!!!!??
There was considerable misunderstanding because of the letter from the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency that was leaked and contained information about the funding for the mass burial. The government was clear, though, that none of the remains were connected to the Lekki Toll Gate incident. The deaths described in the document were the result of separate incidents that occurred around the state and were unrelated to the Lekki Toll Gate.
The chief pathologist for Lagos State had previously been asked by the #EndSARS Panel to provide information on unclaimed bodies that had been lodged at the state central mortuary around the time of the Lekki Toll Gate incident. The decision to decongest the morgues through a rigorous and legal process of collective burial for those victims came about after the bodies sat unclaimed for almost three years.
Many Nigerians, including me, have expressed their view that there were many casualties during the protests, but the government’s failure to provide a well-supported explanation has caused suspicion and cynicism among the general public.In a democracy, it is both the right and the responsibility of the government to inform the populace honestly and openly, particularly during times of emergency or catastrophic events. Failure to do so by the government may result in a decline in public confidence in its competence as a leader. The public’s concerns must be addressed in order for the government to win their support.
Communication, accountability, and a commitment to finding the truth.
Information dissemination plays a vital role in any society, and it is essential for all Nigerians to engage in responsible sharing and seeking of information. Transparent and accurate reporting by the media, coupled with government accountability, can contribute to a better-informed populace and foster a sense of trust between the government and the citizens.
Ultimately, it is essential for the government and the people to work together in ensuring that the truth is uncovered, justice is served, and measures are taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Open dialogue, accountability, and a commitment to truth and justice can help bridge the gap of mistrust and chaos in the wake of events like the Lekki Toll Gate incident.
References.
1. “Nigeria Sars protests: Horror over shootings in Lagos”. BBC. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
2. Paquette, Danielle. “Why are people talking about Nigeria and #EndSARS?”. Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
3. “Nigerian Forces Killed None of the Peaceful Protesters, Amnesty Says”. AP. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
4. “Sanwo-Olu: There is no international pressure”. CNN. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
5. “#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu confirms two deaths from Lekki shooting”. Premium Times. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
6. Madu, ONUORAH (22 October 2020). “Nigerian military says trending videos of soldiers opening fire on EndSARS protesters are photoshop”. Panafrican News Agency. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.