At the heels of the Lekki Shooting of ENDSARS protesters on October 20, 2020; many people, particularly government apologists denied that protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate were either assaulted or killed. More than one year after the incident, the 309-page report, of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution on Lekki Toll Gate Shooting and Police Brutality has not only confirmed that protesters were actually killed but went a step further to indict the Police, Army and the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) for being complicit in the dastardly acts that occurred in Lekki that Octobee 20, 2020.
The panel led by Doris Okuwobi, a retired Judge has since presented the 309 page report to Governor Sanwo – Olu of Lagos State. Gov. Sannwo – Olu has set up a four member committee led by the State Attorney General to prepare and release a White paper within two weeks.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARRY OF THE REPORT
“The panel in its report found that on October 20, 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 October 20, 2020, and between that night and the morning of October 21, 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 LCC (Lekki Concession Company) 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 October 20, 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 October 20. The panel found that there was an attempt to cover up the Incident of October 20, by the cleaning of the Lekki Toll Gate and the failure to preserve the scene ahead of potential investigations.”
PANEL MAKES 32 RECOMMENDATIONS
The Panel also made a total of 32 recommendations, which include “holistic Police Reforms covering welfare, training and proper equipping of Policemen and their working environment; 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 October 20 and 21, 2020;
“Development of more robust engagement between the Youth and the Government;
“Setting up of a Standing Committee/Tribunal to deal with cases of violation of human rights by security agencies and a trust fund to settle compensation awarded by such committee/tribunal;
“A public apology to ENDSARS protesters, who were killed, injured and traumatized by the Incident of October 20, 2020, and the memorialisation of the Lekki Toll Gate and the October 20, going forward.”
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It’s so pathetic and emotional for me
These souls are just wasted by a govt without care and listening ears by the masses