International human rights organisation, Amnesty International (AI), has accused the Nigerian government of shielding government officials who shot at #EndSARS protesters in Lagos State on October 2020.
The organisation made this known in a tweet posted on Thursday in commemoration of 100 days after the incident, which occurred at Lekki Toll Gate and Alausa, and left an unverified number of protesters dead.
AI stated, “Instead of bringing suspected perpetrators of #Lekki shooting to justice and prioritizing genuine police reforms, Nigerian authorities have been abusing their powers by subjecting those who supported the protests to intimidation, harassment and smear campaigns. #EndSARS
“The bloody events of 20 October 2020, when Nigerian security forces killed at least 12 people during the violent dispersal of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki and Alausa, have cast a shadow over Nigerian society that lingers to this day.
“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. Some of the movement’s supporters have had their bank accounts frozen. #Lekki100days #EndSARS
“Nigerian govt. 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.
On October 20, 2020, soldiers opened fire on youths protesting against Police Brutality and bad governance under the #EndSARS tag as they converged on Lekki tollgate.
The Nigerian Army later confirmed that soldiers were deployed to the scene after a series of denial, saying the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave the order.