Nigeria shielding killers of #EndSARS protesters, says Amnesty International
Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian Government of shielding perpetrators of the killings during the nationwide #EndSARS protest.
The rights group said the government has “failed 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.”
“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 International’s reaction and many others have continued to trail the halted #EndSARS protest against police brutality, extortion and extra judicial killing of Nigerians.
For over two weeks, Nigerians, mostly youths in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities called for a reform of the policing, security system and good governance.
The protests, which started peacefully, at Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos turned bloody on the night of October 20 2020 when Nigerian forces opened fire at protesters.
A demonstrator holds a placard to protest against abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the Lekki toll Plaza in Lagos, on October 12, 2020. – Nigerians protested to pressure the government to follow through on disbanding a feared police unit after authorities made the rare concession in the face of widespread anger over abuses.
Around 2,000 people blocked one of the main highways in the country’s biggest city Lagos, demanding officials make good on an announcement on October 11, 2020, that the federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was being scrapped. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)
Although the military denied shooting initially but later admitted its personnel only fired blank bullets at the peaceful protesters.
But investigations done by Amnesty International, BBC, CNN and local media outlets cast doubt on the military’s claims.
Amnesty International said it has proofs in a new timeline of investigation that shows the government that the shooting of unarmed protesters was done by state security forces. it insisted unarmed protesters were killed that night by soldiers.
The rights group in October said “At approximately 6.45 pm, the Nigerian military opened fire on the #EndSars protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality.”
Amnesty International said about 12 persons were killed in Lekki Toll Plaza and Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos State. The government has since accused the rights group of falsehood and vesting anti-democratic interests in Nigeria.
The rights group said it is displeased that in 100 days after the alleged killing of protesters “No justice for victims, supporters of #EndSARS movement continue to face intimidation, authorities yet to initiate concrete police reforms.
“Some of the movement’s supporters have had their bank accounts frozen.”
The killing and intimidation of protesters, Amnesty International, said “have cast a shadow over Nigerian society that lingers to this day.
“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.”
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 another security forces called SWAT.