By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The United States Department of State says it could not verify the
alleged killings of protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 by soldiers.
A report by the US Department of State tagged ‘2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ was released on March 30, 2021 explained that accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at the end of the year.
Part of it read: “On October 20, members of the security forces enforced curfew by firing shots into the air to disperse protesters, who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to protest abusive practices by the Nigerian Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end.
“Amnesty International reported 10 persons died during the event, but the government disputed Amnesty’s report, and no other organization was able to verify the claim. The government reported two deaths connected to the event.
“One body from the toll gate showed signs of blunt force trauma. A second body from another location in Lagos State had bullet wounds.
“The government acknowledged that soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate. At year’s end the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution continued to hear testimony and investigate the shooting at Lekki Toll Gate.”
The report is contrary to claims by the CNN, which initially reported 38 protesters were killed during the incident, a claim the Federal Government vehemently rejected.