Group Calls for Justice for Victims of Lekki Massacre
By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja
A group, Nigeria Mourns has called for the immediate suspension and prosecution of all officers identified or indicted in the investigations, as regards the Lekki Massacre
The Group while stating its solidarity to re-echo the demands of the Nigerian citizenry through the #EndSARS protests charged the government to immediately ensure justice and compensation for victims of police brutality
In a statement by the group signed by Alu Azege, Abiodun Baiyewu, Benson Olugbuo , Chidi Odinkalu, Gloria Ballason and Leslie Agams for the Coordinating Committee of the JN-CAC/Nigeria Mourns, they recalled that the #EndSars #EndPoliceBrutality campaigns began in response to well documented traditions of predatory, unlawful and lethal methods consistently deployed by the Nigeria Police Force against citizens.
Nigeria Mourns which strongly condemned the ambush, shooting and physical attacks and killings of unarmed peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza on the night of Tuesday, 20 October, 2020 and in other parts of Nigeria called on the government to immediately constitute the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission and launch an independent investigation into the extrajudicial killings of Nigerians by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Army
“By later afternoon on Tuesday, 20 October, 2020, Nigeria Mourns had verified at least 18 civilians killed in these attacks across Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Ondo, Edo, Osun, Ekiti states, and the FCT. This was before the escalation that occurred on the evening of 20 October, when heavily armed and uniformed assets of the Nigerian Army opened fire on peaceful protesters singing the National Anthem around the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos.
Noting that Nigerian Army and Lagos State Government have both denied complicity in the Lekki Massacre, the Group offered its commitment to a partnership with civil society and Nigeria’s international partners for a reform of Nigeria’s security sector, especially, the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement added that Nigeria Mourns is working with various sources among first responders, witnesses and digital sources to verify the numbers and patterns of casualties from the massacre in Lekki, Lagos. Initial reports suggest that up to 50 people may have been killed. Many others were also injured. Reports as at the time of the release of this statement also allege that the attack on these unarmed civilians persist in various areas of Lagos state, including the Lekki Toll Plaza.
“In these circumstances, it is pertinent that President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, ceases his silence and rise to his responsibility to secure the lives and property of Nigerians; to promote and protect the dignity and human rights of every Nigerian; to ensure accountability for these crimes against humanity by the Nigerian security forces; and to ensure justice for every victim”.
