Nigerian activists have taken to social media to commemorate the two years of #ENDSARS protests in which Nigerian youths protested the endemic brutality of Nigeria Police and other issues but which ended with the invasion by the Nigerian defence and security forces at the Lagos Lekki Toll Gate epicentre of the movement.
This is just as the global human rights body, Amnesty International said that no fewer than 40 protesters during the unrest are still languishing in jail.
Leading the group of Nigerians on social media is activist Aisha Yesufu who took to her Twitter handle Aisha Yesufu@AishaYesufu to write: “Two years ago Nigeria decided to kill its own who simply asked not to be killed. Justice is yet to be served! #LekkiMassacre 20-10-20 #EndSARS.”
Tomy@iamtomyidowu wrote: “We will never forget. The president that gave the order, the governor under whose watch it happened, the party which was in power but most importantly the souls we lost. We will keep fighting for them and we will win. #LekkiMassacre #Lekkitollgate #EndPoliceBrutality”
Daniel regha@DanielReghe wrote: “We remember our heroes the Nigeria Government shoot at the #Lekkitollgate. May their souls rest and may their spirit chase those who were involved in their kill!ng.”
Chijioke Ifediora@CjIfediora wrote: “They were unarmed. Water could have been used. Gas would have been used. Yet they turned off lights & removed cameras. Shot unarmed youths. Returned to debate whether or not it happened. Today we remember a government sanctioned massacre. #LekkiMassacre #LekkiMassacre.”
Mykel@mykelKMO: “This day 20-10-2020 i was totally traumàt!zed, i couldn’t hold d tears watching this live. Those that still support this same people that k!Ilèd us may God judge you all.
Dunamis Progressing@DunamisProgress wrote: “Don’t forget that at this time two years ago, our gallant comrades where dropping dead with the flags in there hands and the anthem in their mouth. Arise o ye youth and take over the nation! We await our sweet revenge by 2023!”
Akpejiori Deoghena@Sweeethannah wrote: “A day we will always remember. 2years ago on this day,They had our youths massacred, m*nhandled, and locked up. Putting us, our families in pain and Agøny. WE WILL NEVER FORGET #LekkiMassacre.”
Nigerian youths across the country had in October 2020, staged nationwide protest over extrajudicial killings by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
At about 6:50 p.m on October 20, 2020, officers of the Nigerian Army led other security agencies to allegedly open fire on unarmed protesters who converged at the Lekki Tollgate, leading to the death of several unsuspecting citizens.
A report by Amnesty International stated after the incident that at least 12 protesters were killed by the Nigerian military.
A day after the incident, on 21 October, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, initially denied reports of any loss of lives, but later admitted in an interview with a CNN journalist that “only two persons were killed”.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government had also claimed that there was no single evidence to prove that any protester was killed at the tollgate.
In a statement on Wednesday to mark the day, Amnesty International said panels set up across the country to investigate police impunity have failed to deliver justice to hundreds of victims of police brutality, lamenting that the vast majority of #EndSARS protesters arrested in October 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained without trial.
According to the statement signed by the organisation’s Media Manager, Isa Sanusi, who quoted the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho: “The fact that nobody has been brought to justice over the torture and killings of #EndSARS protesters is a stain on Nigeria’s human rights records. Meanwhile, human rights violations by the police continue unabated.
“The authorities must ensure that suspected perpetrators of the deadly crackdown on #EndSARS protesters are brought to justice in fair trials and address impunity for police brutality.
“Two years ago, the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people at Lekki toll Gate and in Alausa, Lagos State, while pro-government armed groups deliberately instigated violence at many #EndSARS demonstrations in other parts of the country to serve as a pretext for the police to use of lethal force on peaceful protesters. Rather than bringing those responsible for the attacks on protesters to justice, the authorities have engaged in series of bizarre denials and cover ups.”
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-3295515171382151&output=html&h=280&adk=1640889658&adf=903110435&pi=t.aa~a.1482173847~i.17~rp.4&w=894&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1666243393&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=3319643946&ad_type=text_image&format=894×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisdaylive.com%2Findex.php%2F2022%2F10%2F20%2Famnesty-international-40-endsars-protesters-still-languishing-in-jail%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=200&rw=893&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1666246139662&bpp=5&bdt=30604&idt=5&shv=r20221018&mjsv=m202210130101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D5382c4b6ac9d6716-22e1a6427ad4008f%3AT%3D1659364450%3ART%3D1659364450%3AS%3DALNI_MZIbZexPKCq9uNqPt7TIJ4XebM_zw&gpic=UID%3D00000a6d43c06071%3AT%3D1659364450%3ART%3D1666163652%3AS%3DALNI_MbMcKsvu4uajjjIw0ojsMH81u8Y8Q&prev_fmts=0x0%2C894x280&nras=3&correlator=8594350715198&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=609378531.1588919139&ga_sid=1666246139&ga_hid=191021994&ga_fc=1&u_tz=60&u_his=5&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=728&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&adx=20&ady=2324&biw=1349&bih=643&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C44774717%2C42531706%2C44769306%2C31070415%2C44774606%2C44773747%2C44776448%2C31068921&oid=2&pvsid=2496926973952616&tmod=1089482168&nvt=1&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=-8%2C-8%2C-8%2C-8%2C1366%2C0%2C1382%2C744%2C1366%2C643&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=aKmq8P6DWR&p=https%3A//www.thisdaylive.com&dtd=177 He said since the #EndSARS protests, many people who have attempted to exercise their right to peaceful protest have repeatedly faced threats, harassments, and intimidations.
Specifically, Amnesty International revealed that Olumide, Rasheed Tiamiyu, Moruf Adekunle, Taoreed Abiodun, Ikenna Amechi, Afeez Ariyo, Ikechukwu Eze, and Adesina Ademuyiwa were among those arrested in Ibadan for participating in #EndSARS protests in October 2020, and their detentions were polonged without trial
“Despite reportedly suffering from ill health, they continue to be held without trial in Agodi Correctional Centre, having previously been detained at a SARS facility in Ibadan and Abolongo Prison in Oyo Town.
“Ayodeji Oluwasegun, Andoh Immanuel, Yakubu Olayiwola, Olaogun Ismail, Uba Chukwuma, Dosunmu Taiwo, Daniel Joy-Igbo, Yusuf Rafiu, Olawale Marcus, Muyiwa Onikoyi, Shehu Anas, Suleman Saidu, Rasheed Wasiu Bolaji, Adigun Sodiq, Sunday Okoro, Akiniran Oyetakin, Ogidi Isah, Ibrahim Adesanya, and Faruk Abdulquadri have also been detained without trial in Kirikiri Medium Security Prison in Lagos since 2020.
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“A further 21 #EndSARS protesters were held incommunicado for 15 months at Afaraukwu Correctional Service in Umuahia in Abia state for participating in the protests. On Friday February 4, 2022, they were released without charge following an intervention by Amnesty International.
“Many of those interviewed said they had suffered from health issues as a result of the torture they faced and the inhuman conditions they were kept in detention. All released detainees interviewed by Amnesty International said the authorities had not returned their phones, cash, and other valuables which were taken from them after the protests.”
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The organisation therefore stated that authorities must end the crackdown on peaceful protests, and promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially and transparently investigate cases of attacks on peaceful protests and bring suspected perpetrators to justice.
“The lack of progress at these #EndSARS panels is discouraging and reveals the authorities’ lack of commitment to ensure justice for victims of police brutality across Nigeria,” said Ojigho.
“All detained protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released. The Nigerian authorities must urgently respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to peaceful protest including by publicly directing security and law enforcement agencies to stop infringing on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Authorities should also ensure that victims of police brutality and their families are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation, and guarantee of non-repetition.”
