The #EndSARS protests ended with an attack on protesters at Lekki tollgate on the 20th of October, 2020. Though not televised on local stations, Nigerian Celebrity, DJ Switch went live on Instagram and viewers watched as the Nigerian Army fired live bullets at unarmed peaceful protesters. Prior to this, the Lagos State government had issued a curfew for 4 pm and later 9 pm while unidentified men removed the cameras at the location on the same day.
Since this incidence, the Nigerian Army and Lagos State government have only shifted blames and changed the narrative. Despite video footage, the Army stated that its men were not present at the toll gate during the incident on Tuesday, October 20, and the viral videos of the shooting were photoshopped while the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu denied giving an order, however, the army rebuffed this.
CNN’s Investigations
Local stations in Nigeria failed to dive deeper into the #LekkiMassacre to corroborate stories of the protesters, Nigerian Army and Lagos State government for fear of being sanctioned by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. However, AriseTV damned the consequences.
The #EndSARS protests gained international support and an investigation by the Cable News Network, CNN, revealed that the protests took place, protesters were fired at by the Nigerian Army, a few died and some are still missing. Here’s a summary of te investigation:
- At 6:29 pm, soldiers moved from Bonny Camp Barracks, Victoria Island, Lagos State to Lekki Tollgate.
- At 6:43 pm, soldiers fired live bullets at peaceful protesters.
- The bullets fired were manufactured at Serbia in 2005.
- A document obtained from the Serbian government revealed that the Nigerian Army purchased ammunition from them between 2005 – 2016.
- The dead male body wrapped in the Nigerian flag with bloodstains has been identified as Victor Ibanga. This was confirmed by his brother, Elisha Sunday Ibanga.
- Another protester, Wisdom Okon, has been missing since the night of the protests.
- Dr Ayo Aranmolate, executive medical director at Grandville medical centre, Ikeja, Lagos State received fifteen injured protesters for treatment while others were referred.
The Nigerian Army and Lagos State government are yet to respond to CNN’s report on the #EndSARS protests.
Evidence shows that live rounds were fired on peaceful protesters in Lagos, Nigeria – despite the army’s continued claims that they fired in the air and only used blanks.
See the CNN investigation that refutes authorities’ shifting claims: https://t.co/fa8jTtNnYo
— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) November 18, 2020