Yesterday, the Lagos state government resorted to declaring a 24-hour curfew effective from 4 PM which was extended until 9 PM to put an end to violent attacks by hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protests. Albeit, protesters at Lekki tollgate resolved to keep on with the protests. The youths sat in an orderly manner with the flag in their hands, singing the national anthem as they waved the national symbol to shield them from any form of attack. However, that wasn’t enough to save them as the army opened fire on Nigerian citizens in what is being dubbed the Lekki Tollgate Massacre.
Before the attacks, cameras at Lekki Toll Gate were disconnected and street lights switched off.
Lekki Toll Gate CCTV removed Few Hours To Curfew.#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/9S7qFsJ9c2
— smith gbenga LAWSON❤ (@Smithocracy) October 20, 2020
At exactly 6:44 PM, the military-led by General F.O Omota fired at peaceful protesters from a distance leading to the death of four while an uncertain number were injured. A tweet by Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, ‘they are shooting at the peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate. Please help‘ at 6:44 PM raged the internet.
In the video, A Nigerian disc jockey, DjSwitch, and other protesters on the ground tried to rescue a man who was hit in his thigh. The unidentified man died saying, ‘peace and unity‘. After unleashing bullets on protesters at Lekki toll gate, the military moved to Alausa where the street lights were also switched off.
https://twitter.com/ARISEtv/status/1318640822393470977?s=20
#BREAKING: Gunshots at Lekki toll gate pic.twitter.com/xFALGvmi6e
— ARISE News Feed (@ARISEtv) October 20, 2020
Protesters filled with rage set the Ikoyi-Lekki link up bridge and Oriental Hotel on fire while the military has been accused of setting Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith and Polaris Banks on fire.
There are different reports of the number of casualties and we cannot verify any of those numbers at this moment. May the lives of all those lost in the Lekki tollgate massacre rest in peace.
The soldiers are burning the banks !!!! Nigeria 🇳🇬 💔
— KING SMADE (@iamSMADE) October 20, 2020