EndSARS activists reject Sanwo-Olu’s plan, accuse him of ‘deceitful tactics’
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
EndSARS activists and supporters have accused Lagios Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of deceiving the public on his mass burial plan for 103 EndSARS protesters murdered by troops on the orders of former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2020.
The soldiers who carried out the killings were drawn from the Nigeria Army, part of the Armed Forces of which was Buhari the Commander-In-Chief.
The agitators said the Lagos government is not sincere about the killing of peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, which was watched live on television and social media.
Sanwo-Olu did set up a committee to investigate the murders, but turned round in November 2021 to deny killings took place at the toll gate.
Buhari declared through his Information Minister Lai Mohammed that the crime was a “massacre without bodies” in his denial and mocking of the gory event.
A statement issued by the Coalition of #EndSARS Frontliners urged Sanwo-Olu to immediately suspend the planned mass burial of the 103 victims.
“The Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters, national and global, are horrified by the planned mass burial of 103 protesters and civilians, who tragically lost their lives in the October 2020 state-sponsored violence and murder at the Lekki Toll Gate, and the callous and insincere statement by the Lagos State Government in response to the leaked memo approving the contract for the mass burial,” the statement said.
“The Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government continues to misinform the global community in an attempt to manipulate public perception and evade justice and accountability.”
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Related articles:
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EndSARS panel report exposes Buhari’s hand in massacre
US activist Ogebe urges UK to earmark Abacha loot for EndSARS victims’ compensation
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Sanwo-Olu repeatedly contradicting himself
“Between October 21 and 23, 2020, Sanwo-Olu contradicted himself three times. First, he said, ‘Nobody died at Lekki Toll Gate’; the next day, ‘One person died and it was from blunt trauma to the head;’ and on the 3rd day, he said, ‘Two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki,’” statement added, per reporting by Vanguard.
“#EndSARS protesters and investigative journalists are convinced that many people died at Lekki Toll Gate. The report of the Judicial Panel set up by Mr. Sanwo-Olu, established there was a massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, and pages 297 and 298 of the report named nine people that were killed, with four more missing, but presumed dead.
“Therefore, to state that no one died at Lekki Toll Gate or that only two persons were confirmed dead is a wicked and brazen lie.
“In addition, the panel found that the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian military and the police were culpable in the massacre of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.
“The report noted that the military and the police shot at peaceful protesters on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate.
“The military, on the invitation of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu, took away the bodies and corpses of the dead protesters in their vans, in an attempt to cover up and clean up the crime scene.”
‘Deceitful tactics’
“The government must stop using deceitful tactics and face the reality that their actions led to the death of defenceless Nigerians,” the statement added.
“We demand the Lagos State government suspend the planned mass burial of 103 bodies in TOS Funeral Services immediately.
“It should implement the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s White Paper. It should also establish a one-month notice for citizens to access the 103 bodies, in the hopes of identifying their loved ones.
“The state government must conduct a DNA mapping of all 103 bodies using a reputable private organisation. It should pay compensation and provide therapy for the trauma they have caused families over the last three years.
“As #EndSARS protesters worldwide, we will not be silenced or deterred by the government’s failed attempts to discredit our actions. We will not rest and will continue to peacefully protest until justice prevails.”