Lagos suspends burial of 103 victims for them to be identified by relatives
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A mass burial proposed for 103 victims of the EndSARS massacre in Lagos in October 2020 has been suspended by the state government to give more time for all or some of the corpses to be identified by relatives.
Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso explained the plan was put on ice because of the controversy stirred by the announcement in July.
That Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu even acknowledged the existence of EndSARS victims is a great U-turn from his previous position that government troops did not kill EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
It also further exposes the lie of former Information Minister Lai Mohammed who insisted, despite evidence at the time, that soldiers did not kill anyone at Lekki gate in Lagos, rubbishing the claim as “massacre without bodies” to prove it.
Nairametrics reports a leaked memo dated 19 July 2023 shows the intention of the Lagos government to conduct a mass burial for the victims is causing considerable concern among human rights activists and civil society organisations (CSOs).
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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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Inquests, autopsies demanded before burial
Both Amnesty International and the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters urged the state government to suspend the mass burial and also emphasised the importance of conducting transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the corpses, per Nairametrics.
In response, Sanwo-Olu directed his Chief Press Secretary Gboyega Akosile to give to the public an assurance the government would adhere to global best practice in conducting the mass burial.
However, Omotoso explained the mass burial was suspended to provide ample time for people to identify their relatives among the corpses.
“It is to allow more time for identification as suggested when it was disclosed that the government was planning a mass burial for them,” he stressed.
“Up till now, nobody has shown up to identify any of the corpses. But the government has decided to give people more time.”
Omotoso disclosed the mass burial would eventually take place.
Background
News of the leaked memo about N61,285,000 allocation for the mass burial stirred reactions.
The government clarified the 103 victims were not picked up from Lekki Tollgate but from various areas of Lagos, including Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo, and Ajah.
The Ministry of Health emphasised the mass burial is to decongest morgues that have held the bodies for nearly three years in line with medical and legal protocols.