Lekki Toll Gate Massacre: Sanwo-Olu Approves Mass Burial For 103 Victims Of EndSARS Protests

After nearly three years of persistent denials, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given his approval for a mass burial of the 103 protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests of October 2020.

These protests were a mass outcry against police brutality in Nigeria. Despite previous claims by the government denying these atrocities, recent evidence has compelled a shift in the official narrative.

This somber turn of events comes in the wake of a contract award to a private firm, Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd., for a sum of N61,285,000. This figure was confirmed through a letter seen by Mandy News, which was penned by the public procurement agency.

“Following review of your request and based on the information provided therein, the agency has “No Objection” to the award of contract to MESSRS TOS FUNERALS LIMITED at a total cost of N61,285,000 (Sixty-one million, two hundred and eighty-five thousand Naira only) for the mass burial for the 103, the year 2020 Endsars victims,” the letter read.

Despite this development, Gboyega Akosile, Chief press secretary to Mr. Sanwo-Olu, was unable to provide any further comments on the past denials made by the government. This decision is particularly striking given the government’s initial reluctance to acknowledge the brutal killing of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate, where the military opened fire on a peaceful assembly.

The Lagos State Government’s call for identification of missing persons following the protest was largely ignored, as fear of intimidation and harassment deterred individuals from coming forward. This fear was further exacerbated by the state government’s rejection of the findings of the Lagos State’s judicial panel of inquiry. The panel had concluded that the brutal response against the protesters, which led to numerous fatalities, was in fact a massacre.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s denial of the massacre, coupled with several questionable government decisions, such as the appointment of former Army chief Turkur Buratai as a diplomatic envoy to the Benin Republic, further fuelled speculation regarding the government’s involvement in the incident. Many believe Buratai’s appointment was a measure taken to protect him from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Evidence presented by the judicial panel indicated that the army’s refusal to allow ambulances access to the injured exacerbated the casualty count. The panel also revealed that efforts were made to clean up the scene of the incident and hide evidence of the massacre.

Chief pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Professor John Obafunwa, gave a chilling testimony before the panel. He stated that at least 99 bodies were deposited in morgues across Lagos in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, many of which bore the signs of bullet wounds, blunt trauma, and bruises.

“Of these 99 bodies that were confirmed to be that of protesters, three were successfully traced to have been brought in from the toll gate.” – Professor John Obafunwa

A video investigation conducted by CNN supported these claims, confirming that the Nigerian Army and police had indeed fired live bullets at the protesters. This, coupled with Sanwo-Olu’s plea for citizens to “move on”, makes it exceedingly difficult for the families of the victims to find closure. The denial and suppression of the truth by the government have only served to exacerbate the pain and anger felt by many in the aftermath of this tragic event.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Babajide Sanwo-Olu?

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a Nigerian politician and the incumbent Governor of Lagos State. He assumed office on May 29, 2019.

2. What was the #EndSARS protest about?

The #EndSARS protest was a youth-led movement that emerged in Nigeria in October 2020. The protest was against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuses, including torture and killings.

3. What happened at the Lekki Toll Gate?

On the night of October 20, 2020, unarmed protesters gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate were allegedly fired upon by the Nigerian military and police. Many protesters were injured and killed, triggering global outrage.

4. Who is Turkur Buratai?

Turkur Buratai is a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant General and the former Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria. He is currently serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin.

5. What was the outcome of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry?

The Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry found that the military had opened fire on peaceful protesters, leading to numerous casualties. The panel described the incident as a massacre.

6. Why was the call for identification of missing persons ignored?

The call was largely ignored due to fear of intimidation and harassment. Many individuals were afraid to come forward and identify their missing loved ones, fearing repercussions from the government.

7. What is the significance of the mass burial for the 103 #EndSARS victims?

The approval of the mass burial is a significant development in the ongoing struggle for justice for the victims of the #EndSARS protests. It acknowledges the tragic loss of life during the protests, and the ongoing demand for accountability and justice in Nigeria.

Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story at MandyNews.com.