Lekki Shooting: After CNN Investigation, SERAP Asks Buhari To Support UN Inquiry
The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the federal government not to underplay a recent investigative report by the Cable News Network (CNN) regarding the October 20 Lekki Toll Gate incident.
In a tweet on Wednesday, SERAP urge President Muhammadu Buhari to engage the United Nations Commission of Inquiry to help in unraveling the truth.
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SERAP states:
“BREAKING: Following CNN investigation on Nigeria’s anti-brutality protest, we urge President Buhari to publicly support the call for a UN commission of inquiry to probe what exactly happened in Lekki shooting, attacks on #EndSARS peaceful protesters, looting, etc in Nigeria.
“A more independent, impartial and transparent body and process would clear any doubts about what happened, identify those responsible, restore the rule of law, bring about a measure of accountability and break the cycle of impunity, as well as ensure justice for victims,” it tweeted.
The CNN report had claimed that several footages and satellite images analyzed by its reporters showed men in military uniforms allegedly shooting in the direction of protesters at the popular toll gate in Lagos.
But THE WHISTLER could not independently verify the allegations made in the CNN report.
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Meanwhile, during the sitting of the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters on November 14, the Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, denied soldiers shot at the protesters, stressing that the army only fired blank bullets to disperse the protesters.
THE WHISTLER reported that Taiwo told the panel that the army was invited by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to restore order following the violence that trailed the EndSARS protests in the state.
“These scenes are reminiscent of the Liberian Civil War when the fighters believed that once they consume human body parts, they would be fortified, they would be strong.
“It was these incidents that made the Governor of Lagos State ask for military intervention and in my opinion, that was the correct thing to do since the police had been overrun and policemen were fighting for their dear lives,” Taiwo said while showing footages of unsavory scenes of hoodlum activities.
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On his part, Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu had said that the alleged unleashing of soldiers on unarmed Lekki protesters was ordered by “forces beyond our direct control”.
