The coalition comprising #EndSARS protesters and their supporters has strongly criticized Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The coalition accused Governor Sanwo-Olu of providing false information to the public regarding the mass burial of EndSARS protesters, and they firmly believe that the state government was not sincere about addressing the killings that occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate in October 2020.
According to a statement issued by the Coalition of #EndSARS Frontliners, they have called for an immediate suspension of the planned mass burial of 103 bodies. These individuals tragically lost their lives during the state-sponsored violence and killings at the Lekki Toll Gate.
The coalition expressed deep concern over the leaked memo that revealed the approval of a contract for the mass burial and condemned the Lagos State Government’s insensitive and insincere response to the situation.
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The coalition further criticized Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his administration for attempting to mislead the global community, aiming to manipulate public perception and avoid accountability and justice.
They pointed out that Governor Sanwo-Olu contradicted himself multiple times between October 21 and 23, 2020, with varying statements about the deaths at the Lekki Toll Gate – initially denying any deaths, then acknowledging one death from blunt trauma, and later confirming two deaths among the protesters in Lekki.
#EndSARS protesters and investigative journalists firmly believe that multiple fatalities occurred at Lekki Toll Gate.
The Judicial Panel, established by Mr. Sanwo-Olu, has corroborated this claim in its report, specifically on pages 297 and 298, where nine individuals were identified as killed, and an additional four remain missing but are presumed dead.
In light of these findings, any assertion that denies deaths at Lekki Toll Gate or only confirms two casualties is deemed as a deceitful and audacious falsehood.
The panel’s report has held the Lagos State Government, Nigerian military, and the police accountable for the tragedy that unfolded at the Lekki Toll Gate, attributing the massacre to their actions.
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According to the report, the military and the police fired at peaceful protesters on October 20, 2020, at the Toll Gate, and at the behest of Governor Sanwo-Olu, the military reportedly removed the deceased protesters’ bodies in their vehicles in an attempt to conceal the crime scene.
The group insists that the government must abandon misleading tactics and confront the harsh reality that their actions led to the loss of innocent Nigerian lives.
They demand the Lagos State government to immediately halt the planned mass burial of 103 bodies at TOS Funeral Services and instead, implement the recommendations outlined in the Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s White Paper.
Furthermore, the group calls for a one-month notice period to allow citizens to identify their loved ones among the 103 bodies.
To ensure accurate identification, they urge the state government to conduct DNA mapping through a reputable private organization and also provide compensation and therapy to the families who have endured immense trauma over the past three years.
Despite the government’s attempts to discredit their actions, the #EndSARS protesters worldwide assert that they will not be silenced or deterred. They remain steadfast in their peaceful protest until justice prevails.
