Crime
#EndSARS: Coalition Demands Justice For Victims, Not Mass Burial
The move by the Lagos State Government to give 103 victims of the 2020 #EndSARS protest mass burial appears to have run into a brick wall.
A coalition of activist-groups under the aegis of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters (#EndSARS Frontiers) has voiced rejection of the proposed mass burial, instead, they are demanding justice for the October 20, 2020 violence and murder at the Lekki Tollgate.
The group’s position was contained in a statement made public on Wednesday.
There is a general perception that the #EndSARS Frontiers position is in response to the leaked memo approving the contract for the mass burial of the victims.
The coalition is of the view that the Lagos State Government has been desperately attempting to manipulate public perception in the bid to avert justice and accountability.
It stated, “The Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters, national and globally 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 Babajide Sanwo-olu-led Lagos State Government continues to dis-inform the global community in an attempt to manipulate public perception and evade justice and accountability.
“Between October 21-23, 2020, Mr. Sanwo-olu contradicted himself thrice, first, he said, ‘Nobody died at Lekki Toll Gate’ next, ‘One person died and it was from blunt trauma to the head and the 3rd day, he said, “Two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki’.”
The #EndSARS Frontiers pointed out that both the protesters and investigative journalists had no doubt that many people died at the protest ground.
They remarked that even the judicial panel set up by Sanwo-Olu confirmed the massacre at the Lekki Tollgate, having named some of the victims in its report.
“#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 & 298 of the report (copy attached), 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 only two persons were confirmed 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.” the statement added.
The #EndSARS Frontiers considered it deplorable that the government should have these overwhelming evidence and still be posturing that nobody died, despite foolproof evidence, which includes the FIJ and CNN reports, that innocent citizens were butchered by security forces during the #EndSARS protests.
“The government portrayed these citizens as “unscrupulous elements,” dismissing the leaked memo as the work of ‘mischief makers”, thereby exacerbating the pain and suffering endured by the families of the Ifeanyi Nicholas Eji, Tola, Wisdom, Abiodun, Kolade Salami, Folorunsho Olabisi, Victor Sunday Ibanga, Abouta Solomon, Jide, Olalekan Abideen Ashafa, Olamilekan Ajasa, Kenechukwu Ugoh and Nathaniel Solomon.
“Victims as well as citizens, whose crime was to protest against injustice and for a better quality of life.”
The group called on the state government to suspend the mass burial, implement the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s White Paper, establish a one-month notice for citizens to access the 103 bodies for identification, conduct DNA mapping of the victims and pay compensation and provide therapy for the families of the victims.
“Given the current climate and disaffection amongst youths and Nigerians generally; the high cost of living, occasioned by the fuel price increase among others, and to ignite much-needed peaceful protests, we make the following demands to the Lagos State government to appeal to the conscience of the public:
“Suspend the planned mass burial of 103 bodies in TOS Funeral Services immediately, Implement the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s White Paper, and establish a one-month notice for citizens to access the 103 bodies, in the hopes of identifying their loved ones.
“Conduct a DNA mapping of all 103 bodies using a reputable private organisation, Pay compensation, and provide therapy for the trauma they have caused families over the last three years,” the group said.
Three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang allegedly linked to the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested by security operatives.
The suspects were apprehended during a joint operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel.
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One suspected kidnapper was reportedly killed during a gun battle with the security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang.
The development was disclosed on Monday night when Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects.
Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said two of the three victims abducted during the August 2 attack had regained their freedom.
The victims, identified as Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, reportedly identified the arrested suspects as the individuals who abducted them.
“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them,” Onyia said.
He added that the arrested suspects would face the full weight of the law.
The SSG said the state government would continue to strengthen its security architecture and collaborate with security agencies to prevent criminal activities across Enugu State.
He warned criminal elements that the state would not provide a safe haven for their activities.
Onyia also cautioned residents against assisting or providing information to criminal groups, stressing that anyone found collaborating with such groups would be investigated and prosecuted.
“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate,” he warned.
The SSG commended the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies for their efforts in apprehending the suspects and recovering the weapons.
He further assured residents that investigations were ongoing and that the government would continue to pursue those involved in criminal activities in the state.
The Osun State Police Command has released the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mayowa Anjorin, on bail following his arrest over an alleged shooting incident during a political procession in Ilesa.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the commissioner’s release to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
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Ojelabi said Anjorin was released at about 1:00 p.m. after being granted bail.
“The commissioner has been released. He was released around 1.00 p.m on bail,” the police spokesperson said.
He, however, disclosed that an Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner remains in police custody.
“The Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner and the gun found with him (the Amotekun operative) are still with us,” Ojelabi added.
He stressed that investigations into the incident were still ongoing.
The commissioner’s arrest followed an alleged shooting during a political procession in Ilesa on Saturday.
According to the police, suspected armed men allegedly arrived in a government vehicle, alighted and fired into the vicinity of the ongoing political procession.
The suspects were reportedly dressed as personnel of the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps.
The incident reportedly left three people with gunshot injuries. The victims were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the police said investigations would continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the roles of those arrested.
The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested nine suspects in connection with separate incidents of deadly violence, including a fatal market clash, attacks on security personnel, and a homicide case in different parts of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Shi’isu Adam, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued in Dutse, describing them as part of the police’s ongoing efforts to maintain law and order across Jigawa State.
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According to Adam, two suspects were arrested over the violent unrest that broke out at Gujungu Market in Taura Local Government Area on July 26.
“The disturbance reportedly began following a misunderstanding between a soldier and one Biniya Alhaji Ibrahim, 25, of Miga Local Government Area, at the market,” he said.
The police spokesperson explained that the disagreement escalated into violence after the soldier allegedly stabbed Ibrahim.
“During the altercation, the soldier allegedly stabbed Biniya with a knife, resulting in injuries from which the victim was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” Adam stated.
The incident reportedly triggered chaos in the market as hoodlums allegedly attacked a police station, fired bows and arrows at security personnel, and set two thatched shops ablaze.
Adam said intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Muhammed Muhammed, 22, of Gagarawa Local Government Area, and Faridu Mohammed, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
In a related development, six more suspects were arrested for allegedly attacking two vigilante members with sticks and cutlasses during the same disturbance.
“As a result of the assault, one vigilante member sustained fatal injuries and was certified dead by a medical doctor, while the second victim is currently responding to treatment at a medical facility,” the police spokesperson said.
The six suspects were identified as Isiyaku Abdulkarim, 55; Yahaya Habu, 31; Ibrahim Abubakar, 30; Audu Mamman Janare, 30; Ya’u Duga, 65; and Mamman Musa, 20, from Taura, Gagarawa, Kaugama and Jahun Local Government Areas.
Police also recovered six cows believed to have been abandoned during the unrest.
In another incident, the command arrested 20-year-old Saminu Ibrahim of Gidan Gona Village, Ringim Local Government Area, over the alleged fatal stabbing of another 20-year-old during a dispute in Dabigel Village.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that an argument between the two youths degenerated into violence, during which the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest with a sharp metal object locally known as “Danbuda.”
The victim later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Acting swiftly, police operatives arrested one Saminu Ibrahim, 20, of Gidan Gona Village, Ringim Local Government Area, in connection with the incident,” Adam said.
He added that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation before being arraigned in court.
Meanwhile, the police said a stakeholders’ engagement involving Miyetti Allah, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, security agencies, youth representatives and other relevant stakeholders is ongoing to address the root causes of the Gujungu Market violence and prevent a recurrence.
Adam said the Commissioner of Police commended officers and other security personnel for their swift response to the disturbances and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
The command also urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing investigations.
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