#EndSARS: Nigerian soldiers shot in air at Lekki, says US

 

The United States government has claimed that Nigerian troops did not turn their guns on #EndSARS protesters on the night of October 20, 2020.

This was disclosed in a report by the US government on the #EndSARS protest which shook Nigeria last year.

Specifically, the report claims that Nigerian security forces fired shots into the air to disperse #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. This was revealed in the report by the US Department of State.

This assessment is contained in the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Nigeria. The report was released by the US Department of State on Tuesday. Equally important, the report contradicts claims by media outlets and persons claiming to be witnesses that soldiers fired live bullets at the protesters.

Although Amnesty International reported that 10 persons died during the incident; the US report says there is no “accurate information” on the fatalities.

“On October 20, members of the security forces enforced curfew by firing shots into the air to disperse protesters; who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to protest abusive practices by the Nigerian Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end.

“Amnesty International reported 10 persons died during the event. But the government disputed Amnesty’s report, and no other organisation was able to verify the claim. The government reported two deaths connected to the event. One body from the toll gate showed signs of blunt force trauma.

“A second body from another location in Lagos State had bullet wounds. The government acknowledged that soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate,” part of the report stated.

Meanwhile, 1st News reports that the US report is bound to generate reactions; especially among Nigerians who claim to have lost loved ones on the night of the Lekki incident.