2020 Lekki toll gate shooting: Nigerian judicial panel condemns shooting as 'a massacre'

The panel's report underscores and repeatedly references earlier reporting by CNN, which used time stamps, video knowledge, and geolocation final 12 months to research hours of video filmed by protesters. CNN's investigation discovered the Nigerian military fired stay rounds into crowds at Lekki toll gate, killing and wounding a number of folks. Multiple witnesses additionally advised CNN final 12 months that ambulances had been prevented from getting into the positioning to assist wounded protesters. Despite an abundance of video proof, the Nigerian authorities has lengthy denied that protesters had been shot. Last month, on the one-year anniversary of the shooting, Nigeria's Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed described the incident as a "phantom massacre" and continued to dismiss CNN's investigation as faux information. The authorities and navy didn't reply instantly to requests for touch upon the judicial panel's Monday report, which cites CNN dozens of occasions. However, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated the Lagos state authorities would implement the panel's suggestions, in response to native media.

What occurred

The investigating panel was initially arrange in October 2020 by the Lagos state authorities to look into circumstances of alleged police brutality -- and the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad -- and later tasked with investigating the toll gate incident.

The panel's report moreover alleges cover-up makes an attempt by police, which it says cleaned up the aftermath of the shooting at Lekki toll gate and didn't protect the scene for investigators. "The police officers also tried to cover up their actions by picking up bullets," the report says.It additionally accuses Nigerian authorities of tampering with CCTV footage and eradicating the our bodies of the useless from the scene. The report recommends that every one members of the Nigerian Army apart from one main normal that had been deployed to the Lekki toll gate face "appropriate disciplinary action and be stripped of their status," earlier than being dismissed. "They are not fit and proper to serve in any public or security service of the nation," it says.The report added that "the dark days of military rule is over and more democratic principles and approaches are required to win both the peace and public trust."Reaction to the report led to an emotional outpouring on social media platform Twitter late on Monday night time in Nigeria. Many younger folks have advised CNN they really feel vindicated by the findings. "Tears filled my eyes. The truth needs no defense," stated DJ Switch, who live-streamed a few of the occasions of that night time and was later pressured to flee the nation.Akin Olaoye, who was on the frontline of the protest that night time, advised CNN, "The findings of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry in its report defining the atrocities at the toll gate as a massacre, is a big win and leads us on a pathway to obtaining justice for many of the innocent victims, survivors and lost souls still lying in unmarked graves." Serah Ibrahim, who took half within the #EndSARS protests and likewise gave proof on the panel inquiry, advised CNN justice and accountability now have to observe. "I hope all the recommendations are carried out. On one part is admitting it happened, on another part is accountability," she stated."Justice is totally incomplete without accountability," Ibrahim added.