Amnesty International, the Global rights group, has given a detailed timeline of the shootings at the Lekki toll on October 20, 2020
It warned the government against covering up on the case, which has attracted global attention. The group has insisted that at least 10 of the protesters were killed by the soldiers that night.
Amnesty commented in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria: Authorities must stop attempts to cover-up Lekki Toll Gate massacre – new investigative timeline’.
The chronology of events by Amnesty incorporates photographs and video footages that established that Nigerian Army vehicles left Bonny Camp at 6.29pm local time on October 20.
It said that experts from its International Crisis Response established social media videos and photographs that confirm the Nigerian armed forces were actually present at the Lekki tollgate at the time of the shootings. It said that this contrary to a statement earlier issued by the Nigerian Army.
According to the group, at 6:29pm local time in Lagos, two military vehicles were captured on video as they were leaving Bonny Camp, adding that these were shared on social media.
“Later, footage shows four vehicles with flashing lights in a convoy, and they appear to be vehicles used by the Nigerian military and police.
“The same vehicles head east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue – which changes its name to the Lekki-Epe Expressway – in the direction of the Lekki tollgate. On this route, the vehicles pass several international embassies and consulates, including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission.
“Further photographs and footage capture the vehicles arriving at the toll gate, before the peaceful protest is disrupted by men in military uniform and gunfire is heard. As night time descended, protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings. Later in the evening, videos of the victims were also shared on social media.”
It said that at Approximately 6.45pm, the Nigerian military opened fire on the #EndSARS protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality.
According to Nigeria Country Director of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, the events at the Lekki tollgate that night contains all the features of way the Nigerian government covers up for its military when they are involved in unlawful killings.
“One week on, the Nigerian authorities still have many questions to answer: who ordered the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters? Why were CCTV cameras on the scene dismantled in advance? And who ordered electricity being turned off minutes before the military opened fire on protesters?” he said.
“The initial denials of the involvement of soldiers in the shooting were followed by the shameful denial of the loss of lives as a result of the military’s attack against the protests.
“Many people are still missing since the day of the incident, and credible evidence shows that the military prevented ambulances from reaching the severely injured in the aftermath.”
“The organisation is still investigating the shooting, and the reported removal of bodies of those killed by the military in an attempt to remove evidence,” it said.
