As the report submitted by the Lagos State Panel on the Lekki Protest and the shootings that followed on October 2020, continues to generate reactions, the United Nations and the United States of America have welcomed the submission of the report and called for action by both the Federal and Lagos State governments.
Contrary to the positions of the position of the government, the Lagos State Panel said in its report that at least 11 people were killed while 37 others received varying degrees of injuring as a result of shooting by security agents who were called to Lekki Tollgate.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, declared that the submission of the findings of the judicial panel would quicken the process of justice and accountability.
Writing in a statement titled ‘United Nations welcomes the submission of #EndSARS report, urges government’s commitment to implementing judicial panel’s recommendations’ on Tuesday, Kallon said the implementation of the findings would help rebuild trust and start the process of healing and reconciliation.
“I welcome the submission to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of the reports of the judicial panel on claims of brutality and shooting in the Lekki area of Lagos State during the 2020 #EndSARS protests,” he said.
“I urge the government to implement the recommendations of the judicial panel of inquiry to rebuild trust and start the process of healing and reconciliation.”
Also responding to the report on Tuesday, the United States Mission to Nigeria said it welcomed the final report by the panel, adding that it awaits the response of both the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government.
The US government said in the statement “The United States welcomes the conclusion of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry with the transmission of its final report. We look forward to the Lagos State Government’s response as part of a process that represents an important mechanism of accountability regarding the #EndSARS protests and the events that took place near the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
“Those events led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces, and we look forward to the Lagos State and federal governments taking suitable measures to address those alleged abuses as well as the grievances of the victims and their families.”
