Endsars Anniversary: Justice is what we need- Amnesty international

By: Ibeh Fortune

Today marks one year after soldiers brutally shot at peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos in a desperate bid to quell the #EndSARS protest.

In a statement commemorating the October protest, Amnesty International says the Nigerian government has failed to bring perpetrators of violence and killings of peaceful protesters during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests to justice.

It lamented that despite the establishment of #EndSARS panels across the country, victims of police brutality were yet to get justice.

In a desperate move to quell the protests, the government recruited hoodlums who unleashed violence on peaceful protesters with a view to discrediting the genuine concerns raised by the demonstrators.

As the various panels turn in their findings, Amnesty International says, “One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a brutal crackdown by Nigerian security forces in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country, no one has been brought to justice for the torture, violence, and killings of peaceful protesters.

“An investigation by the organisation found that Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people on 20 October 2020 at Lekki toll gate and Alausa in Lagos. Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.

“The organisation also found that detained protesters were tortured and refused or denied immediate access to lawyers.

“A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted while judicial panels of inquiry set up to investigate abuses by officers have made little progress,” the statement said.

‘Fulfil promise to reform police’
Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said President Muhammadu Buhari must fulfill his promise of reforming the police to end the reign of impunity Nigerians have been protesting against for many years.

“Failure to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the torture and killings of #EndSARS protesters on 20 October 2020 is yet another indication that Nigerian authorities lack the political will to ensure accountability for these atrocities, and end police brutality,” Mr Ojigho was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Under the pretext of restoring order, horrific injuries were inflicted on hundreds of people and at least 56 people were killed, among them dozens of young people lost their lives as Nigerian security forces used unnecessary and excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters across the country.

“It is unacceptable that despite overwhelming evidence, the government continues to deny the use of live ammunition on protesters at Lekki toll gate exactly a year ago,” Mr Ojigho added.

Amnesty International said it had documented incidents at Lekki toll gate in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, showing the violent response of the Nigerian security forces to peaceful protests.

“The clear aim of the crackdown was to instill fear, discourage peaceful protests and punish those demanding an end to widespread human rights violations by the police,” it said.

*Source: premium times