*Lagosians Condemn Gov Sanwo-Olu Over Action…
By Shakirudeen Bankole
The ongoing nationwide protest against police brutality, also known as #EndSARS protest reportedly turned bloody on Tuesday in Lagos, as policemen and soldiers allegedly opened fire on the harmless protesters.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that about 12 youths were feared injured while some were in very critical conditions. One account said some were feared dead already in the Mushin and Lekki areas of Lagos as violence broke on Tuesday afternoon.
Also, four persons have been reportedly shot at by operatives at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State as at the time of this report. Many have been injured in the Lekki shootings and the death toll is likely to climb overnight.
Video footages of the massacre of the protesting Nigerians were trending on the social media, with voices of scared and traumatised Nigerian youths screaming for help against the seeming alleged brutalization.
Though the CCTV and security light at the toll gate were turned off before the operatives fired sporadic gunshots, a popular female disc jockey, DJ Switch, took to her Instagram Live to show what transpired during the heavy shooting at Lekki Toll Gate.
Peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate have been shot at by Nigerian security men. Earlier in the day, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at 11:55am, imposed a statewide curfew, citing rising reported cases of violence and destructions of some public properties across the metropolis as the justification.
But the protesting youths became more angry, vowing not to obey the order, which they claimed “is not only draconian, but a manifestation of the agelong insincerity of the government towards the whole agitation of the youth.”
Speaking with The New Diplomat, Miss Ruth Ruth (name changed because of fear of victimisation), a serving NYSC Corps Member, said “12 people have allegedly been killed in Mushin today alone. It is till unconfirmed.”
The 24-year-old who is the only child of her parents, broke down in tears, as she accused the Divisional Police Officer of Olosan, Police Command, CSP. Ayodele Arogbo aka gbakoje, of allegedly leading the onslaught against innocent and harmless protesters
The emotional respondent eventually found her voice, saying she has not been feeling fine since the incident occurred.
“I have been apprehensive since morning. For God’s sake, why would these people be killing the innocent young Nigerians, for protesting peacefully?
“12 innocent young people have been reportedly shot and killed here in Mushin just this afternoon alone. We have all being holed up in our houses, praying and scared,” she told this Correspondent.
Her account was corroborated by different video footages of the shooting, showing how young persons suspected to be the #EndSARS protesters were being brutally attacked.
One report showed how a young man in boxers, seen to be approaching his team was hit by a snipper shot on the head and died instantly.
The same gory scene also reportedly played out at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where Protesters, largely believed to be peaceful and unharmed youths were allegedly fired at by soldiers who opened fire on them. Some were feared dead in the process.
As at the time of filing this report, the shooting in Lekki was still ongoing, sending panic among residents and those in the neigbourhood.
Also, there was a captured incident where the CCTV Camera and Floodlights at the Lekki Toll Gates, where protesters had been camping, were seen being removed earlier in the day, sending panic to residents.
Many residents fear that it might indicate what might possibly lie ahead for the defying protesters under the cover of the night.
The alleged shootings reportedly happened more than two hours before the stated 9:00pm time for the enforcement of the said Curfew in Lagos, as imposed by the Lagos State Governor.
