Nigerians are still reeling from the events that transpired at the recent Lekki Toll Gate shooting, where men dressed in Nigerian army uniforms took to the streets to open fire on innocent protesters.
Apart from the fact that the said protesters were unarmed they were also witnessed to be going about the protest for many days now in a peaceful and organized manner.
Sources had it that they were sponsored in terms of their feeding and health facilities with first aid in cases of emergencies. They reportedly just chanted and voiced out their opinions while dancing to songs by popular Nigerian musical artists and celebrities.
Prior to the attack there were speculations that the president of the federation who had not yet addressed the nation, planned to unleash the military on protesters. However, as a counter measure, protesters planned to come along with Nigerian flags as a sign to show that they meant no harm and also with the notion that soldiers don’t shoot at those holding flags.
To the dismay of the protesters they were shot at even without arms and many casualties were reportedly recorded as well.
What has now angered many Lagosians and Nigerians in general was the statement made by the Lagos state governor that ‘there were no casualties’ despite videos evidence seeming to counter this assertion.
Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, has however contradicted the governor and said there were casualties from the shootings and attack on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos on Tuesday.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, initially claimed no life was lost. He later admitted the death of one person who was taken to Reddington hospital for treatment.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said it was clear that the gunfire left casualties, and this needs to be investigated.
“Events in my home state Lagos, last night and up until this afternoon, have left my heart heavy and my spirit disturbed,” he tweeted.
“After sixty years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.
“It is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate.
“Therefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs this, and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night.
“I urge for calm whilst we get a truer picture of events.”
“In Lagos and everywhere else, too much blood has already been spilled in our country, let there be no more.”
Meanwhile, as a follow up reaction to the shooting and killings at the toll gate, many hoodlums took to the streets of Lagos to burn major government offices and properties as well and homes of persons perceived to be related to those who gave orders for the shooting. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Television Continental ( TVC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRCS), Lekki Concession Company, (LCC). Were set ablaze. Also some personal houses of individuals such as the Oba of Lagos, and the house of the Mother of Governor Sanwo-Olu and a large number of BRT buses at Oyingbo bus terminus were also burnt in the process. The City Mall on the Lagos Island was also set ablaze.
Former president and elder statesman Olusegun Obasanjo urged the federal government under the Buhari led administration to act fast and address the nation on the burning issues on ground and administer justice where necessary. He concluded by appealling to the protesting youth to give peace a chance and give the government time to address all their demands.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
