Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, has condemned the shooting of peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos.
SaharaReporters recall that over nine protesters agitating against police brutality were killed and several others injured on Tuesday night after security operatives opened fire on them at the Lekki Toll Gate area of the city.
Soyinka in a statement on Wednesday accused the Nigerian Government of acting in an authoritarian manner by deploying armed soldiers on protesters.
He said, “It is absolutely essential to let this government know that the army has now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters.
“My enquiry so far indicates that the Lagos governor did not invite the army, did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’. Nevertheless, the centre has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche.
“Need I add that, on arrival in Abeokuta, my home town, I again had to negotiate a roadblock? That went smoothly enough. I expected it, and have no doubt that more are being erected as this is being written.
“COVID-19 has battered the Nigerian economy – such as it is – for over eight months. Of course, it is not easy to bring down COVID under a hail of bullets – human lives are easier target, and there are even trophies to flaunt as evidence of victory – such as the blood-soaked Nigerian flag that one of the victims was waving at the time of his murder.”
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Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a statement on Wednesday said, “The Secretary-General is following recent developments in Nigeria and calls for an end to reported police brutality and abuses.
“He condemns the violent escalation on 20 October in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries. He expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. He calls on the Nigerian authorities to investigate these incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The Secretary-General urges the security forces to act at all times with maximum restraint while calling on protestors to demonstrate peacefully and to refrain from violence.
“The Secretary-General encourages the authorities to swiftly explore avenues to de-escalate the situation. He reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support national efforts towards finding a solution.”
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The Nigerian Government has asked citizens to remain “understanding” and “calm” after peaceful anti-police brutality protesters were shot and killed around the country on Tuesday.
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhamamdu Buhari, made the comments in a statement on Tuesday.
He said, “Reeling out the steps he claimed have so far been taking to address the demands of the protesters.
“The Presidency appeals for understanding and calm across the nation, as the implementation of the reforms gathers pace at federal and state levels.
“The Presidency wishes to reiterate the full commitment of the Buhari administration to the implementation of lasting police reforms in Nigeria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes the promptness of these necessary subnational actions, and reaffirms his commitment to supporting the state governments to ensure that justice is achieved for all victims of police brutality in Nigeria.
“Under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the National Economic Council at its meeting on Thursday October 15, 2020 resolved to establish state-level Judicial Panels of Inquiry, to investigate allegations of Police brutality and ensure that all erring personnel are brought to justice.
“Prior to that, the President in June 2019 signed a Bill establishing the Police Trust Fund, to mobilize additional funding for the welfare and equipping of the Nigeria Police Force. Accrual of funding into the Fund, as specified in its enabling Act, has commenced.”
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More than 20 hours after thugs and security operatives massacred peaceful protesters across Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, are yet to address the country.
Buhari has only spoken in a short clip on Twitter since the nationwide protest began more than one week ago while Osinbajo made a series of tweets apologising to Nigerians for failing to curb the excesses of the police.
There is currently tension in many parts of the country at the moment.
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A former United States Vice President and presidential candidate in November's election, Joe Biden, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the killing of protesting Nigerians in the country.
Biden, who commisserated with victims of shootings by the military, said the government should embrace dialogue rather than killing protesters.
He stated that the US will stand with peaceful protesters calling for the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said, "I urge President Buhari and the Nigerian military to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one in the violence.
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.
"I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria."
The violence that rocked #EndSARS protests across the country worsened on Tuesday with 43 protesters and six policemen losing their lives.
The Lagos State Government confirmed the killings of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters in Lekki, Lagos.
The army after killing the protesters carried their corpses to cover up the genocidal act.
Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has strongly condemned the use of excessive force by Nigerian security forces on peaceful protesters in Lagos on Tuesday night.
Bachelet in a statement on Wednesday called on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to deal decisively with the underlying problem of persistent violations committed by the security forces and make a stronger effort to bring police and army personnel guilty of crimes against civilians to justice.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.
It reads, “While the number of casualties of yesterday’s shooting at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos is still not clear, there is little doubt that this was a case of excessive use of force, resulting in unlawful killings with live ammunition, by Nigerian armed forces.
“Reports that CCTV cameras and lighting were deliberately disabled prior to the shooting are even more disturbing as, if confirmed, they suggest this deplorable attack on peaceful protestors was premeditated, planned and coordinated.
“Nigeria was already at boiling point before this shooting because of the revelations about years of unchecked violence, including alleged killings, rape, extortion and other violations, by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
“While the authorities have now dissolved SARS and announced a series of inquiries at both Federal and State levels, there have still been few if any charges levelled against its members despite abundant evidence against various members of the squad, as well as members of other security forces and the army.
“I appreciate that the government has taken a number of measures to address the protestors’ demands.
“However, the immediate creation of another elite police SWAT team to replace the SARS -- without first addressing some of the root causes of police violence and putting in place sufficient safeguards to prevent future violations -- has eroded the public’s trust even further. This latest terrible event in Lagos is like wantonly adding fuel to a fire that was already starting to rage out of control.
“There need to be immediate, independent, transparent and thorough investigations, not just into last night’s killings, but also into all the previous violations committed by security forces.
“Those appointed to carry out such investigations must not only be independent and impartial but must be widely perceived as such. And, where sufficient evidence already exists to warrant charges, immediate suspension of officers – including senior officers -- suspected of committing serious crimes, should take place long before the conclusion of such investigations.
“After so many years of reported violations that have not been adequately dealt with, there also needs to be a root and branch re-examination of the entire security sector, and of its civilian oversight.
“This should include a full-scale review of rules of engagement and training systems and methods.
“Nigerians, like everyone else, have a fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest.
“The government has a responsibility to take positive measures to ensure the realization of this right, including deterring others who intend to prevent them from protesting peacefully. The world’s attention is now focused sharply on how Nigeria’s Government and security forces react over the coming days and weeks.
“In a population with such a young median age, it is important to listen to the grievances of the younger generation and make an effort to address the multiple problems they face, which include -- but are far from confined to -- police brutality and violations.”
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For several days, I have been part of the millions of people across the world who watched, exchanged and commented on or initiated videos, photos, and read texts, articles on #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria and many places.
Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos stood out. It was one of the earliest sites of the protests. Lekki area in Lagos is known for its large youthful population. It attracts the young upward mobile, new rich, struggling, celebrities and entrepreneurs. There are also those people who want to be identified with novelty, and parents who want their children to be close to where the actions are. It has residential, businesses and leisure places, all mixed into often indistinct communities.
Lekki, often a short label used to name many disjointed places around Lagos Island, has provided a territorial expansion for the rather small Island that got choked with economic and social growth over many years.
As was observed in the past few days, Lekki has become a haven of social and political activism, not only a place for so-called youth who want to enjoy life. The young people from Lekki and the rich and poor areas around it became the signposts of #ENDSARS campaign that has put Nigeria under immense pressure. These young people became arrow heads of unprecedented campaign to end police brutality and poor governance.
The group of #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate created an atmosphere. They ate, danced, gave political speeches all day long and even late at nights. They prayed, preached, worshipped. They organized services for food and refreshments, physical exercise and relaxation, medical and counseling services and security. They raised funds, disbursed and accounted for them. They made revolutionary statements, screamed obscenities, issued threats – all things that young, vibrant people do.
Bunmi Makinwa
It was all peaceful. The campaigners showed that it was possible to be angry, noisy, emotional and yet stay calm and non-violent.
In several parts of Nigeria, #ENDSARS protesters also carried out activities. Many of the protesters were controlled and peaceful. In some other places, protesters were confused with interlopers, hustlers, hoodlums and hungry people who for their various reasons exploited the protests. There were allegations of cases of sponsored hooligans who attacked and robbed people, committed arson to the chagrin of many Nigerians and the genuine protesters. The violence sometimes generated other violent reactions, and chains of violence grew across the country.
In contrast to the places that witnessed violence, throughout the days of protest, the Lekki Toll Gate site remained peaceful, steadfast, focused, determined to achieve its objectives. Lekki became a new symbol of young people’s organizational and agenda-led capability for initiating change. It would try the patience of Lagos State Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu who worked relentlessly to seek compromises and solutions, though with limited success.
The protest at Lekki prevented vehicular and human traffic flow; it disturbed normal life considerably, but it did not become a fighting site, nor did it become a place for heinous acts.
It all fell apart on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Firstly, a poorly planned 24-hour curfew imposed by Lagos State government gave little time for people to get home. Then as night fell, the usual lights and CCTV in the area were turned off. In the abnormal situation, military forces moved in and shot at protesters with what appeared and sounded like heavy military guns. It is not yet known how many people died or were injured. The civil and peaceful disobedience should not have earned protesters a long-term imprisonment, not even a life sentence. But they got fired on, condemned to death.
Is it the way to handle peaceful protests?
The incident at Lekki Toll Gate introduced a discomforting dimension to peaceful protests in Nigeria. It questions the integrity of its democratic practice built on 60 years of post-independence experience. No government should turn its armory against its own people, least of all its young people engaged in peaceful demands for change.
At this time, there are several investigative panels and committees looking into various aspects of the protests and actions taken by governments and security forces. It is critical that their work be done speedily, blame and punishment be apportioned, and remedies be applied. The main and initial focus on #ENDSARS an demands made by protesters should not be buried in the melee of issues – the protesters should reorganize and develop new tactics to attain their goals.
On 16 June 1976, South African policemen of the apartheid regime shot at students who took part in the Soweto Uprising and killed 13-year old student Hector Pieterson. The photo of wounded Hector carried by another student with his sister running alongside became a symbol of resistance. The incident radicalized South Africans who were against their oppressive regime. It increased the insurgency by militant students and young activists who sabotaged the government within. Many of the students left the country to join African National Congress’ uMkhonto We Sizwe (the armed wing).
Here and now, Lekki Toll Gate and the various images and photos online stand out as embodiment of the new generation of young Nigerians desiring peaceful change, facing an ill-prepared security apparatus of an odious, inefficient government.
Bunmi Makinwa is the CEO of AUNIQUEI Communication for Leadership
Bill Clinton, former United States President, has expressed concern over the violence unleashed on peaceful #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria.
Clinton in a tweet on Wednesday called for police reforms and an end to corruption.
Bill Clinton
He said, “I am deeply concerned over reports of violence in Lagos and urge the Nigerian Government to engage in peaceful dialogue with the #EndSARS protestors for police reform and an end to corruption.”
I am deeply concerned over reports of violence in Lagos and urge the Nigerian government to engage in peaceful dialogue with the #EndSARS protestors for police reform and an end to corruption.
Scores of peaceful protesters have been killed across Nigeria in the past week by armed thugs and security agents deployed by government to quell the demonstrations.
On Tuesday night, more than 10 persons were killed by the Nigerian Army at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos as they demanded for an end to police brutality and improved governance in the country.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant the application by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), seeking the revocation of bail granted to human rights activists Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who turned down the request of the AGF’s counsel, Kayode Alilu, adjourned the matter until December 10 and 11 for continuation of trial, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Omoyele Sowore
When the matter was called at the resumed trial on Wednesday, lawyer to Sowore and Bakare, Marshal Abubakar, who held brief for Femi Falana (SAN), told the court that Sowore, though was in Abuja, he was indisposed as a result of ill health.
Abubakar further hinted that Bakare could not come to court also because of the ongoing protest, which had crippled activities in Osun where he presently resides.
The AGF’s counsel, Kayode Alilu, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendants and also revoke the bail granted them having not been in the court for their trial.
The lawyer argued that there was no evidence of medical report showing that Sowore was ill and that the excuse by Bakare of lockdown in the state where he resides was not tenable.
According to him, they had no reason not to be in court having not been here in the last adjourned date.
Abubakar objected to Alilu’s application, adding that Mr Falana, who he represented, would have loved to be in court but for the crisis in Lagos, which had led to the 24-hour curfew.
He said the same scenario was what happened to Bakare.
The counsel, who informed the court that Sowore had just developed malaria symptoms and could not have gotten a medical report, then told the court that he got a message from the 1st defendant that he was on his way to the court.
Justice Ojukwu asked to be notified when Sowore arrived in court.
Shortly after that period, Sowore, accompanied by some youth, entered the courtroom.
Abubakar shortly afterwards inform the court of his client’s arrival.
Justice Ojukwu then asked parties to appear on the next adjourned date.
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Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of Nigeria, has condemned the shooting and killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos on Tuesday night by the Nigerian Army.
He said the action by the military would make dialogue difficult with young people in the country.
Pastor E.A Adeboye
In a statement on Wednesday, he said, “I condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 12 days as #EndSARS protests.
I condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 12 days as #EndSARS protests. pic.twitter.com/IwrtVb3Y7k
“The condemnable actions of the military risks driving the agitations of the young people underground, thereby making the situation unmanageable.
“I call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the tragic events at Lekki and other parts of the country, give justice to all victims even as it engages the #EndSARS protesters to reach a common agreement to end police brutality.”
Angry Nigerians on Wednesday set ablaze The Nation Newspaper head office on Fatai Atere Street, Mushin, Lagos State.
The newspaper is rumoured to be owned by a former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A staff member of the newspaper confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Wednesday evening.
“Our office is currently under attack by thugs. Your thoughts and prayers are needed for my bosses and colleagues who are there,” he said.
The incident follows the killing of peaceful protesters on Tuesday night by Nigerian Army personnel in the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos.
Over 10 people were confirmed killed at the spot yesterday while scores more were eliminated in other parts of the city while demanding an end to police brutality and state repression.
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take quick actions on the unrest in different parts of the nation before it is too late.
Obasanjo in a statement on Wednesday advised Buhari to restrain the military and other security agencies from using brute force as a way of ending the crisis.
The former Nigerian leader also appealed to the youth and #EndSARS protesters to give peace a chance.
Olusegun Obasanjo
The statement reads, “We are in a critical moment in this crisis and Mr. President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership as such. This is yet another moment when our nation is on the edge of a cliff.
“Our individual and collective actions now and in the next few days will determine where we will go as a nation. May God help us in taking the right steps in the right direction.
“The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in suppressing public anger and frustration
“Instead, such actions only reinforces the anger and frustration of the populace and closes the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution. It is clear that Mr President and his lieutenants did exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use of force.
“It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing despite overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control.”
The #EndSARS protest, which started across the country over two weeks ago, took a violent turn earlier this week after the government unleashed thugs and security operatives on peaceful protesters.
On Tuesday, the Lagos state government imposed a 24-hour curfew to bring the situation under control.
However, on Tuesday night, soldiers were drafted in to kill the demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate area of the city.
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There has been a general breakdown of law and order in Lagos following the killing of scores of peaceful protesters on Tuesday by security operatives in the Lekki area of the city.
Many persons believe that Tinubu has a hand in the deployment of soldiers to attack and kill young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the country.
Following the violent attack on the head office of Television Continental in Lagos by armed thugs, staff of the media organisation in the Abuja have been evacuated to a safe place for fear of another attack.
It was also gathered that police had been drafted to the office located in Asokoro in case of any eventuality.
Some of the staff of the station, who spoke with SaharaReporters, confirmed the development and said they were safe.
Thugs on Wednesday set ablaze the station following the killing of many protesters by the Nigerian Army at Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday night.
Equipment and cars worth millions of naira were burnt beyond recognition.
Meanwhile, there was relative peace in Abuja on Wednesday as residents went about their normal businesses.
Human and vehicular movements were, however, scanty in the city center and some satellite towns as residents stayed back in their homes to avoid been caught in the crisis.
Wole Soyinka 
Sahara Reporters LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate 0 Comments 21 Hours Ago
