Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar
Malami, has said hoodlums wearing military fatigues — and not soldiers —
likely shot #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos state.
Nearly two weeks ago, protests calling for the disbandment of the
special anti-robbery squad (SARS) took flight across the country.
The police unit was disbanded but the protests persisted as citizens
demanded reforms in the force.
Protesters converged on the tollgate for 13 days before they were
forcefully dispersed by soldiers.
There are reports that some of the protesters were killed by the
soldiers who stormed the tollgate on October 20, 2020, but there are
disparities in the number of casualties and no clear evidence has been
produced.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, the AGF said an
investigation is underway to ascertain what truly happened at the Lekki
tollgate.
Malami said it was “pre-emptive” to conclude that there had even been
shootings, adding that “hoodlums” may have been hired to create a scene.
“You cannot rule out the possibility of perhaps hoodlums that set in to
create a scene… could equally partake in the process,” the AGF said.
The Lekki tollgate incident had sparked off outrage across the country.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, blamed the incident on “forces
beyond my direct control”.
But the Osoba Olaniyi, acting director, army public relations, said the
Lagos government invited the army to restore order.
However, he denied that soldiers shot protesters, describing reports on
the attack by the military as fake.
The army also said it will not disclose the identity of its men who were
sent to Lekki tollgate on October 20.
The judicial panel set up by the Lagos state government to probe alleged
brutality by the disbanded SARS has already commenced sitting.
The panel visited the Lekki tollgate last Friday.