We’re Unable To Verify Claims Of Killings At Lekki Tollgate, US Govt Says
The US government has denied reports that soldiers killed protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
It reported this in a study titled ‘2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ which was released on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 by the US Department of State.
The assertion that protesters were killed by Nigerian soldiers at the Lekki tollgate could not be confirmed, according to the US State Department.
The US government also stated that reliable data on deaths caused by the shooting was unavailable at the end of the year.
Soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate, according to the report, but no one was killed.
Part of the study reads:
“On October 20, members of the security forces enforced curfew by firing shots into the air to disperse protesters, who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to protest abusive practices by the Nigerian Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end.
“Amnesty International reported 10 persons died during the event, but the government disputed Amnesty’s report, and no other organization was able to verify the claim. The government reported two deaths connected to the event.
“One body from the toll gate showed signs of blunt force trauma. A second body from another location in Lagos State had bullet wounds.
“The government acknowledged that soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate. At year’s end the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution continued to hear testimony and investigate the shooting at Lekki Toll Gate.”
NEWS DIRECT reports that the latest report is contrary to claims by CNN, which initially reported 38 protesters were killed during the incident, a claim the Federal Government vehemently rejected.
