To date, the names of the people purportedly massacred at Lekki have not been released by those championing the #EndSARS course or families of..
One year after the #EndSARS protest during which some activists, media houses and international groups claimed that there was a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, there is still no evidence of large scale killing at the scene to qualify the raid as massacre, Daily Trust reports.
Security operatives had stormed the place and dispersed the protesters, but many videos had trended for days alleging that “dozens of people have been massacred” during the raid.
To date, the names of the people purportedly massacred at Lekki have not been released by those championing the #EndSARS course or families of the victims even as various hospitals in Lagos said they only treated injured people from Lekki and did not receive any dead body.
At the peak of the claims and counterclaims on what happened, Daily Trust had dedicated a portal on its website (www.dailytrust.com) asking families and friends of those killed to provide details so that the matter would be amplified.
Weeks after the announcement, nobody came forward even anonymously.
The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines massacre as “The killing of a large number of people especially in a cruel way; the bloody massacre of innocent civilians. Nobody survived the massacre.
Masked security operatives at Lekki Toll Gate
Wikipedia defines massacre as “The killing of multiple individuals and is usually considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when perpetrated by a group of political actors against defenceless victims.”
The federal government had repeatedly claimed that nobody was killed or shot at Lekki Toll Gate during the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.
Some people opposed to the claim of the massacre also said there was an element of propaganda being orchestrated by some people for ulterior motives.
They, however, said the federal government was also economical with the truth on the episode at Lekki Gate for claiming nobody was shot considering that many injured people were taken to hospitals from the scene.
‘CNN, Amnesty should tender apology’
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday on behalf of the federal government, demanded apologies from Amnesty International (AI) and the Cable News Network (CNN) for their ‘misleading’ reports that security agencies shot and killed some people during last year’s #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate.
He said the two organisations spurned invitations extended to them by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to defend the “phantom massacre” of protesters claimed by them.
The minister, who addressed journalists on Wednesday in Abuja to mark the first anniversary of the protest, said there was no evidence that anyone was killed or shot by security agencies.
He took a swipe at CNN and AI for ignoring the fate of the six soldiers and 37 policemen who died during the protests and instead trumpeting a “phantom massacre.”
The minister said the testimony of ballistic experts before the panel indicated that injuries sustained by the victims were not from gunshots fired by the military but locally-fabricated weapons.
“One year later, and despite ample opportunities for the families of those allegedly killed and those alleging a massacre to present evidence, there has been none: No bodies, no families, no convincing evidence, nothing.
“Sadly, the champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including Amnesty International and CNN, have continued to shamelessly hold on to their unproven stand,” he said.
No justice for victims of police – Amnesty
In a statement on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the Lekki incident, Amnesty International said “12 people were killed” at Lekki Toll Gate during the protest and that there was no justice for the victims.
The statement signed by Amnesty’s Country Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said, “One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a brutal crackdown by Nigerian security forces in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country, no one has been brought to justice for the torture, violence and killings of peaceful protesters, while reports of human rights violations by the police continue.”
According to her, “An investigation by the organisation found that Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people on 20 October 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate and Alausa in Lagos.
“Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.
“The organisation also found that detained protesters were tortured and refused or denied immediate access to lawyers.”
Ojigbo said President Muhammadu Buhari should fulfil his promise of reforming the police to end the reign of impunity Nigerians had been protesting against for many years.
Daily Trust had replied the Amnesty International via email asking for the names, family details and possibly photos of the 12 people it claimed were killed in Lekki especially in the light of the federal government’s statement earlier on Wednesday, which denied that no one was killed on October 20, 2020, at Lekki.
There was no response from Amnesty International as of the time of going to the press.
Also, CNN had last year claimed that 38 people were killed at Lekki. However, in its latest report, the cable network said it spoke to one Adesola whose son was shot at the scene.
Adesola told CNN that she was thankful because she was able to find her son’s body.
Similarly, in the eight minutes video shown by BBC Africa titled, ‘Lekki Toll Gate: Massacre without blood or bodies’, the remains of one Abouta who was purportedly shot by security operatives were seen on the ground.
It was preceded by the picture of one Olalekun Abideen (Biggie) who was displayed as another person allegedly killed during the #EndSARS protest.
According to the report, Biggie was a regular face at the protest but his family said they were not comfortable showing their faces on camera, therefore, the reporter interviewed one of them who hid and spoke from a dark place.
Our correspondents report that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had a day after the incident described the shooting at Lekki as a “dark note in the history of the state” and blamed the development on forces beyond the “direct control” of his government.
What Daily Trust did on Lekki shooting
Ten days after the incident, Daily Trust in an exclusive report titled ‘Lekki Shootings: Untold story of survivors’ published on October 30, established that some protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza were treated for gunshot wounds at both government and private-owned hospitals in Lagos State.
But there was no verifiable proof that anybody was killed at the scene.
Some of the survivors said they were treated in hospitals such as Reddington Hospital, Lekki; the Vedic Lifecare Hospital, Lagos also in Lekki, St. Nicholas and General Hospital Odan, Lagos Island.
One of the victims who spoke with our correspondents at the time was Agbeze Ifeanyi, a comedian, who was captured on one of the live videos when he was shot at 6:50 pm.
He was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital from where he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja for treatment.
Investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo in a special report named some of those killed at the plaza to include Olalekan ‘Biggie’ Abideen, whose death was confirmed by his mother and Abouta Solomon from Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State whose death was confirmed by his brother Nathaniel, who had invited him to Lagos to man his car washing business.
But there is evidence of a failed nation with everything still is disarray...the massacre on a daily basis by terrorists elements accross the nation, human rights abuses, amongst other vices and poor socioeconomic issues are significant enough to weep for humanity in Nigeria. What else is the evidence that anyone seeks .
Been shouting this since last year. But our people dey too emotional.. dem no wan calm down reason..
People watch instagram live, swallow drama. The same idiots that shout 'social media isn't real' can't even tell reality from lies.. lol.
I hate this country and government as much as the next citizen, but no come exploit my outrage with false stories.
Go Odi for Bayelsa state, go ask about massacres. Entire age groups deleted by the fucking Nigerian army, nobody dey remember dem..... What a fucking country.
What Happened was nothing other than lekkilies spread by LekkiLAIRS.
But emotions has clouded lots of Nigerian youths sense of reasoning that if you say otherwise about the so called massacre, you are seen as beast...
All we know is that nothing like massacre in lekki, everything was lie by some unscrupulous elements with their ulterior motives which is known already.
SmartProf: But there is evidence of a failed nation with everything still is disarray...the massacre on a daily basis by terrorists elements accross the nation, human rights abuses, amongst other vices and poor socioeconomic issues are significant enough to weep for humanity in Nigeria. What else is the evidence that anyone seeks .
Oga, dat one needs 60 years remembrance. This particular one last year na drama.
May whatever happened in lekki toll gate happen to you or a loved one. If there were killings may it happen to you. If there was none, may it also happen to you and you will live. Say Amen
Akwamkpuruamu: May whatever happened in lekki toll gate happen to you or a loved one. If there were killings may it happen to you. If there was none, may it also happen to you and you will live. Say Amen
Does this threat provide evidence? Abi na fear and guilt you wan use convince person?
Akwamkpuruamu: May whatever happened in lekki toll gate happen to you or a loved one. If there were killings may it happen to you. If there was none, may it also happen to you and you will live. Say Amen
No ipob post is complete without evil swearing, proclamation of doom, calamity ad destruction..
And you wonder why your towns and villages are facing brimstone, fire, destruction, death and the same evil you with other people.
You Igbos are always reaping what you sow, the evil you with other people always visit you..
Find the list of victims of Lekki massacre on the link above
EDITOR’S NOTE: FIJ initially included an elderly man widely known as ‘Baba’ on the list, but new information available to us show that the man eventually survived his gunshot wounds. His entry was accordingly deleted.
The 20 deaths we have listed here are clearly not definitive; this is an uncompleted project.
You should have read and comprehend the fine print at the bottom of the manufactured story article with names where they admitted that their story and list is fabu and how they admitted that one of the people they declared dead resurrected already.
You people need to stop bothering us with your massacre lies and propaganda..
Are you afraid? Don't you know how to go before karma? Wetin de scare you? Is it hard to say AMEN
[/s]
Afraid kini? When was the last time evil and evil people like you prevailed? Look at your burning ipob towns and villages burning with blood flowing everywhere, that's Karma and back to sender for you.
dawnomike: I keep sealed lips online for a reason. Come to Lagos Island and I will direct u to pay a visit to some families. #Peace
That's what liars say, you just want us to swallow your own version of lies, it's the same deceptive games, it's the reason why 1 year later all we have is the same lies and deception.
Bereaved mother of an #EndSARS protesters who was killed by security operatives at Lekki toll gate
Others are Anthony Chechukwu alleged to have been shot by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate has been confirmed to have died in a motorcycle accident and Lucia Adu who was claimed to have died at the Lekki Toll Gate was confirmed to have been killed in an accident involving a stationary truck on 20th October 2020.
See how another fake and lying mother all the way in London lied and staged fake news with her ipob collaborators that her son died at the toll gate, but the young man was not her son and he actually died in a motorcycle accident far far away from the toll gate.
This CNN fake news mother is not the first fake and lying mother and she won't be the last as long as they have fake new peddlers like CNN fabricating fake stories and parading fake mothers.
HappyPagan: Been shouting this since last year. But our people dey too emotional.. dem no wan calm down reason..
People watch instagram live, swallow drama. The same idiots that shout 'social media isn't real' can't even tell reality from lies.. lol.
I hate this country and government as much as the next citizen, but no come exploit my outrage with false stories.
Go Odi for Bayelsa state, go ask about massacres. Entire age groups deleted by the fucking Nigerian army, nobody dey remember dem..... What a fucking country.
I am a full fledged Nigerian living in it.
But we are bunch of hypocrites.
It seems our thinking ability is not fully developed because we suffer selective amnesia.
How come we care not about real massacres in Odi town and Zaki Biam, But comes talking massacre that we are looking for dead bodies to cover for?
Our thinking produces the useless leaders that thinks exactly like us. They also suffer amnesia like the citizens do because these leaders came out of them.
The plan was to kill the protesters by the military and go away with the bodies so that there won't be evidence
But if you still gonna make a mockery of the dead, may whatever that transpired that night be your fate and everyone so close to you
So no report of missing persons or the people they took their bodies away have no family? How come no family is complaining about their missing sons/daughters?
@NGpatriot, You beat me to this. I was also to post this topic today..
Same question we've been asking since last year, - where is the "Massacre" that the social media had been screaming for one year?
- where are the "Massacred" victims?
- where are the instigators that spread this unfounded allegation that caused mayhem across the nation?
LESSONS LEARNT: - Never quickly believe anything you see on Social media.. take time to analyse if it's actually true or false.
- Upto 90% of breaking news are to a large extent exaggerated!
- ALWAYS VERIFY NEWS ONLINE BEFORE RESPONDING. Don't Rush, Simply Hold On & Verify.
- If any event can't be backed up with legitimate proof, ignore it.
- Most people on social media are simply ignorant, mischievous, emotional, sinister, etc.
- Evil folks/online miscreants have taken over social to spread falsehood, hate, propaganda, etc.
- Since the incident, the World/International Media CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera have become careful to carry any related news from Nigeria. They fell victim of "fake reports".
I didn't say there may not have been conflict btw the security forces which I also blame.. If there were deaths as put out, at least we should've known by now 1year after.
Akwamkpuruamu: May whatever happened in lekki toll gate happen to you or a loved one. If there were killings may it happen to you. If there was none, may it also happen to you and you will live. Say Amen
What he asked for is evidence, u can curse till eternity, it will only bounce back on you because u are d one defending a lie
See how another fake and lying mother all the way in London lied and staged fake news with her ipob collaborators that her son died at the toll gate, but the young man was not her son and he actually died in a motorcycle accident far far away from the toll gate.
This CNN fake news mother is not the first fake and lying mother and she won't be the last as long as they have fake new peddlers like CNN fabricating fake stories and parading fake mothers.
That's what liars say, you just want us to swallow your own version of lies, it's the same deceptive games, it's the reason why 1 year later all we have is the same lies and deception.
You should have read and comprehend the fine print at the bottom of the manufactured story article with names where they admitted that their story and list is fabu and how they admitted that one of the people they declared dead resurrected already.
You people need to stop bothering us with your massacre lies and propaganda..
The report said he was shot among others who died.
The report said people were shot by soldiers at Lekki toll gate and people died
NGpatriot: . To date, the names of the people purportedly massacred at Lekki have not been released by those championing the #EndSARS course or families of..
One year after the #EndSARS protest during which some activists, media houses and international groups claimed that there was a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, there is still no evidence of large scale killing at the scene to qualify the raid as massacre, Daily Trust reports.
Security operatives had stormed the place and dispersed the protesters, but many videos had trended for days alleging that “dozens of people have been massacred” during the raid.
To date, the names of the people purportedly massacred at Lekki have not been released by those championing the #EndSARS course or families of the victims even as various hospitals in Lagos said they only treated injured people from Lekki and did not receive any dead body.
At the peak of the claims and counterclaims on what happened, Daily Trust had dedicated a portal on its website (www.dailytrust.com) asking families and friends of those killed to provide details so that the matter would be amplified.
Weeks after the announcement, nobody came forward even anonymously.
The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines massacre as “The killing of a large number of people especially in a cruel way; the bloody massacre of innocent civilians. Nobody survived the massacre.
Masked security operatives at Lekki Toll Gate
Wikipedia defines massacre as “The killing of multiple individuals and is usually considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when perpetrated by a group of political actors against defenceless victims.”
The federal government had repeatedly claimed that nobody was killed or shot at Lekki Toll Gate during the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.
Some people opposed to the claim of the massacre also said there was an element of propaganda being orchestrated by some people for ulterior motives.
They, however, said the federal government was also economical with the truth on the episode at Lekki Gate for claiming nobody was shot considering that many injured people were taken to hospitals from the scene.
‘CNN, Amnesty should tender apology’
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday on behalf of the federal government, demanded apologies from Amnesty International (AI) and the Cable News Network (CNN) for their ‘misleading’ reports that security agencies shot and killed some people during last year’s #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate.
He said the two organisations spurned invitations extended to them by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to defend the “phantom massacre” of protesters claimed by them.
The minister, who addressed journalists on Wednesday in Abuja to mark the first anniversary of the protest, said there was no evidence that anyone was killed or shot by security agencies.
He took a swipe at CNN and AI for ignoring the fate of the six soldiers and 37 policemen who died during the protests and instead trumpeting a “phantom massacre.”
The minister said the testimony of ballistic experts before the panel indicated that injuries sustained by the victims were not from gunshots fired by the military but locally-fabricated weapons.
“One year later, and despite ample opportunities for the families of those allegedly killed and those alleging a massacre to present evidence, there has been none: No bodies, no families, no convincing evidence, nothing.
“Sadly, the champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including Amnesty International and CNN, have continued to shamelessly hold on to their unproven stand,” he said.
No justice for victims of police – Amnesty
In a statement on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the Lekki incident, Amnesty International said “12 people were killed” at Lekki Toll Gate during the protest and that there was no justice for the victims.
The statement signed by Amnesty’s Country Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said, “One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a brutal crackdown by Nigerian security forces in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country, no one has been brought to justice for the torture, violence and killings of peaceful protesters, while reports of human rights violations by the police continue.”
According to her, “An investigation by the organisation found that Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people on 20 October 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate and Alausa in Lagos.
“Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.
“The organisation also found that detained protesters were tortured and refused or denied immediate access to lawyers.”
Ojigbo said President Muhammadu Buhari should fulfil his promise of reforming the police to end the reign of impunity Nigerians had been protesting against for many years.
Daily Trust had replied the Amnesty International via email asking for the names, family details and possibly photos of the 12 people it claimed were killed in Lekki especially in the light of the federal government’s statement earlier on Wednesday, which denied that no one was killed on October 20, 2020, at Lekki.
There was no response from Amnesty International as of the time of going to the press.
Also, CNN had last year claimed that 38 people were killed at Lekki. However, in its latest report, the cable network said it spoke to one Adesola whose son was shot at the scene.
Adesola told CNN that she was thankful because she was able to find her son’s body.
Similarly, in the eight minutes video shown by BBC Africa titled, ‘Lekki Toll Gate: Massacre without blood or bodies’, the remains of one Abouta who was purportedly shot by security operatives were seen on the ground.
It was preceded by the picture of one Olalekun Abideen (Biggie) who was displayed as another person allegedly killed during the #EndSARS protest.
According to the report, Biggie was a regular face at the protest but his family said they were not comfortable showing their faces on camera, therefore, the reporter interviewed one of them who hid and spoke from a dark place.
Our correspondents report that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had a day after the incident described the shooting at Lekki as a “dark note in the history of the state” and blamed the development on forces beyond the “direct control” of his government.
What Daily Trust did on Lekki shooting
Ten days after the incident, Daily Trust in an exclusive report titled ‘Lekki Shootings: Untold story of survivors’ published on October 30, established that some protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza were treated for gunshot wounds at both government and private-owned hospitals in Lagos State.
But there was no verifiable proof that anybody was killed at the scene.
Some of the survivors said they were treated in hospitals such as Reddington Hospital, Lekki; the Vedic Lifecare Hospital, Lagos also in Lekki, St. Nicholas and General Hospital Odan, Lagos Island.
One of the victims who spoke with our correspondents at the time was Agbeze Ifeanyi, a comedian, who was captured on one of the live videos when he was shot at 6:50 pm.
He was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital from where he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja for treatment.
Investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo in a special report named some of those killed at the plaza to include Olalekan ‘Biggie’ Abideen, whose death was confirmed by his mother and Abouta Solomon from Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State whose death was confirmed by his brother Nathaniel, who had invited him to Lagos to man his car washing business.
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