Unanswered Questions about Lekki Toll Gate Massacre on the 20th October 2020


It came as a shock to me and many other Nigerians waking up to the news of some unarmed youths shot at by security officials at the most coordinated protest ground in Lagos, Nigeria. The exact figures of fatalities were unaccounted for considering some middle grounds. These were based on the controversial news spread by the protesters, the state government, the Nigerian Army and the Presidency across the mass media. 

Mr Governor said, "forces beyond his direct control were responsible for the heinous act" in his speech on the 21st October 2020. He went further to say there were no fatalities recorded. The Nigerian Army denied involvement in the horrific scene while the Presidency also maintained the same ground as others making the storyline more complicated. 

However, there were a series of events possibly justifying that the horrible attack on harmless protesters were deliberate actions to frustrate youths clarion call to end police brutality and bad governance in the country, Nigeria. 

Some protesters interviewed at the terrific scene downplayed the claims of the Nigerian Army saying the force were the ones who shot at them that night of 20th October 2020.  What could have settled this case easily would be the availability of the CCTV footage of that night's event by the LCC. None has been shown to the general public as at this day.

READ MORE: Key Observations from EndSARS Protest Across the Nation

Noteworthy, lights were off at the time the evil was perpetrated which therefore increased the long list of unanswered questions about the Lekki toll Gate saga to include:

  • Who gave the order for the killings of peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate?
  • Which arm of the security was ordered to shoot at unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate?
  • Who led the squad to shoot at the most coordinated and peaceful protest ground in Lagos, Nigeria? 
  • Why was the power supply that had lighten up their activities for over seven days switched off, suddenly?
  • Why was there no CCTV footage of the events released by the LCC?
  • What gave them the effrontery to believe shooting at unarmed protesters would amount to nothing?

These are pressing questions worth asking all stakeholders involved at this time. We hope and pray to get answers for these questions with proper justice meted out to the persons behind the massacres. Note, I had to write this today because I have been struggling psychologically to go about normal routines every since that news. 

Now imagine how the people at the scene that night would feel right now - terrified, traumatised, depressed, worn-out, broken... How did you feel when you heard the news? And how are you feeling right now? We would like to hear from you in the comment button. Thanks.

Comments

  1. The killing of nigeria youth is pure wickedness because the protesters were harmless now the killing at lekki toll gate was lead by tiunbu and he was the one that ordered them to kill innocent protesters and the arm of security that were shooting were the soldiers which is not supposed to be so because they took a bow never to kill their own citizen instead protect them but they turned their backs on the people and killed them and the reason why there was no CCTV camera that day when the whole thing happened was because CCTV cameras were brought down under the order of tiunbu so there will no be any evidence of the incident the power supply was turned on so as nobody will be able to see his face they think killing the protesters will make people not to protest and it is in the constitution that every one has the right to protest against bad governance

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  2. I am exasperated because if something as heinous as this can take place in a civil society like Nigerian that means this is not the first time just that the others must have be hidden and buried underground...
    When I heard the news I was totally broken because I felt we were getting somewhere with this country that needs cleansing only for them to shed more innocent blood and the most annoying part is that there is no accountability from the government at least feel compassion feel something ,stop treating Nigerians like we are robots .
    A lot of people were broken after that day thoughtless of people that were present that day ,most of them might even have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) after all this and the ones who lost their lives what about their families
    Their families didn't even get compensation for what happened it makes me weep because it's totally appalling.
    The army denies involvement, the governor gave false news and our president still hasn't said anything about what happened ,all this shows we don't have a responsible government .
    I am hoping and praying we get the full information of what really happened that fateful day on the 20th of October 2020 (black Tuesday) and the ones who lost their lives get justice.

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  3. I feel really sad for the people that were involved in the massacre when I heard the news I was live on ig Instagram on dj switch feed I was really trefied am still terrified for the government or any one to do such a thing is regarded as being heartless but any how all hope on God
    But we thank God things are getting back to normal is just remaining the curfew to drop 😇😇

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  4. I feel that the government did all that to stop the youths from protesting. Like what the governor of Lagos State said " forces beyond his direct control were responsible for the heinous act". I feel he maybe right, but he's not meant to say there wasn't any case of killing that night.
    But to be honest those forces that were sent to spray bullets at the youth might be sent from the above authority.

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  5. I personally had been following the peaceful protests closely on all available social media platforms, up until news stations begin to carry informations on the protests.
    The night of the massacre was one that I can't sum up into words. The very first image I saw was that of the Nigerian flag covered in what was said to be blood. Then I saw the video of a youth that was shot and died while singing the last two words of the Nigerian anthem's first stanza.
    Seeing the above mention posts, I didn't feel anything, I was numb, I was blank. I didn't believe it, I didn't know what to believe so I decided to continue scrolling through the available posts to see what else has been posted. I then came across the live video of dj switch with poco Lee and samklef.
    Seeing her running, hearing her voice shaking, hearing her call for help, I froze, I couldn't imagine that was happening, I didn't even know what to feel. I didn't know the right emotion for that moment, was I supposed to feel angry, scared, sad, perplexed, I honestly didn't feel nothing.
    I know that sounds heartless, and I don't mean to sound that way but that was how I felt. I watched numerous heart breaking, emotional, and psychologically shattering videos, stories and pictures.
    That night is one that the world would never forget, it is one I would never forget, it is one that would be remembered for its infamous events. I truly truly sympathize with those who lost loved ones or who were fore frontiers at this event. I do feel certain emotions, I have lost loved ones and people that are important to me.
    Till this very moment as I type in my comment I still don't feel anything, I don't know why that is but I would like to believe it's my brains way of protecting me from feeling such tremendous amount of pain and have a mental breakdown.
    Today I woke up with hope and faith that the deaths of our brothers and sisters, the trauma that our fellow citizens faced for the betterment of this country would not be in vain. For greatness to occur, for change to come certain evil has to occur, lives lost and pain caused. One day no matter when it is, one day this country would become everything our ancestors have dreamt of and more.

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  6. I felt devastated and I felt broken and depressed Cause a lot of people died and how would there family feel
    Right now I feel all the people that died there death must not be in vain the government have to pay for what they did

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    Replies
    1. Let's be hopeful of a country anchored on truth, peace, justice, and equality.

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  7. 1. Who gave the order for the killings of peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate?
    The Lekki massacre which occurred on the 20th of August indeed came as shock to many Nigerians cause innocent citizens who were out protesting were shot at by armed soldiers.
    According to most Nigerians, the government are on the list of suspects.
    As a Criminologists, I’d say that the government indeed has an hand in the shootings.
    Late Abacha said that if any insurgency lasts more than 24hours, then government officials have a hand in it.
    Now looking at the issue, soldiers acts on commands/orders. They wouldn’t just wake up and say they want to go to a protest ground without being ordered to do so.
    Days before the massacre, broadcast message, VNs( voice messages) was sent across to people by unknown persons informing us about the deployment of soldiers to protest grounds. In the VNs, peaceful protesters were adviced to go with a Nigerian flag (this will serve as a saving grace as military men don’t shoot at people who carries the National flag).
    On the Tuesday which happens to be the day of the protest, peaceful protesters were seen with the Nigerian flag.
    At about 6:30pm in the evening, the shootings began.
    The chief of army staff has some questions to answer
    According to him he knows nothing about the deployment of soldiers doesn’t he?
    If yes, I’m pretty sure he saw the broadcast message about the deployment of soldiers.
    If indeed the Nigerian army with the backing of the government knew nothing about it they should have addressed the public immediately telling them they wound’nt be any involvement of such.
    2. Which arm of the security was ordered to shoot at unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate?
    As seen in the video evidence, armed soldiers were ordered to shoot at peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
    3. Who led the squad to shoot at the most coordinated and peaceful protest ground in Lagos, Nigeria?
    Till now, no one as accepted claim that they led the squad. Inspite the forensic analysis proving that the video evidence is authentic, the Nigerian Army says the reports are fake and the Defence Headquarters’ claim that the footage was doctored.
    4. Why was the power supply that had lighten up their activities for over seven days switched off, suddenly?
    Recently, this question has been the most asked for the past few days.
    Of course, here’s another evidence to show that the government has an hand in the massacre.
    Everyone who plies the Lekki toll gate well knows for a fact that the lights including the bill board lights are always on.
    According to Seyi Tinubu, he said the lights were switched off that night in adherence to the curfew order enforced by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu.
    5. Why was there no CCTV footage of the events released by the LCC?
    Following the update, the LCC – Lekki concession company limited stated that the CCTV wasn’t removed.
    They said there was no instruction from anyond to remove the perimeter CCTV cameras. They also stated that removing them will require the use of machinery to reach the heights that they have been installed and are still installed.
    Before the shootings started, some group of people were seen at the Lekki protest ground dressed as technicians. When asked. They said they were from the government.
    6. What gave them the effrontery to believe shooting at unarmed protesters would amount to nothing?
    They had the effrontery to believe shooting at unarmed protesters would amount to nothing because obviously they have backings from some higher ups who is suspected to be the government.
    As corruption is the order of the day in Nigeria, those that shot at unarmed protesters knew for a fact that the whole massacre would die down, typical example of what is happening presently- no one as stood up to claim that they sent the soldiers. Even the Nigerian army said that the video evidence was doctored.

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  8. I just feel that this government take us as a big joke. Nigeria is crying we need serious help. We can't continue to live like this. This isn't what we signed up for. Like this write up above stated, we need serious answers for the questions. How can a government who we pledge our allegiance to open fire at peaceful protesters, that's so absurd. Then one useless man came to say it was photoshopped!!!!!
    To be really honest, this government don't deserve citizens like us. They treat us like animals, they kill us. That's sad mehn. As it stands, this is one week after the lekki massacre, the government are still denying. What exactly do they take us for?? The the "jagaban" like he calls himself denys its too and was laughing when they asked him that question.
    I really really feel for the family of the deceased. Like how will they feel, how will they cope ?? We really need answers to questions.
    I just pray Nigeria will be better. We just need good leader. I feel it's time for Buhari and his members to leave the throne. We can't be suffering and be slaves in our own country.

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  9. Their families didn't even get compensation for what happened it makes me weep because it's totally appalling.
    The army denies involvement, the governor gave false news and our president still hasn't said anything about what happened ,all this shows we don't have a responsible government .
    I am hoping and praying we get the full information of what really happened that fateful day on the 20th of October 2020 (black Tuesday) and the ones who lost their lives get justice.

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  10. According to witnesses, dozens of soldiers disembarked from at least four trucks, flanked by police officers. They approached the scene of a major protest site where more than a thousand people had taken over a toll gate in Lekki, a large district in Lagos Island.

    Almost instantly, hundreds were forced to flee as a rain of bullets rang out. First into the air, and then towards the crowds, Shola said. Bodies collapsed to the ground around him as he ran away, he said. “They killed so many innocent souls. I was running away and they were chasing after us. People were dying instantly, as if it was a game.”
    Amnesty International said at least 12 people were killed by soldiers and police in the shootings that left many in Nigeria and across the world reeling. Graphic footage of soldiers spraying bullets into fleeing crowds have been shared across social media. Some broadcasted from the scene live on Instagram, watched by more than 150,000 viewers.

    The visibility of the carnage, which has since been widely described as the “Lekki Massacre”, has fuelled outrage at the Nigerian government and security forces for clamping down on one of the most striking protest movements in decades in Nigeria. Compounding the shock was footage of other abuses and shootings by security forces at protest locations across Nigeria.

    Democratic US presidential nominee, Joe Biden, and the UK’s archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, were among many around the world to condemn the violence and call for Nigerian authorities to investigate.
    Lagos’ governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the episode was among the “darkest hours from our history as a people,” on Wednesday morning, promising an investigation. Yet he fuelled further outrage by claiming that there were no casualties.
    Nigeria’s army, which has also long been accused of rights abuses and mass killings, posted a series of tweets on Wednesday, claimed that reports which accused soldiers of shooting at the scene were false.

    Yet on Wednesday, at the scene of the Lekki toll gate, the events of the night before were glaring. Dried pools of blood dotted the ground. Flags, some bloodied, dragged along in the breeze.

    A protest site that for almost two weeks was a scene of youthful anger at police brutality and hope at the prospect of change was littered and burnt, with smoke still rising from torched tyres and young men ripping scraps of metal and plastic sheets from the toll gate booths

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  11. The government infringed hunan right by unleashing the military and they killed several innocent protesters this act makes we Nigerians less safe in our country as we are the victims to the atrosities of the government

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  12. Honestly when i heard the news i was so lost, scared and shocked, because the people that actually govern us proved to us that they don't even care about our lives, the whole protest thing turned into chaos just because we asked them to let us live...well, i actually feel a little bit better now, better than last week

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  13. Firstly, I feel it's a ghost order from the government. Speaking as a criminology student, the army can't take an order except if it's from the government.
    No one knows honestly.
    We are all blaming the government.
    But as for the arm that led the shooting of the lekki protesters is the Nigeria Armed force.
    That also reminds me,I saw a video where they were ordered to shoot the protesters and it was the army uniform that they wore. So it is obviously the Nigeria Armed force that shot the lekki protesters.

    Because this shows that it was obviously a sent and planned work.
    My dad and I were talking about this issue few days back and he made mention of something. He said he actually feels that the reason why there was light out was because the government wanted to do a clear and neat job without an evidence. Because if they was light,some people would obviously video the military men and from there they can trace the source. But it seems the government had really planned what they were about to do before putting it into action. Our government could be manipulative and the really out smart the citizens.

    Like I said earlier, our government could be really wise. They literally did a job that we won't be able to directly point our fingers to them accusing them of killing the protesters.
    Because they also made sure that every CCTV was removed before the did there operation. They did that so there won't be a genuine proff.
    It's really unfair with the way the government actually treated the protesters and I know one-day Justice would be served.

    I don't really know how to reply to this. But there is no how they won't know that it would kill the citizens because there are other alternative order than shooting the protesters. They could have used a tear gas or maybe a rubber bullet.

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