Amnesty Releases Detailed Timeline Of Lekki Shootings, Warns Government Against Cover-up

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Country Director of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho has given a detailed movement of the Nigerian Army from their military base camp to Lekki Tollgate and linked the shootings to the army.

In a statement signed by the Country Director titled, ‘Nigeria: Authorities must stop attempts to cover-up Lekki Toll Gate massacre – new investigative timeline’.

According to the Country Director, there are collations of photographs and video footage that confirmed the movement of the Nigerian Army vehicle from Bonny Camp base about 7 minutes drive from Lekki Tollgate.

According to the group, exactly, 6;29 Lagos time on 20th October 2020, two (2) military vehicles left the military base camp (Bonny Camp).

He continued that ‘Footage shows four vehicles with flashing lights in a convoy, and they appear to be vehicles used by the Nigerian military and police.

“The same vehicles head east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue – which changes its name to the Lekki-Epe Expressway – in the direction of the Lekki tollgate. On this route, the vehicles pass several international embassies and consulates, including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission.

“Further photographs and footage capture the vehicles arriving at the toll gate, before the peaceful protest is disrupted by men in military uniform and gunfire is heard. As night time descended, protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings. Later in the evening, videos of the victims were also shared on social media.

The Country Director of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, said .

One week on, the Nigerian authorities still have many questions to answer: who ordered the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters? Why were CCTV cameras on the scene dismantled in advance? And who ordered electricity being turned off minutes before the military opened fire on protesters?

“The initial denials of the involvement of soldiers in the shooting were followed by the shameful denial of the loss of lives as a result of the military’s attack against the protests.

“Many people are still missing since the day of the incident, and credible evidence shows that the military prevented ambulances from reaching the severely injured in the aftermath.”

“The organisation is still investigating the shooting, and the reported removal of bodies of those killed by the military in an attempt to remove evidence,” it said.

the GOvernment is expected to answer many questions relating to the 20th October 2020 killing of peaceful protestor who were protesting aganist the brutality of police killing in the country