Security

Lekki Shooting: “Hoodlums” wearing military uniforms may have shot #EndSARS protesters – Malami

Published

3 years ago

2020/11/03

The Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, says “hoodlums” wearing military uniforms may have shot #EndSARS protesters campaigning against police brutality in Lagos.

According to him, it was too soon to tell if soldiers were involved.

#EndSARS demonstrations across the country took a violent turn on October 20 when eyewitnesses in Lagos said the military opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate shortly after the Lagos state government imposed a 24-hour curfew.

Amnesty international reports that security forces killed at least 12 people in Lagos on October 20. The army and police have denied involvement.

Reuters quoted Malami as telling reporters in Abuja on Monday, that the matter was being investigated and there was a need to establish whether the shooting took place, who was responsible and whether the people who were shooting were part of the military.

“You cannot rule out the possibility of perhaps hoodlums that set in to create a scene… could equally partake in the process,” Malami said at the news conference, which was also attended by government officials including the defence minister and finance minister.

He also said it was “pre-emptive” to conclude that there had even been a shooting.

Lagos state has ordered an investigation into the incident. Last week the military said the Lagos state government asked the army to intervene to restore order, but soldiers did not shoot civilians.