Questions Unanswered from Lekki Toll Gate Shooting
The Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated that forces beyond his control shot at Lekki protesters. He has also apologised and the Nigerian Army has denied involvement in the shooting. Peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, were ruthlessly killed on the unfaithful Tuesday. Yet, no one has answered the question as regards who gave the order that led to the shooting on that fateful day.
A Television station, TVC and the Newspaper company, The Nation Newspaper were burnt. It is allegedly owned by the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. And some believed they are owned by him assumed he ordered the hit. He had also distanced himself from the killing on a day that many Nigerians tagged black Tuesday.
Nigerians home and abroad were eager to hear what President Buhari will say over the massare. It was a huge dissapointment as failed to mention the Lekki incident in the Natiowwide broadcast. Many concluded that his speech was not worth the wait. Nigerians are not tired of waiting to know the person who gave the order that day.
There were several reports that the CCTV cameras were allegedly removed from the toll gate. Also, the electricity at the toll gate was cut so that the place will be dark before the shooting. It was also gathered that it was to cover filmed evidence of the shooting.
Also, the advertisement billboards at the toll gate which are owned and maintained by Loatsad Media were also turned off.
Loatsad Media’s Confession
Loatsad Media stated that the company heeded the governors’ warnings. They also said they didn’t want their staff to be in any danger, hence by 3 pm their staff left. The board was switched off based on the governors curfew request according to them.
It was also reported that network providers switched off the network antennas in that area. MTN and Airtel users testified that they were unable to make phone calls or use the internet at that time, though. MTN later released a statement later that night apologising for the loss of network coverage.
Eyes Witness Reports
According to one witness, after the lights were switched off at the toll gate, soldiers arrived and began shooting. It was said that they shot directly at the crowd. Another witness recalled that the shooting continued for fifteen to thirty minutes. After the shooting he observed multiple bodies on the ground.
Protesters beleieved if they sang the national anthem and wave the Nigeria flag they wont be shot but it was not so. They sang the national anthem and waved the Nigerian flag, but was still shot at. It was reported that about 20 armed military personnel approached them and started shooting.
A popular Nigerian DJ, DJ Switch, live-streamed the event on Instagram. The aftermath video showed protesters trying to remove a bullet from the leg of a man. The man was shot, they tied a Nigerian flag around his leg.
SBM Intelligence gathered that at least 46 people were killed around Nigeria on Tuesday, October 20. There have been several reactions over the killings at Lekki Toll gate. But till now there is no answer yet as regards who ordered the shooting on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
