Friday, March 29, 2024

#EndSARS: Security agents ‘open fire’ on Lekki toll gate protesters

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It has been reported by eyewitnesses that security agents on Tuesday night allegedly opened fire on the peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos.

Popular Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, tweeted at 6:44 p.m. that “they are shooting at the peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate, Please help.”

Several witnesses at the Lekki toll gate where the protesters have been protesting for nearly two weeks have shared videos and photos from the alleged genocide.

The casualty figure has yet to be ascertained but witnesses said several people sustained gun shot wounds.

DJ Switch, a Nigerian artiste, who is present at the location, streamed the shootings live on her Instagram page on Tuesday night. (As of press time, the streaming is still ongoing as the shootings have continued).

From the videos which have gone viral, it can be deduced that there is palpable fear and tension at the toll gate grounds.

It is dark at the toll gate as the lights have been turned off.
Lekki toll gate is a major cluster point for the #ENDSARS protesters.

Following the violence that had erupted in different parts of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a 24-hour curfew, effective 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Announcing the curfew, Mr Sanwo-Olu said no one, except essential service providers and first responders, must be found on the streets by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Shortly after his announcement, there was panic on social media after photos emerged of unknown men removing the CCTV cameras situated at Lekki toll gate.

The Lagos State Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, did not respond to repeated calls and text messages when contacted.

An eyewitness, Samuel Ajani, said that one person was killed and several others injured.
According to him, they were all sitting on the floor when soldiers began to shoot.

Ajani noted that the shooting caused pandemonium as protesters ran for their dear lives.

He said, “They shot at us. They initially started shooting into the air. We were all scared but some people told us not to run. We then surrounded ourselves in clusters”.

“Their faces were covered. We did not know that that was their plan when they put off the light. They forgot that we have our phones and can stream live. Some people ran away but others stood. I hid behind a cemented barricade”.

“They shot a guy right in front of me. The guy wanted to bend when the gunshot hit him. He started bleeding. Later we rushed to save him but he stopped breathing.”

Also, videos of continuous gunshots had gone viral on social media.
In one of the videos, a lifeless youth was seen on the floor.

The protesters in the videos called for help, saying they were under heavy gunfire bombardment.

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