Amnesty International Nigeria, a human rights group has called for a transparent coroner’s investigation into the deaths of 103 EndSARS protesters for whom the Lagos State Government is planning a mass burial, arguing that the arrangements should be suspended.
This comes after a leaked email addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health revealed that the Lagos State Government approved ₦61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 people identified as 2020 EndSARS victims.
The memo, dated July 19, 2023, detailing steps for processing funds after governor approval, leaked on social media Sunday morning, generating controversy.
The Lagos State Government, on the other hand, insisted that the corpses to be buried were not from the contentious Lekki Tollgate incident.
While confirming the letter, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, insisted that the victims were victims of violence that transpired in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests.
“The Nigerian authorities must urgently halt their plans to carry out a secret mass burial of #EndSARS victims and instead carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the killings and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials,” the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in a statement on Monday.
Amnesty international also stated that the authorities must conduct transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims and publicize their identities and circumstances of death.
“It is appalling that the Lagos state government has not even mentioned that it has held the bodies of 103 #EndSARS victims in its custody since October 2020,” Sanusi said.
“All those detained because of their role in the #EndSARS protests must be immediately released. The Nigerian authorities must also ensure that victims and their families are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation.”
Since the #EndSARS protests began on October 8, 2020, the non-governmental organization has been monitoring happenings in Nigeria.
“In October 2020, an on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International confirmed that Nigerian security forces opened fire on thousands of peaceful protesters, who were peacefully calling for good governance and an end to police brutality, killing at least 12 protesters at Lekki toll gate and in Alausa,” director Sanusi said.
“Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.
“On 16 November 2020, a Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the Lekki toll gate killings submitted its report, which indicted the military and the police for killing unarmed protesters, who were sitting on the floor and waving Nigerian flags and singing.”
