#EndSARS, Lekki toll gate: Sanwo-Olu says offenders will be punished

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says he will do everything within his powers to ensure that soldiers that attacked peaceful #EndSARS protesters last week are held to account.

Eyewitnesses reported on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 how soldiers of the Nigerian Army fired live ammunition at them at the Lekki-Epe toll gate in Lagos.

The eyewitnesses were protesters who had shut down the lucrative toll gate for over one week as part of nationwide demonstrations against police brutality.

At least seven people were reported dead by eyewitnesses, even though the Lagos government has only officially acknowledged two.

A judicial panel, headed by the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, has been tasked with investigating the incident which caused local and international outrage.

While speaking during an interview with CNN on Monday, October 26, Sanwo-Olu said even though he doesn't have control of the Army, he'll ensure a thorough investigation is done so that offenders don't go unpunished.

"We'll do everything to ensure they're held accountable.

"The report will be out and we'll channel it to all the relevant authorities to ensure that everyone found culpable is accountable for the act," he said.

Security forces violently cracked down on peaceful protesters last week Pulse Nigeria

Despite numerous videos online showing soldiers on the scene, the Nigerian Army has relentlessly denied involvement in the shooting, and refused to offer up additional information.

However, Sanwo-Olu confirmed during Monday's interview that the video showed military officers at the toll gate.

Tuesday night's shooting was the escalation of a prolonged wave of demonstrations against police brutality, particularly by officers of SARS, a notorious unit that was dissolved one week into the protests.

ALSO READ: #EndSARS protests were peaceful, until Nigerian government weaponised violence to crush them

Eyewitnesses reported Nigerian soldiers fired at peaceful #EndSARS protesters who waved the nation's flag and sang the national anthem at the toll gate on Tuesday evening.

The Nigerian Army has bizarrely denied involvement in the shooting without offering up additional information other than branding reports as "Fake News" on social media.

President Muhammadu Buhari also failed to acknowledge the incident during a national broadcast days after the incident.