The United States on Tuesday said it is awaiting a response from Nigeria government on the report of the judicial panel of inquiry on the killings and assault of #EndSARS protesters.
“We look forward to the Lagos State government’s response as part of a process that represents an important mechanism of accountability regarding the #EndSARS protests and the events that took place near the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020,” US Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement.
“Those events led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces, and we look forward to the Lagos State and federal governments taking suitable measures to address those alleged abuses as well as the grievances of the victims and their families.”
The Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Monday submitted its reports on the cases of killing and assault by security personnel during October 2020 #EndSARS protest.
The report contained a list of recommendations for implementation to the Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi in the report submitted to Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, said at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers who were at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.
The Nigerian government, military and police who had denied that any killing or massacre happened at the Lekki Toll Plaza of the #EndSARS protest in Lagos are yet to speak on the report.
However, the United States Mission in Nigeria said it welcomes the conclusion of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry with the transmission of its final report while anticipating government’s response to revelations in the report.
The report said the “Nigerian Army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenceless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre.”