Lekki Shootings: Some people were swimming to escape - Eye witness recounts

What began as a peaceful protest in several states and cities in Nigeria and across the world turned sour after some unidentified men from the Nigerian military on Monday, October 20, 2020, opened fire, injuring and killing peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate, a suburb of Lagos at 7 pm.

The #EndSARS protest which began slightly over 14 days ago has once again put Nigeria on the world map.

The protest originally meant to fight against harassment, extortion, bullying and sometimes the extrajudicial killings of young Nigerians by personnel of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have gradually metamorphosed into conflict with the tendency of throwing Nigeria into anarchy.

Since the news of yesterday's Lekki shootings hit social media, there has been an outpour of calls from young Nigerians, political activists, social groups, celebrities as well as U.S. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.

Speaking to MyNigeria.com, a witness identified simply as Ekene disclosed that himself and several other peaceful protesters were sitting on the floor when the soldiers opened fire.

According to him, he can confirm the death of about three to seven Nigerians at the Lekki toll gate.

“Yesterday at the Lekki toll gate, something happened there. When we were protesting they asked us to sit down on the floor and carry our flags up; where we were sitting down and carrying our flags up then the soldiers entered," he said. “They started shooting and I know about three to seven people that died at the Lekki toll gate.”

He continued: “There were people dying and people running away but yet, people were still coming back to fight for their rights and protesting at the toll gate. There was a river by the side and some old people that could swim were swimming to cross it.”

According to Amnesty International, 12 people were killed at the Lekki toll gate shooting. Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu who declared a 24- hour curfew prior to the shooting gave an update on the incident.

He said 10 patients were at the General Hospital in Lagos Island, 11 at Reddington hospital, and 4 at Vedic hospital with mild to moderate levels of injuries, while 2 are receiving intensive medical care, and 3 patients have been discharged.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Presidency on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to show understanding with the present regime and remain calm while it tries to implement police reforms.

The call was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘President Buhari welcomes the establishment of judicial panels of inquiry by 13 states to deliver justice for victims of police brutality," The Punch said.

The call for calm came few hours after eyewitnesses claimed armed soldiers opened fire on protesting youths at the Lekki toll gate area in Lagos State.

Listen to the eyewitness account: