Segilola Arisekola and Adela Suliman
Nigeria witnessed scenes of violence and chaos as protests calling for an end to police brutality continued overnight and into Wednesday, despite a 24-hour curfew and multiple eyewitness reports of soldiers opening fire on protesters.
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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Wednesday that one person had died at a hospital in Lagos, the country's financial capital, after a shooting in the upmarket suburb of Lekki on Tuesday, but did not confirm whether the victim was a protester.
"This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester," he said on Twitter. Earlier he said 30 people were being treated for "mild to moderate" injuries. Of these, two were receiving intensive care and three had been discharged. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for calm in a statement Wednesday.
Protests in Lagos turned violent Tuesday night after a three-day, 24-hour curfew was announced and anti-riot forces deployed, with scores hospitalized after authorities moved to clamp down on protests in the Lekki area.
Human rights organization Amnesty International in Nigeria said in a statement it had "received credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki tollgate in Lagos."
Thousands of Nigerians in the oil-rich country have taken to the streets nationwide every day for nearly two weeks demanding the shutdown of a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which they hold responsible for years of brutality, extortion and harassment in the west African country.
After growing public pressure, the government disbanded the unit on Oct. 11. But the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for a raft of new law enforcement reforms. The hashtag #EndSARS has garnered global support online.
"It's been a peaceful protest, right from the beginning," said Eti-Inyene Godwin Akpan, 26, a local photojournalist who was at the protest at the tollgate before the Lekki bridge and witnessed events.
Akpan, who has been documenting the demonstrations for weeks, told NBC News most protesters were sitting on the ground, brandishing Nigerian flags and singing the national anthem by the tollgate near the bridge that connects the affluent area with the mainland of the city.
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday he said he saw bridge workers near the tollgate take down security cameras and switch-off street lighting, which raised his suspicions. Hours later, Akpan said Nigerian military in uniform arrived and within seconds began shooting at the crowd.
"They came down and they started shooting," he said. "It was very, very scary."
Akpan said many fled in panic while he ran to hide in his car, watching as officers destroyed phones and cameras belonging to protesters. He eventually escaped but said he saw at least "three dead bodies" as he was fleeing the scene, fearing he too could be shot.
"I'm kinda traumatized," he said.
Protest organizer, Akinbosola, 30, who declined to give his surname fearing his safety, told NBC News he was on the "front line at the Lekki protest" when things turned ugly and said it was "unbelieve" that the army had denied deaths at the scene in the face of "damning video evidence" posted online.
Unverified images posted to social media show chaotic scenes including gunfire, widespread property damage and fires.
"They came down and started firing directly at us at exactly 6:45p.m.," Akinbosola said. "Everybody was trying to run for cover."
He said protesters had been seated, to make it clear they were "not making trouble" and were expecting the police to likely move them along.
He said he feared dozens had been killed and added that gun shots could still be heard in the Lekki area on Wednesday morning.
Like Akpan, Akinbosola said he saw lights and security cameras removed ahead of the violence and said the affair seemed "perfectly planned" by authorities.
"I was very, very lucky to be alive, people were dying right beside me," he added.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Wednesday that one person had died at a hospital in Lagos, the country's financial capital, after a shooting in the upmarket suburb of Lekki on Tuesday, but did not confirm whether the victim was a protester.
"This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester," he said on Twitter. Earlier he said 30 people were being treated for "mild to moderate" injuries. Of these, two were receiving intensive care and three had been discharged. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for calm in a statement Wednesday.
Protests in Lagos turned violent Tuesday night after a three-day, 24-hour curfew was announced and anti-riot forces deployed, with scores hospitalized after authorities moved to clamp down on protests in the Lekki area.
Human rights organization Amnesty International in Nigeria said in a statement it had "received credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki tollgate in Lagos."
Thousands of Nigerians in the oil-rich country have taken to the streets nationwide every day for nearly two weeks demanding the shutdown of a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which they hold responsible for years of brutality, extortion and harassment in the west African country.
After growing public pressure, the government disbanded the unit on Oct. 11. But the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for a raft of new law enforcement reforms. The hashtag #EndSARS has garnered global support online.
"It's been a peaceful protest, right from the beginning," said Eti-Inyene Godwin Akpan, 26, a local photojournalist who was at the protest at the tollgate before the Lekki bridge and witnessed events.
Akpan, who has been documenting the demonstrations for weeks, told NBC News most protesters were sitting on the ground, brandishing Nigerian flags and singing the national anthem by the tollgate near the bridge that connects the affluent area with the mainland of the city.
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday he said he saw bridge workers near the tollgate take down security cameras and switch-off street lighting, which raised his suspicions. Hours later, Akpan said Nigerian military in uniform arrived and within seconds began shooting at the crowd.
"They came down and they started shooting," he said. "It was very, very scary."
Akpan said many fled in panic while he ran to hide in his car, watching as officers destroyed phones and cameras belonging to protesters. He eventually escaped but said he saw at least "three dead bodies" as he was fleeing the scene, fearing he too could be shot.
"I'm kinda traumatized," he said.
Protest organizer, Akinbosola, 30, who declined to give his surname fearing his safety, told NBC News he was on the "front line at the Lekki protest" when things turned ugly and said it was "unbelieve" that the army had denied deaths at the scene in the face of "damning video evidence" posted online.
Unverified images posted to social media show chaotic scenes including gunfire, widespread property damage and fires.
"They came down and started firing directly at us at exactly 6:45p.m.," Akinbosola said. "Everybody was trying to run for cover."
He said protesters had been seated, to make it clear they were "not making trouble" and were expecting the police to likely move them along.
He said he feared dozens had been killed and added that gun shots could still be heard in the Lekki area on Wednesday morning.
Like Akpan, Akinbosola said he saw lights and security cameras removed ahead of the violence and said the affair seemed "perfectly planned" by authorities.
"I was very, very lucky to be alive, people were dying right beside me," he added.
© Pius Utomi Ekpei Image: A protester raises his fist and holds a placard during a demonstration to protest against police brutality at Magboro, Ogun State in southwest Nigeria (Pius Utomi Ekpei / AFP - Getty Images)
The Nigerian Army has denied any deaths and on Twitter dismissed as "fake news" the shootings, adding that no soldiers were at the scene on Tuesday night in Lekki.
The army and Lagos state government had not replied to requests for comment from NBC News at the time of publication.
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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for "understanding and calm" in a statement on Wednesday, but did not directly address the shootings. He called on Nigerians to have patience as police reforms "gather pace."
He said least 13 states, including Lagos, had established "judicial panels" to provide redress to victims of police brutality, state-owned NTA Nigeria reported.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Twitter: "As the Governor of our state, I recognize the buck stops at my table," adding that he would work to "get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilize all security operations to protect the lives of our residents."
He later said events had taken a turn and blamed "criminal elements" taking advantage of the orders given "not to resort to shooting as a rule of engagement."
The Nigerian Army has denied any deaths and on Twitter dismissed as "fake news" the shootings, adding that no soldiers were at the scene on Tuesday night in Lekki.
The army and Lagos state government had not replied to requests for comment from NBC News at the time of publication.
Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for "understanding and calm" in a statement on Wednesday, but did not directly address the shootings. He called on Nigerians to have patience as police reforms "gather pace."
He said least 13 states, including Lagos, had established "judicial panels" to provide redress to victims of police brutality, state-owned NTA Nigeria reported.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Twitter: "As the Governor of our state, I recognize the buck stops at my table," adding that he would work to "get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilize all security operations to protect the lives of our residents."
He later said events had taken a turn and blamed "criminal elements" taking advantage of the orders given "not to resort to shooting as a rule of engagement."
© Benson Ibeabuchi Image: Protesters gather at the front of Alausa, the Lagos State Secretariat, while chanting a people united can never be defeated in Lagos (Benson Ibeabuchi / AFP - Getty Images)
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Nigerian President Buhari and the Nigerian military to "cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths."
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy," Biden said.
Celebrities including Beyoncé and Rihanna, John Boyega and Nigerian soccer star Odion Jude Ighalo have shown their support for demonstrators.
The United Nations condemned the violence on Wednesday — Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who is from Nigeria, added that the U.N. was "following the protests" and called on "security forces to exercise maximum restraint."
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Nigerian President Buhari and the Nigerian military to "cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths."
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy," Biden said.
Celebrities including Beyoncé and Rihanna, John Boyega and Nigerian soccer star Odion Jude Ighalo have shown their support for demonstrators.
The United Nations condemned the violence on Wednesday — Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who is from Nigeria, added that the U.N. was "following the protests" and called on "security forces to exercise maximum restraint."
Nigeria unravels after alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters
Amnesty International said it has received "credible but disturbing evidence" of security forces killing protesters who were demonstrating against police brutality in Nigeria's largest city.
© Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP via Getty Images A patrol car of the Lagos State Security drives through Nigerian protesters demonstrating in the streets of Alausa Ikeja on October 20, 2020, after the authorities declared an open-ended lock down in Lagos.
"While we continue to investigate the killings, Amnesty International wishes to remind the authorities that under international law, security forces may only resort to the use of lethal force when strictly unavoidable to protect against imminent threat of death or serious injury," the London-based human rights organization wrote on Twitter late Tuesday.
Lagos, the sprawling financial hub of Africa's most populous country, has been the center of weeks-long, nationwide protests over a now-disbanded, widely-criticized police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has been accused of human rights abuses. The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, but tensions have spiraled in recent days and authorities have imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said Tuesday that "there have been reports of shooting" at the Lekki toll gate, one of the main roads into Lagos's business district, following the announcement of the curfew. Hundreds of protesters have been gathering at the toll gate in Lekki, a wealthy suburb of Lagos.
"The State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident," Omotoso said in a statement posted on his Twitter account. "Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish."
Video shown on Nigeria’s Channels Television appeared to capture the sound of live rounds being fired at the scene.
"While we continue to investigate the killings, Amnesty International wishes to remind the authorities that under international law, security forces may only resort to the use of lethal force when strictly unavoidable to protect against imminent threat of death or serious injury," the London-based human rights organization wrote on Twitter late Tuesday.
Lagos, the sprawling financial hub of Africa's most populous country, has been the center of weeks-long, nationwide protests over a now-disbanded, widely-criticized police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has been accused of human rights abuses. The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, but tensions have spiraled in recent days and authorities have imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said Tuesday that "there have been reports of shooting" at the Lekki toll gate, one of the main roads into Lagos's business district, following the announcement of the curfew. Hundreds of protesters have been gathering at the toll gate in Lekki, a wealthy suburb of Lagos.
"The State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident," Omotoso said in a statement posted on his Twitter account. "Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish."
Video shown on Nigeria’s Channels Television appeared to capture the sound of live rounds being fired at the scene.
© Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP via Getty Images A patrol car of the Lagos State Security drives through Nigerian protesters demonstrating in the streets of Alausa Ikeja on October 20, 2020, after the authorities declared an open-ended lock down in Lagos.
Leaders of the protest movement, which uses the social media hashtag #EndSARS, claim the Nigerian government ordered the removal of surveillance cameras at the Lekki toll gate and for the lights to be shut off before directing security forces to open fire on protesters there Tuesday night.
The Nigerian Army has denied that any of its personnel were involved in the reported incident.
Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condemned the alleged shooting, saying in a statement Wednesday that "there are no excuses." He has also warned that the growing protests have "degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society."
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state,” Sanwo-Olu said in another statement posted on his official Twitter account Tuesday.MORE: Nigerian Army appears to use Trump’s words to defend its killing of rock-throwing protesters
The governor said one person who was recently admitted to a Lagos hospital has died "due to blunt force trauma to the head."
"This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester," Sanwo-Olu tweeted Wednesday.
There were more than a dozen others who remained hospitalized "with mild to moderate levels of injuries," he tweeted earlier
Leaders of the protest movement, which uses the social media hashtag #EndSARS, claim the Nigerian government ordered the removal of surveillance cameras at the Lekki toll gate and for the lights to be shut off before directing security forces to open fire on protesters there Tuesday night.
The Nigerian Army has denied that any of its personnel were involved in the reported incident.
Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condemned the alleged shooting, saying in a statement Wednesday that "there are no excuses." He has also warned that the growing protests have "degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society."
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state,” Sanwo-Olu said in another statement posted on his official Twitter account Tuesday.MORE: Nigerian Army appears to use Trump’s words to defend its killing of rock-throwing protesters
The governor said one person who was recently admitted to a Lagos hospital has died "due to blunt force trauma to the head."
"This is an isolated case. We are still investigating if he was a protester," Sanwo-Olu tweeted Wednesday.
There were more than a dozen others who remained hospitalized "with mild to moderate levels of injuries," he tweeted earlier
.
© Lagos State Government via Reuters Lagos State Goveror Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits injured people at a hospital in Lagos, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on Oct. 21, 2020, in Nigeria.
The Lagos state government has ordered the indefinite closure of all public and private schools amid the unrest. Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos remained shut Wednesday after closing its doors a day earlier due to the violence.
"Although most demonstrations are peaceful, some have become violent and have shut down major thoroughfares and bridges," the consulate said in a statement Tuesday. "We continue to urge all U.S. citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates and traffic advisories."
Armed crowds attacked two correctional facilities in Edo state on Monday, freeing nearly 2,000 inmates, according to a statement from Mohammed Manga, spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Interior, which said the perpetrators were "protesters purportedly under the #EndSARS aegis." There have also been attacks on police stations in Lagos state, according to the governor.MORE: Why George Floyd's death reverberated in Africa
Gunshots were heard again in Lagos on Wednesday as some protesters continued to demonstrate despite the curfew. People set fire to a television news station and part of the Nigerian Ports Authority headquarters.
Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered the nationwide deployment of anti-riot police and has advised the Nigerian Police Force to "exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens," according to a statement
The Lagos state government has ordered the indefinite closure of all public and private schools amid the unrest. Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos remained shut Wednesday after closing its doors a day earlier due to the violence.
"Although most demonstrations are peaceful, some have become violent and have shut down major thoroughfares and bridges," the consulate said in a statement Tuesday. "We continue to urge all U.S. citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates and traffic advisories."
Armed crowds attacked two correctional facilities in Edo state on Monday, freeing nearly 2,000 inmates, according to a statement from Mohammed Manga, spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Interior, which said the perpetrators were "protesters purportedly under the #EndSARS aegis." There have also been attacks on police stations in Lagos state, according to the governor.MORE: Why George Floyd's death reverberated in Africa
Gunshots were heard again in Lagos on Wednesday as some protesters continued to demonstrate despite the curfew. People set fire to a television news station and part of the Nigerian Ports Authority headquarters.
Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered the nationwide deployment of anti-riot police and has advised the Nigerian Police Force to "exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens," according to a statement
.
© Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on Oct. 21, 2020.
Beyonce, John Boyega, Naomi Campbell and Rihanna are among the celebrities who have spoken out in support of Nigeria's #EndSARS movement and have called for an end to the violence. Rihanna posted a photo on her Instagram account, showing a protester holding up a blood-soaked Nigerian flag.
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is the Democratic presidential nominee, issued a statement late Tuesday urging Nigeria's president and military "to cease the violent crackdown on protesters."
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy," Biden said. "I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria."
Last week, as protesters showed no signs of backing down, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari stepped in and dissolved SARS, which operated across the country -- often in plainclothes -- and has been accused of assault, extortion, extrajudicial killings, kidnapping, torture, unlawful detentions and robbery.
"The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reform in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people," Buhari, who is a retired general of the Nigerian Army, said in a statement on Oct. 12. "Meanwhile, it is important to recognize that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties. The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force."
ABC News' Conor Finnegan and Joseph Simonetti contributed to this report.
Beyonce, John Boyega, Naomi Campbell and Rihanna are among the celebrities who have spoken out in support of Nigeria's #EndSARS movement and have called for an end to the violence. Rihanna posted a photo on her Instagram account, showing a protester holding up a blood-soaked Nigerian flag.
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is the Democratic presidential nominee, issued a statement late Tuesday urging Nigeria's president and military "to cease the violent crackdown on protesters."
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy," Biden said. "I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria."
Last week, as protesters showed no signs of backing down, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari stepped in and dissolved SARS, which operated across the country -- often in plainclothes -- and has been accused of assault, extortion, extrajudicial killings, kidnapping, torture, unlawful detentions and robbery.
"The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reform in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people," Buhari, who is a retired general of the Nigerian Army, said in a statement on Oct. 12. "Meanwhile, it is important to recognize that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties. The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force."
ABC News' Conor Finnegan and Joseph Simonetti contributed to this report.
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