Lekki shootings: fact or fantasy?

Babajide Sanwo - Olu: Governor, Lagos State

The year 2020 is one year that can never be forgotten in a hurry for

several reasons. By structure, it is special.

Its coming into being was very dramatic, what with the Covid - 19 pandemic. The world, our world is really blessed with thinkers who had predicted that with the Covid - 19 pandemic will come a wave of protests.

Indeed, Covid - 19 crept on us and it brought a whole load of controversy.

Firstly, is it in Nigeria? Officially, Kogi state does not believe in the existence of Covid - 19, but like other states they got a grant of at least N1bn.

Daily figures were being churned out and many made jokes of them. There is no doubt that there is Covid - 19 but the question is how prevalent, it is in Nigeria?

With the Covid - 19 came lockdown without data to share palliatives. Vote, the government did some money for palliatives coupled with school feeding, for children at home as schools were shut. Even the private sector voted money for palliatives.

For lack of data and corruption, the palliatives, were not effective thus forcing an easing of the lockdown.

Meanwhile, riots had broken out due to hunger amidst a lack of movement without any cushion.

Gradually, the lockdown was eased and everything appeared to be normal without an adequate measure to redress the effects of the initial lockdown.

Predictably, of the lockdown and its effects on business was the #EndSARS born.

On the 20th of October 2020 days into the protests and a day a curfew had been imposed with appeals for a calling off of the protests, the worst happened.

The curfew imposed by the state government was for 4pm for 24 hours and later it was adjusted to start 9pm.

At the Lekki toll gate, a popular spot of interest for the protests, a crowd had gathered. It was on TV and social media was agog with reports.

First, CCTV cameras were removed and next power supply was cut off. Next soldiers in uniform started shooting before 9pm, with DJ Switch reporting and Olu Philips of Channels TV reporting.

Corroborating the account on TV was economist and politician, Pat Utomi.

Then, the next day, a diet of denials. First the Governor who imposed the curfew said powers beyond his control ordered the shootings.

Next soldiers denied there was any shooting at all, even denying being at the scene at all, in spite of the evidence to the contrary.

Next, the Army say, they were invited by the Lagos State Governor.

Finally, the Lagos State Governor, justifies the invitation .

Should there be outrage? Not while there are different accounts as to number of the dead.

The Governor, says two dead and some more than that. Meanwhile, some people do not believe any one died.