Amnesty International has issued a compelling plea to the Lagos State Government, calling for an immediate halt to the planned mass burial of 103 #EndSARS victims. The human rights organization’s demand comes in response to a leaked memo addressed to the state Ministry of Health by the state’s procurement agency.
While the Lagos State Government acknowledged the authenticity of the leaked memo, they clarified that the victims scheduled for burial are not connected to the controversial Lekki Tollgate shooting, which sparked outrage during the #EndSARS protests.
In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International’s Director of Information, Isa Sanusi, asserted the need for an independent investigation into the matter. He urged the government to conduct autopsies on the victims’ corpses and disclose their identities, emphasizing the importance of transparency in handling this sensitive issue.
“The Nigerian authorities must urgently halt their plans to carry out a secret mass burial of #EndSARS victims and instead carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the killings and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials,” the statement read.
Highlighting the state government’s retention of the victims’ bodies since October 2020, Sanusi expressed dismay, urging for immediate release of all those detained in connection with the #EndSARS protests. He emphasized that victims and their families should be granted access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation.
