Controversy surrounding the number of people that were killed at Toll-gate during the #ENDSARS protest has not been laid to rest as a leaked Memo Shows Lagos Govt Approved N61m For Mass Burial Of 103 ENDSARS Victims
Since the protest in 2020, both the Lagos Government and the Federal Government have consistently denied any mass killing during the EndSARS protests.
A leaked memo addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health indicating that the State Government approved N61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as 2020 EndSARS victims has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage.
The memo dated July 19, 2023, captures steps for the processing of funds after approval by the governor.
Earlier, a Ministerial Tenders’ Board Meeting reportedly sat over the recommendations of the Procurement Planning Committee, after which no objections were raised to the award of the mass burial contract to a funeral service provider.
The five-paragraph leaked memo also directs that relevant taxes and deductions are remitted by the approved company.
There has been controversy over the number of deaths recorded during the EndSARS protest, resulting in the governor setting up an inquest led by Justice Doris Okuwobi.
Since the protest in 2020, both the Lagos Government and the Federal Government have consistently denied any mass killing during the EndSARS protests.
The memo is coming over two years after the widespread protest across the country. The Lagos Government has yet to comment on the leaked memo.
Nigerians Demand Answer
Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters publisher, in a tweet on Sunday, said, “The govt of Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari denied killing #EndSARS protesters in October of 2020, we’ve always maintained that they massacred protesters and hid their bodies across Lagos state. Here is a legit document of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu of Lagos contracted a funeral company -TOS Funerals Ltd- to bury Endsars ‘victims’ in mass graves. These heinous crimes will not go unpunished.”
Also, former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, in a tweet, said, “Mr Governor of @followlasg, @jidesanwoolu, here is a document that has gone viral on social media, stating that your government procured services for mass burial of 103 corpses killed during the #EndSARS protest? Is this so?
“Mr Governor actually knew the state had a record of 103 dead bodies from the #EndSARS shootings? We need your urgent response.”
A Twitter user, @Adonis4all, said, “Buhari, Buratai, Sanwo Olu and all those that played major roles in this mindless, devilish and monstrous murder of innocent protesters at the lekki tollgate must be made to face the ICJ. It will never be well with them all.”
Another Twitter user, @Shehusky, said, “The people that killed EndSARS protesters are in government today. They are in Lagos state government house and Aso Rock. We told Nigerians that Tinubu and Sanwo Olu are killers, but they didn’t listen. The truth is finally out. You have a bloodthirsty demon in Aso Rock.”
Similarly, @Klintoncod, another Twitter user, said, “We know people died, but I could not have thought it would be a whole 103 people; they even tried covering it whilst saying no one died. Omor!!! Sanwo Olu deserves 204 yrs jail time.”
Also, @TheserahIbrahim tweeted, “Sanwo Olu wants to mass bury bodies of #EndSARS victims he killed. You bigots voted for him because of tribe.
“When they shot at us at Lekki Toll Gate, they didn’t separate us by tribe. Nobody said Yoruba’s stand here, Igbos stand there, and Arewa go over there. They shot everyone because they don’t give a damn about your tribe.”
Rinu Oduala, who was arrested for being outspoken the that time also said that the aim of the government was to show Nigerians that they are powerless
Lagos Govt Replies
The Lagos State Government has claimed that the bodies of 103 victims of #EndSARS protest in 2020 prepared for mass burial, were not from the Lekki tollgate.
The statement also cited the jailbreak that happened at Ikoyi Prison and insisted no bodies were retrieved from the Lekki tollgate.
It reads: “For the records, the Lagos State Environmental Health Unit picked up bodies in the aftermath of #EndSARS violence and community clashes at Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo and Ajah areas of Lagos State.
“There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll-gate as being alleged. For the avoidance of doubt, no body was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident. “