Amnesty International (AI) has said it is investigating killings of peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.
“Amnesty International has received credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos. #EndSARS #Lekki #Nigeria,” the non-governmental organisation said on twitter.
The group which focuses on upholding human rights said “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.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest up to seven protesters may have been killed while several others have been severely injured when soldiers unleashed terror on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
Thousands of demonstrators for several days have been demanding sweeping police reforms had gathered in Lagos ignoring the curfew announced by the state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
But security operatives raided the toll gate area as night fell, openly shooting live rounds with several witnesses saying lives were lost.
While the shootings went on the CCTV security cameras in the area as well as street lights were switched off.
By Abel Ejikeme