Unrest In Lagos After Deadly Nigeria Protest Shooting

“There is little doubt that this was a case of excessive use of
force, resulting in unlawful killings with live ammunition, by
Nigerian armed forces,” she said.

“Reports that CCTV cameras and lighting were deliberately
disabled prior to the shooting are even more disturbing as, if
confirmed, they suggest this deplorable attack on peaceful
protestors was premeditated, planned and coordinated.”

Human Rights Watch corroborated reports that the Nigerian Army
had opened fire on the crowd in “a shooting spree”.

“The authorities should immediately withdraw the military from
the streets,” said Anietie Ewang, a Nigeria researcher with the
rights group.

The Nigerian Army did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment
but on Twitter it called reports of soldiers firing on protesters
“fake news”.

‘Inferno’

The centre of Lagos, a sprawling city that is home to 20 million
people, was largely deserted and shops closed on Wednesday under a
curfew.

An AFP journalist said several buildings were burnt around the
area of the shooting and remnants of violence — broken glass, torn
banners — could be seen.

A few people were drifting around, but the Lekki Toll Gate had
emptied out, leaving only graffiti denouncing police violence and
bad governance.

A dozen soldiers and heavily armed police officers patrolled
nearby.

In another district, a bus station was set ablaze and there were
sporadic clashes between bottle-throwing youths and police, who
occasionally shot into the air.

A TV station was also torched.

Concerned by the escalating violence reported on Wednesday in a
string of cities including Lagos, the International Committee for
the Red Cross called for restraint.

“It is of paramount importance that first responders and
ambulances are respected by all, so they can reach injured people
safely,” said Eloi Fillion, head of the ICRC delegation in
Nigeria.

Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a televised
broadcast, ordered all “state activities” to be halted across the
city for three days.

He said he had asked for a probe into “the rules of engagement
employed by the men of the Nigerian army that were deployed” at the
scene during the shooting on Tuesday.

“Soldiers clearly had one intention – to kill without
consequences,” said Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty
International Nigeria.

‘Indefinite Curfew’

Up until Tuesday some 18 people had died in the demonstrations
as clashes were reported between protesters and assailants wearing
civilian clothes.

Sanwo-Olu had announced an indefinite curfew from Tuesday
afternoon in Africa’s largest city after claiming that criminals
had hijacked the wave of demonstrations that erupted two weeks ago
across the country.

The police chief also ordered anti-riot units to be deployed
around the country.

President Buhari was yet to directly address Tuesday’s incident
but in a statement on the protests the presidency said he had
appealed for “understanding and calm across the nation”.

Nigeria, where the median age is 18, is a tinderbox of profound
economic and social grievances.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Wednesday he was
“deeply concerned” by the clashes.

“The Nigerian government must urgently investigate reports of
brutality at the hands of the security forces and hold those
responsible to account,” he said in a statement.

Since Tuesday, Rihanna, Beyonce, Ugandan pop star-turned
politician Bobi Wine and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo
added their names to a list of celebrities who have supported the
protesters.