15 min read
2,829 words
0 views
CNN investigation sheds new light on
anti-brutality protest 05:54
anti-brutality protest 05:54
‘They pointed their guns at us and started
shooting’
How a bloody night of
bullets and brutality quashed a young protest movement
Updated 0508 GMT (1308 HKT) November 18,
2020
This
story contains graphic imagery of injury and death. The full names
of some interviewees and the identities of others have been
withheld for their safety.
Sometime after midnight on October 21, Elisha Sunday Ibanga
answered a phone call from his older brother’s number. The person
on the other end of the line — a stranger — broke the news that
Ibanga’s brother, Victor, had been shot dead at the Lekki toll
gate, in Lagos, Nigeria, where he had been peacefully protesting
against police brutality earlier that night. “The person told me
that the police took his body away,” Ibanga, 24, told CNN. An
eyewitness to Victor Sunday Ibanga’s death told CNN the 27-year-old
entrepreneur was shot in the head during the protest. CNN has
obtained and geolocated a photograph of Victor’s body lying in a
pool of blood and wrapped in the white and green of the Nigerian
standard — one of the same flags gripped by fellow protesters
earlier in the evening as they sang the country’s national anthem.
Ibanga confirmed the photograph is of his brother.
The body of Victor
Sunday Ibanga is pictured in a pool of blood.
Sunday Ibanga is pictured in a pool of blood.
The Ibangas are one of several
families yet to locate the bodies of their missing loved ones —
protestors at the toll gate — who dozens of eyewitnesses say were
shot at, first by members of the Nigerian army and then hours later
by police. Eyewitnesses told CNN they saw the army remove a number
of bodies from the scene.
families yet to locate the bodies of their missing loved ones —
protestors at the toll gate — who dozens of eyewitnesses say were
shot at, first by members of the Nigerian army and then hours later
by police. Eyewitnesses told CNN they saw the army remove a number
of bodies from the scene.
What happened on October 20, and
into the early hours of October 21, at the eight-lane Lekki toll
gate — a key piece of Lagos’ road network — has stunned the
country.
into the early hours of October 21, at the eight-lane Lekki toll
gate — a key piece of Lagos’ road network — has stunned the
country.
The protesters who were present
have told CNN it was a “massacre” with multiple people killed and
dozens wounded. But local authorities have downplayed that
account.
have told CNN it was a “massacre” with multiple people killed and
dozens wounded. But local authorities have downplayed that
account.
Lagos State Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, admitted to CNN that footage showed uniformed soldiers
firing on peaceful protesters but claimed only two demonstrators
were killed. But, he then said there was “not a scratch of blood”
at the toll gate when he visited. The governor said no families had
approached authorities saying they were missing relatives.
Sanwo-Olu, admitted to CNN that footage showed uniformed soldiers
firing on peaceful protesters but claimed only two demonstrators
were killed. But, he then said there was “not a scratch of blood”
at the toll gate when he visited. The governor said no families had
approached authorities saying they were missing relatives.
In the immediate aftermath of the
shooting, the army denied any involvement, describing reports of
the incident as “fake news,” before backtracking and saying that
soldiers were present but fired their weapons in the air and used
blanks, not live rounds.
shooting, the army denied any involvement, describing reports of
the incident as “fake news,” before backtracking and saying that
soldiers were present but fired their weapons in the air and used
blanks, not live rounds.
CNN’s calls to the Nigerian army
have not been returned. But on November 14, during a judicial
inquiry into the shooting, army representative Brigadier Ahmed
Taiwo said, “There’s no way officers and men will kill their
brothers and sisters. I repeat no way. We have those who constantly
seek to drive a wedge between us and between the citizens of
Nigeria…”
have not been returned. But on November 14, during a judicial
inquiry into the shooting, army representative Brigadier Ahmed
Taiwo said, “There’s no way officers and men will kill their
brothers and sisters. I repeat no way. We have those who constantly
seek to drive a wedge between us and between the citizens of
Nigeria…”
The army also said at the hearing
that it was the governor who called soldiers to the scene because
the police were overrun. The governor has denied this, saying he
does not have the authority to call in the army. The army has
continued to restate that they did not fire live rounds.
that it was the governor who called soldiers to the scene because
the police were overrun. The governor has denied this, saying he
does not have the authority to call in the army. The army has
continued to restate that they did not fire live rounds.
But an investigation by CNN into
the disputed events has cast doubt on authorities’ shifting and
changing statements.
the disputed events has cast doubt on authorities’ shifting and
changing statements.
Evidence of bullet casings from the
scene match those used by the Nigerian army when shooting live
rounds, according to current and former Nigerian military
officials. Verified video footage — using timestamps and data from
the video files — shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the
direction of protesters. And accounts from eyewitnesses establish
that after the army withdrew, a second round of shooting happened
later in the evening.
scene match those used by the Nigerian army when shooting live
rounds, according to current and former Nigerian military
officials. Verified video footage — using timestamps and data from
the video files — shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the
direction of protesters. And accounts from eyewitnesses establish
that after the army withdrew, a second round of shooting happened
later in the evening.
Victor Sunday
Ibanga
Ibanga
Since Elisha Sunday Ibanga learned
of his brother’s death, he has been visiting hospitals in a
desperate search for his remains.
of his brother’s death, he has been visiting hospitals in a
desperate search for his remains.
“My mother, my sisters, all my
family are in prayer, just to see if we can find out and know where
my brother’s dead body is,” he said.
family are in prayer, just to see if we can find out and know where
my brother’s dead body is,” he said.
The bodies of other protesters are
nowhere to be found.
nowhere to be found.
Peace Okon, 24, hasn’t seen her
younger brother Wisdom, 18, since he went to the protest the night
of the shooting.
younger brother Wisdom, 18, since he went to the protest the night
of the shooting.
Wisdom Okon
“He just came back from work on
that Tuesday, ate his food and went there,” Okon told CNN.
that Tuesday, ate his food and went there,” Okon told CNN.
She started worrying when he didn’t
arrive home that night. By the next morning, Okon was out searching
for him. “I’ve gone to hospitals, I’ve gone to police stations,
I’ve gone to everywhere. I can’t find him,” she said.
arrive home that night. By the next morning, Okon was out searching
for him. “I’ve gone to hospitals, I’ve gone to police stations,
I’ve gone to everywhere. I can’t find him,” she said.
Her brother had only moved to Lagos
a few weeks before the protest — Okon had helped him find a job as
a cleaner at a bank. She says he didn’t know anyone at the protest
and had never been to one before.
a few weeks before the protest — Okon had helped him find a job as
a cleaner at a bank. She says he didn’t know anyone at the protest
and had never been to one before.
Okon said she wants the Nigerian
authorities to tell her if her brother is alive and detained or
dead.
authorities to tell her if her brother is alive and detained or
dead.
The shootings at Lekki toll gate
followed weeks of “#EndSARS” protests against police brutality that
had burst onto the streets of cities across Nigeria.
followed weeks of “#EndSARS” protests against police brutality that
had burst onto the streets of cities across Nigeria.
For almost a fortnight, thousands
of young Nigerians mostly under 30 — a demographic that makes up
40% of the country’s population — protested, with calls for an end
to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a police unit widely and
repeatedly accused of kidnapping, harassment and extortion.
of young Nigerians mostly under 30 — a demographic that makes up
40% of the country’s population — protested, with calls for an end
to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a police unit widely and
repeatedly accused of kidnapping, harassment and extortion.
Police had agreed to disband the
controversial unit but protests continued. It would be the fourth
time it was being disbanded.
controversial unit but protests continued. It would be the fourth
time it was being disbanded.
There were peaceful marches,
candlelight vigils, multi-faith prayer sessions and DJ performances
that attracted backing and solidarity from celebrities, the
Nigerian diaspora and supporters around the world. The movement
quickly widened beyond police brutality to other grievances —
capturing the frustrations of a young population demanding an end
to bad governance in the oil-rich country.
candlelight vigils, multi-faith prayer sessions and DJ performances
that attracted backing and solidarity from celebrities, the
Nigerian diaspora and supporters around the world. The movement
quickly widened beyond police brutality to other grievances —
capturing the frustrations of a young population demanding an end
to bad governance in the oil-rich country.
Lekki, a relatively affluent suburb
of Lagos, and the toll gate became a focal point of the
movement.
of Lagos, and the toll gate became a focal point of the
movement.
However, about 10 days into the
protests, the demonstrations were hijacked by “thugs and sponsored
hoodlums” who attacked protesters, causing deaths and injuries,
according to Amnesty International Nigeria.
protests, the demonstrations were hijacked by “thugs and sponsored
hoodlums” who attacked protesters, causing deaths and injuries,
according to Amnesty International Nigeria.
In response, on October 20, hours
before the shooting, Governor Sanwo-Olu imposed a strict curfew
starting at 4 p.m. following looting and vandalism in other parts
of the state.
before the shooting, Governor Sanwo-Olu imposed a strict curfew
starting at 4 p.m. following looting and vandalism in other parts
of the state.
It was later moved to 9 p.m. to
allow commuters to get home. The timeline for when the curfew was
imposed has become a point of contention between the Governor and
the military. The army said their soldiers were unaware of the
change to the later time, according to the army spokesperson’s
testimony to the eight-person judicial panel on November 14.
allow commuters to get home. The timeline for when the curfew was
imposed has become a point of contention between the Governor and
the military. The army said their soldiers were unaware of the
change to the later time, according to the army spokesperson’s
testimony to the eight-person judicial panel on November 14.
For 24 hours, only essential
service providers were to be allowed on the streets of the
20-million strong city.
service providers were to be allowed on the streets of the
20-million strong city.
Demonstrators protest
police brutality at the Lekki toll gate on October 20.
police brutality at the Lekki toll gate on October 20.
Testimony from dozens of
eyewitnesses and family members interviewed by CNN and a forensic
examination of hours of video and dozens of photographs captured
before, during and after the two shooting incidents show how a
fledgling protest movement was all but extinguished by the very
thing Nigerians were demonstrating against.
eyewitnesses and family members interviewed by CNN and a forensic
examination of hours of video and dozens of photographs captured
before, during and after the two shooting incidents show how a
fledgling protest movement was all but extinguished by the very
thing Nigerians were demonstrating against.
Less than three hours after the
original curfew time came into effect, army trucks left the Bonny
Camp barracks on Victoria Island and headed towards the toll gate
plaza and the protesters, according to videos reviewed by
CNN.
original curfew time came into effect, army trucks left the Bonny
Camp barracks on Victoria Island and headed towards the toll gate
plaza and the protesters, according to videos reviewed by
CNN.
Two eyewitnesses told CNN they saw
soldiers arriving in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck with “OP Awatse”
written on it — the name of a joint military task force that
operates in Lagos State.
soldiers arriving in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck with “OP Awatse”
written on it — the name of a joint military task force that
operates in Lagos State.
Videos examined by CNN show the
army trucks approaching the protesters from both sides of the toll
gate — barricading them in.
army trucks approaching the protesters from both sides of the toll
gate — barricading them in.
DJ Switch, a local musician whose
real name is Obianuju Catherine Udeh, was streaming live on
Instagram when it all happened and the shooting began.
real name is Obianuju Catherine Udeh, was streaming live on
Instagram when it all happened and the shooting began.
The shooting started almost
immediately, with no warning given. Panic ensued as protesters
attempted to flee.
immediately, with no warning given. Panic ensued as protesters
attempted to flee.
"cnnix-golf__pullquote m-infographic-- js-whitelist">“Please explain to me how,
in which part of the world, do you go to a protest with live
bullets.”DJ Switch
“There was a guy that was running,
and he just… he fell, and we looked at him. He was shot in the
back,” DJ Switch, 29, told CNN, as she tried to talk during an
interview while crying.
and he just… he fell, and we looked at him. He was shot in the
back,” DJ Switch, 29, told CNN, as she tried to talk during an
interview while crying.
“Please explain to me how, in which
part of the world, do you go to a protest with live bullets,” she
said.
part of the world, do you go to a protest with live bullets,” she
said.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
From multiple videos, CNN has
pieced together a timeline that shows that shooting by the army
lasted from 6:43 p.m. until at least 8:24 p.m., according to video
evidence.
pieced together a timeline that shows that shooting by the army
lasted from 6:43 p.m. until at least 8:24 p.m., according to video
evidence.
The videos capturing some of those
101 minutes tell a story of terror and chaos. They show graphic
injuries and people bleeding on the ground.
101 minutes tell a story of terror and chaos. They show graphic
injuries and people bleeding on the ground.
One eyewitness, Sarah, whose last
name we’re not publishing for her safety, told CNN that the
soldiers shot in the air but also directly at protesters.
name we’re not publishing for her safety, told CNN that the
soldiers shot in the air but also directly at protesters.
“They pointed their guns at us and
they started shooting,” she said. “They were shooting in the air,
they were shooting at us, they were shooting everywhere.”
they started shooting,” she said. “They were shooting in the air,
they were shooting at us, they were shooting everywhere.”
Some chanted: “We are peaceful
protesters” and “End Sars, we no go gree [pidgin for we will not
agree, or give in].”
protesters” and “End Sars, we no go gree [pidgin for we will not
agree, or give in].”
“They’re shooting, they’re
shooting,” another person screams in one of the videos. Cries of
“Na lie, na lie [exclamations of disbelief in pidgin]” can also be
heard.
shooting,” another person screams in one of the videos. Cries of
“Na lie, na lie [exclamations of disbelief in pidgin]” can also be
heard.
In several of the videos, reviewed
and verified by CNN, some of the protesters can be seen carrying
bodies, the flashlights on their phones the only thing illuminating
the darkness as the sound of ambulance sirens wail in the
background. It is not known whether these were dead or injured
protesters.
and verified by CNN, some of the protesters can be seen carrying
bodies, the flashlights on their phones the only thing illuminating
the darkness as the sound of ambulance sirens wail in the
background. It is not known whether these were dead or injured
protesters.
In another, there are several
injured people, some on the ground bleeding while defiant
protesters continued to wave Nigerian flags.
injured people, some on the ground bleeding while defiant
protesters continued to wave Nigerian flags.
Injured people whom CNN has
confirmed were present at the toll gate started arriving in local
hospitals — carried by civilians — from 7:19 p.m. while the
shooting was still ongoing, according to videos analyzed by
CNN.
confirmed were present at the toll gate started arriving in local
hospitals — carried by civilians — from 7:19 p.m. while the
shooting was still ongoing, according to videos analyzed by
CNN.
One of the
protesters, Mathew, pictured, says he was injured when the army
opened fire at Lekki toll gate. Using metadata, CNN geolocated the
image to the protest location at 6:50 pm.
protesters, Mathew, pictured, says he was injured when the army
opened fire at Lekki toll gate. Using metadata, CNN geolocated the
image to the protest location at 6:50 pm.
CNN has also seen and verified
footage from one man who used his car as a makeshift ambulance and
transported people to hospital.
footage from one man who used his car as a makeshift ambulance and
transported people to hospital.
Separately, Dr. Ayo Aranmolate,
executive medical director at Grandville medical center, told CNN
he and his colleagues received around 15 injured people that night
with various gunshot wounds and cuts. None of the people they
treated died, he added.
executive medical director at Grandville medical center, told CNN
he and his colleagues received around 15 injured people that night
with various gunshot wounds and cuts. None of the people they
treated died, he added.
“We referred some for treatment to
other hospitals,” Dr. Aranmolate said. “One of the victims had to
have his leg amputated.”
other hospitals,” Dr. Aranmolate said. “One of the victims had to
have his leg amputated.”
The army has denied that anyone was
taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, and that they only shot into
the air.
taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, and that they only shot into
the air.
Speaking in front of the judicial
panel, the army spokesman Brigadier Ahmed Taiwo continued to deny
that anyone was shot.
panel, the army spokesman Brigadier Ahmed Taiwo continued to deny
that anyone was shot.
Multiple eyewitnesses told CNN that
ambulances were prevented from reaching the scene by the
authorities.
ambulances were prevented from reaching the scene by the
authorities.
A video filmed at 8:49 p.m.,
according to metadata, shows ambulance workers in a van at the
scene saying they are unable to get through.
according to metadata, shows ambulance workers in a van at the
scene saying they are unable to get through.
When contacted by CNN to share the
findings of this investigation, a Lagos State government spokesman
declined to comment. “Talking about that subject now will be
sub-judicial since the matter is already before a panel of inquiry.
Until the panel concludes its investigation, the subject will not
be open to any discussion or comment by any State official,” the
spokesperson said.
findings of this investigation, a Lagos State government spokesman
declined to comment. “Talking about that subject now will be
sub-judicial since the matter is already before a panel of inquiry.
Until the panel concludes its investigation, the subject will not
be open to any discussion or comment by any State official,” the
spokesperson said.
Members of the
judicial panel visit the Lekki toll gate on October 30.
judicial panel visit the Lekki toll gate on October 30.
DJ Switch said she wanted people to
see what was happening which is why she started broadcasting.
see what was happening which is why she started broadcasting.
“I didn’t want anybody to come on
and twist the story. I wanted people to see. So, I just went
live.”
and twist the story. I wanted people to see. So, I just went
live.”
At one point during the broadcast,
there were attempts to resuscitate a man in red clothing who had
passed out.
there were attempts to resuscitate a man in red clothing who had
passed out.
Later, DJ Switch can be seen
helping to extract a bullet lodged in another man’s thigh as he
screams in agony. Someone in the crowd says, “you will live, you
will not die.”
helping to extract a bullet lodged in another man’s thigh as he
screams in agony. Someone in the crowd says, “you will live, you
will not die.”
As the live broadcast ends, people
are still trying to apply CPR on the man in red, while DJ Switch
can be heard saying, “this guy is dying.”
are still trying to apply CPR on the man in red, while DJ Switch
can be heard saying, “this guy is dying.”
DJ Switch told CNN that protesters
lifted bodies with bullet wounds and put them at the soldiers’
feet.
lifted bodies with bullet wounds and put them at the soldiers’
feet.
“I said, why are you killing us?
Why are you doing this,” she said. “He expressly told me: ‘I am
acting on orders from above.’”
Why are you doing this,” she said. “He expressly told me: ‘I am
acting on orders from above.’”
CNN has examined bullet casings
found at the scene and confirmed with current and former Nigerian
military sources that the bullet casings match those used by the
army. Two ballistics experts have also confirmed with CNN that the
shape of the bullet casings indicate they used live rounds, which
contradicts the army’s claim they fired blanks.
found at the scene and confirmed with current and former Nigerian
military sources that the bullet casings match those used by the
army. Two ballistics experts have also confirmed with CNN that the
shape of the bullet casings indicate they used live rounds, which
contradicts the army’s claim they fired blanks.
CNN has verified that
bullets fired at Lekki toll gate are from live ammunition. This one
was manufactured in Serbia in 2005, and is currently in use by the
Nigerian army.
bullets fired at Lekki toll gate are from live ammunition. This one
was manufactured in Serbia in 2005, and is currently in use by the
Nigerian army.
And working with the Balkan
Investigative Reporting Network, CNN has established that several
of the bullets from the Lekki toll gate originated from Serbia.
Export documents CNN has seen show that Nigeria purchased weaponry
from Serbia almost every year between 2005 and 2016.
Investigative Reporting Network, CNN has established that several
of the bullets from the Lekki toll gate originated from Serbia.
Export documents CNN has seen show that Nigeria purchased weaponry
from Serbia almost every year between 2005 and 2016.
After the army withdrew from the
scene, members of the police, including the SARS police unit —
disbanded by authorities on 11 October — moved in, according to
multiple eyewitnesses CNN spoke with.
scene, members of the police, including the SARS police unit —
disbanded by authorities on 11 October — moved in, according to
multiple eyewitnesses CNN spoke with.
In a video obtained by CNN and
geolocated to Lekki toll gate at 2:36 a.m., one eyewitness, Legend,
whose second name we’re not publishing for his safety, can be seen
with the Nigerian flag around his head saying, “…my hand is broken,
my leg is broken, and police are still shooting at us.”
geolocated to Lekki toll gate at 2:36 a.m., one eyewitness, Legend,
whose second name we’re not publishing for his safety, can be seen
with the Nigerian flag around his head saying, “…my hand is broken,
my leg is broken, and police are still shooting at us.”
"cnnix-golf__pullquote m-infographic-- js-whitelist">“I couldn’t count how many
dead because I was running for my life.”Legend
“They are shooting anything that
moves outside…Stay safe through the night. And if I don’t make it
through the night let it be known that I died fighting for our
freedom, for what we believe in.”
moves outside…Stay safe through the night. And if I don’t make it
through the night let it be known that I died fighting for our
freedom, for what we believe in.”
Legend, who survived, told CNN his
father was a police officer and that he recognized the SARS
uniform. About 200 protesters remained at the toll gate when
witnesses say police and SARS arrived, he added.
father was a police officer and that he recognized the SARS
uniform. About 200 protesters remained at the toll gate when
witnesses say police and SARS arrived, he added.
“I couldn’t count how many dead
because I was running for my life,” Legend said. “If I stood my
ground five more seconds, I would be dead.”
because I was running for my life,” Legend said. “If I stood my
ground five more seconds, I would be dead.”
While CNN has not been able to
independently verify that SARS members were present, multiple
eyewitnesses said they saw police officers, accompanied by officers
from the unit, at the scene after the army left.
independently verify that SARS members were present, multiple
eyewitnesses said they saw police officers, accompanied by officers
from the unit, at the scene after the army left.
A Lagos State police spokesman
declined to comment because of the ongoing panel investigation. But
police have denied any use of force against protesters on Twitter,
saying, “….our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful
force or shooting at the protesters.”
declined to comment because of the ongoing panel investigation. But
police have denied any use of force against protesters on Twitter,
saying, “….our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful
force or shooting at the protesters.”
The widespread looting and damage
that occurred across Lagos in the aftermath of the Lekki toll gate
shooting has led to the authorities clamping down on people who
took part in the protests.
that occurred across Lagos in the aftermath of the Lekki toll gate
shooting has led to the authorities clamping down on people who
took part in the protests.
Workers clean up the
Lekki toll gate on October 24.
Lekki toll gate on October 24.
Many feel they are being
scapegoated for taking part in peaceful protests — wrongly blamed
for the looting — and fear has descended on the movement since the
shooting.
scapegoated for taking part in peaceful protests — wrongly blamed
for the looting — and fear has descended on the movement since the
shooting.
Moe Odele, a prominent lawyer who
was giving legal advice to demonstrators arrested during the
protests, says she was recently prevented from leaving the country
after her passport was seized. Odele told CNN that her passport has
since been returned.
was giving legal advice to demonstrators arrested during the
protests, says she was recently prevented from leaving the country
after her passport was seized. Odele told CNN that her passport has
since been returned.
The country’s central bank has
obtained a 90-day court order freezing the accounts of those who
took part in the demonstrations, according to media reports, while
a journalist who covered the protests was arrested and detained for
five days before being freed on bail.
obtained a 90-day court order freezing the accounts of those who
took part in the demonstrations, according to media reports, while
a journalist who covered the protests was arrested and detained for
five days before being freed on bail.
Several eyewitnesses have fled the
country, while others are living in safe houses. Some told CNN they
were offered money to recant their initial testimonies.
country, while others are living in safe houses. Some told CNN they
were offered money to recant their initial testimonies.
CNN has seen some of the messages
received, though it is unclear who is sending them.
received, though it is unclear who is sending them.
“We’re hiding because our lives are
in danger,” an eyewitness named Sarah told CNN. “We can’t go out,
our jobs are on hold right now, and it’s really sad because we did
nothing wrong.”
in danger,” an eyewitness named Sarah told CNN. “We can’t go out,
our jobs are on hold right now, and it’s really sad because we did
nothing wrong.”
“All we did was ask for
change.”
change.”