#EndSARS protesters at the Lekki ground have come under heavy gunfire. Bullets fired by security operatives have hit some persons.
At least one person has been reported dead, others feared killed and many injured
Voices in a viral footage blamed the shootings on soldiers.
Gunshots rented the air late Tuesday evening hours after the expiration of a 24-hour curfew declared by the Lagos state government.
The state initially said the curfew would commence at 4 pm but at 7 pm, authorities announced that it had been extended to 9 pm.
Apparently, the change of time has not helped the ongoing situation.
Security agents move into Lekki at about 6:30 pm.
The light of the general area was turned off.
Earlier, security cameras were removed. Photographs of the removal are on the internet.
Amnesty International said “excessive use of force” occasioned “deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos.
“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 the imminent threat of death or serious injury,” it added.
In a tweet, Africa Story Live claimed that at least six protesters were killed.
It tweeted, “The Nigerian government has ordered the army to shoot live ammunition at peaceful protesters sitting unarmed in Lagos, Nigeria. The army has killed six people in the last hour.”
An eyewitness, Samuel Ajani, told Reporters At Large that many protesters were injured.
Ajani noted that the shooting caused pandemonium as protesters scampered to safety.
He said, “They shot at us. They initially started shooting into the air. We were all scared but some people told us not to run. We then surrounded ourselves in clusters.
“Their faces were covered. We did not know that that was their plan when they put off the light. They forgot that we have our phones and can stream live. Some people ran away but others stood. I hid behind a cemented barricade.
“They shot a guy right in front of me. The guy wanted to bend when the gunshot hit him. He started bleeding. Later we rushed to save him but he stopped breathing.”
Reporters At Large had reported that following the violent trend of #EndSARS protests, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has imposed 24 hours curfew in Lagos State.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu via his official Twitter handle.
The governor said the decision to declare the curfew following the violence which has broken out in some parts of the state following activities of criminals hiding under the guise of #EndSARS protesters.
