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Nigerians were in shock after a deadly shootout against peaceful protesters in the larger city of Lagos, which Amnesty International blamed on security forces.
There was no immediate death toll from the incident last night, in which witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of more than 1,000 to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end the spiraling protests over police brutality.
Sporadic gunfire can still be heard this morning in Lagos, an AFP journalist said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said 25 people were injured and two received intensive care, as local authorities promised to investigate.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu he said on Twitter: “This is the hardest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history.”
Posting photos of him visiting hospitals in the early hours of this morning, he added: “I recognize that the ball stops at my table and I will work with the FG (federal government) to get to the root of this unfortunate incident.”
This is the most difficult night of our lives, as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger.
I have just concluded visits to hospitals with the victims of this unfortunate shooting in Lekki. pic.twitter.com/r5idAn9Pxw
– Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020
Amnesty International said that the security forces killed several people and that they were “working to verify” the death toll.
The Nigerian military did not issue a direct statement, but called the reports of soldiers firing at protesters as “fake news” on Twitter.
Biden urges the army to end the crackdown
Anger over the abuses by the hated Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) of the police erupted into widespread protests about two weeks ago, drawing thousands of people to the streets.
Sanwo-Olu had announced an indefinite curfew since yesterday afternoon in Africa’s largest city after claiming that the demonstrations had been hijacked by criminals.
The police chief also ordered the deployment of anti-riot units throughout the country.
Images and videos showing scenes of chaos from the shooting were widely shared on social media.
“At 5 in the morning. We keep getting calls from people from Lekki. All through the night. Some are hiding nearby, some are injured, some are just completely scared,” Nigerian podcast host Feyikemi Abudu said on Twitter. , who has been actively involved in the protests. .
US presidential candidate Joe Biden urged the president and the military to “end the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already led to several deaths.”
In a statement, Biden said: “The United States must support Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.”
“I encourage the government to enter into a good faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria.”
The protests have multiplied from anger over police violence to broader demands by young people for radical changes in Africa’s most populous nation.
Nigeria, where the average age is 18, is a tinderbox of deep economic and social grievances.
Several celebrities who have supported the protesters have added their voices to calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.
As of yesterday, 18 people had died in the demonstrations when clashes between protesters and plainclothes assailants were reported.
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