Despite Video Evidence, Nigeria's Attorney General Says It Was Hoodlums Who Shot Protesters At #LekkiMassacre

Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Monday declared that hoodlums wearing military uniforms may have shot EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.

This is despite overwhelming video evidence showing personnel of the Nigerian Army attacking peaceful demonstrators with live bullets at the place on October 20, 2020.

The military has also admitted to carrying out the operation at the scene on the request of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

SaharaReporters recall that the #EndSARS demonstrations across the country turned violent on that fateful day after Nigerian soldiers killed an unconfirmed number of persons at Lekki.

In Lagos and other states across the country, vehicles, government buildings and private properties were razed and looted in reaction to the killings.

The incident triggered a global outrage, with calls for justice echoing from different parts of the world.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Malami said an investigation was underway to ascertain what truly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate.

He said it was pre-emptive to conclude that there had been shooting.

“You cannot rule out the possibility of perhaps hoodlums that set in to create a scene… could equally partake in the process,” the minister said.