For more than a week, peaceful #EndSARS protesters have been on the streets all over Nigeria, demanding for the total dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), justice for victims of police brutality and total reform of the police force.
Sadly, protests against police brutality at Lekki Tollgate, a key rallying point for peaceful demonstrations in Lagos State, turned bloody on Tuesday the 20th of October despite a state-wide curfew, with eyewitnesses testifying that officers of the Nigerian Army opened fire at them, injuring and killing several people.
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 imminent threat of death or serious injury.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) October 20, 2020
Social media footage streamed live from the scene showed dead bodies on the ground and protesters tending to the wounded.
The claims of fatal shootings in Lekki after two chaotic weeks of mounting protests has led to widespread reaction from the global community, with celebrities expressing sympathy for protesters while equally criticizing those in authority, and politicians calling on the federal government to get a grip on the escalating unrest that has rocked the nation.
Below is how the world reacted to the killings of #EndSARS protesters in what has since been dubbed the Lekki Massacre.
I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 20, 2020
.@JoeBiden on violence in Nigeria: “I urge President Buhari & the Nigerian military to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria…The US must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform & seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.” pic.twitter.com/G3DfOZtOIw
— Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) October 21, 2020
#EndSARS https://t.co/r715NbQCaR
— jack (@jack) October 21, 2020
A message from Beyoncé. #EndSARS
See listed organizations to show your support: https://t.co/yNqzbrxBeK pic.twitter.com/hYfIwVjBZy
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) October 21, 2020
#ENDSARS 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/59lrs8JnDA
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 20, 2020
There is a massacre happening in Lekki. Firing squads mass murdering young people in Nigeria. The world needs to engage #endSARS
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) October 20, 2020
#ENDSARS pic.twitter.com/mLCZO7UFG1
— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) October 21, 2020
Standing with & praying for the brave young people of Nigeria who are on the front lines of this senseless violence. Your voice is being heard. 🇳🇬 #EndSARS
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/DeVonFranklin/status/1318703599900266496?s=20
Don’t let the world turn away. Crimes against humanity have happened here. Be aware. Bear witness. Speak up. #LekkiMassacre #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/MdgdbWPwLb
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 21, 2020
Woke up reading about the Lekki Massacre in Nigeria where innocent people got shot. Where are we going.. #EndPoliceBrutality #LekkiMassacre #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/QiQ0p0UI9w
— Charlotte de Witte (@CharlottedWitte) October 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/NaomiCampbell/status/1318682077483552768?s=20
It’s bad in Nigeria guys. Please spread the word. #EndSARS
I’ve contacted almost every person of influence I know who can bring all eyes to the Nigeria struggle.
Let’s all do the same.#AfricaUnite— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) October 20, 2020
12 hours since security forces fired live rounds at #endSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate and no word from Nigeria’s government.
— Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) October 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/TyeTribbett/status/1318650139989299200?s=20
https://twitter.com/DeVonFranklin/status/1318703599900266496?s=20
Eyewitness accounts from #Nigeria of troops opening fire on peaceful protesters: Demands for protection & calls for an end to police brutality have fallen on deaf ears. We get the latest from @EleniGiokos on #SARSMUSTEND #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/JuGCVoMUrq
— Rosemary Church (@rosemaryCNN) October 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/reecejames_24/status/1318837846938103808?s=20
https://twitter.com/ighalojude/status/1318666220447715329?s=20
I pray a middle ground can be found 🇳🇬🙏🏾🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/xuOxy8Smmb
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) October 20, 2020
Photo Credit: Twitter
