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Lagos ENDSARS Panel: Lekki Tollgate Incident Was A Massacre (List Of Victims)
The Lagos Judicial Panel on #EndSARS, has confirmed there was indeed a massacre of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on 20 October 2020, contrary to official narrative debunking it.
The panel indicted soldiers and implicated Nigeria’s security agents in the killing and forced disappearances of harmless and unarmed youths protesting at Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020.
According to the finding of the panel, headed by Justice Okuwobi, the massacre was carried out by both the military and the police.
The finding by the panel knocked the bottom out of the position of Information Minister Lai Mohammed, who claimed there was no massacre at the Toll Gate.
First of all, the panel questioned the deployment of soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate as the protest there was peaceful, unlike the pockets of violence in the other parts of the city.
“The deployment of the army to Lekki Toll Gate on 20/10/2020, in the absence of any reported violence was totally unwarranted”, the panel found.
Unlike official narrative of one or two persons dying at the tollgate, the panel confirmed 11 people dead and another four missing, but presumed dead, making a total of 15.
It listed the names of the dead casualties and the many injured. Lekki Toll Gate casualties Lekki Toll Gate casualties 2
The panel reported that the response to its Summons was hugely positive, as over 80% of those summoned honored the invitations, and gave evidence before the Panel, which assisted it greatly in unravelling the events of the 20th October 2020.
The protesters on their own attended the Panel’s proceedings and presented evidence of what happened at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October, 2020.
On the part of the ENDSARS Protesters the Panel specifically considered the evidence of persons, who alleged that they were victims with injuries or death of their loved ones, which occurred during the Lekki Toll Gate Incident and the testimonies of those who were present and traumatized.
Some gave accounts of what happened even though they had no physical injuries.
The evidence considered in this regard usually represented similar versions of the Lekki Toll Gate Incident as corroborated by other protesters, who were treated as Petitioners with Petitions arising from the Toll Gate Incident. Virtually all witnesses were cross examined by counsel to parties with opposing versions of Lekki Toll Gate Incident.
Panel reached its findings and prepared its reports despite the evidence of the Nigerian Army, that was limited, as most of the officers who were summoned and who filed affidavits never appeared before the Panel.
At the conclusion of evidence of all relevant parties, key issues which called for determination and upon which the findings of the Panel were based are summarized as follows:
• Whether the Nigerian Army used live bullets on unarmed and defenseless protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20th October 2020?
• Whether the live bullets resulted in injuries or casualties on the part of the protesters?
• Whether the Police was at the Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October 2020 and the morning of the 21st of October 2020 and whether they shot at unarmed and defenseless protesters?
• Whether the LCC played any role in the events of the night of the 20th of October 2020?
• Whether the Lagos State played any role in the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of the 20th of October 2020.
The Panel thus made the following key findings:
1. That the Nigerian Army was invited for intervention in the State and was deployed to Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October 2020. At the Lekki Toll Gate, officers of the Nigerian Army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre. The Panel also found that the conduct of the Nigerian Army was exacerbated by its refusal to allow ambulances render medical assistance to victims who required such assistance. The Army was also found not to have adhered to its own Rules of Engagement.
2. The Panel found that the Nigerian Police Force deployed its officers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th October, 2020 and between that night and the morning of the 21st of October, 2020, its officer shot at, assaulted and battered unarmed protesters, which led to injuries and deaths. The police officers also tried to cover up their actions by picking up bullets.
3. The panel found that LCC hampered the panel’s investigation by refusing to turn over some useful and vital information/evidence as requested by the Panel and the Forensic Expert engaged by the panel, even where such information and evidence was by the company’s admission, available. It manipulated the incomplete CCTV Video footage of the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October 2020, which it tendered before the Panel.
4. The Panel found that there was an invitation of the Nigerian Army to Lagos State made by the Lagos State Government through the Governor before the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army deployed its soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October.
5. The Panel found that there was an attempt to cover up the Incident of the 20th of October by the cleaning of the Lekki Toll Gate and the failure to preserve the scene ahead of potential investigations.
Upon the above key findings amongst others, the Panel made a total of 32
Recommendations, which included but not limited to:
• Holistic Police Reforms covering welfare, training and proper equipping of Policemen and their working environment;
• Sanctioning of the officers of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force respectively who participated in shooting, injuring and killing of unarmed protestors at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20 and 21st of October 2020;
• Development of more robust engagement between the Youth and the Government;
• Setting up of a Standing Committee/Tribunal to deal with cases of Violation of Human Rights by security agencies and a trust fund to settle compensation awarded by such committee/tribunal;
• A public apology to ENDSARS protesters who were killed, injured and traumatized bythe Incident of the 20th of October 2020;
• The memorialization of the Lekki Toll Gate and the 20th of October going forward
At the presentation of the report on Monday, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised
1. To set up a Four-Man Committee led by the Honourable Attorney-General to prepare a White Paper for the purpose of implementing the findings and recommendations expressed in the report and to give it legal backing; and
2. To send the report to the National Economic Council for implementation.
Read the report here: JPI REPORT FOR LEKKI INCIDENT
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi recently defended his past interactions with armed groups, stating he “took the bull by the horns” in 2021 as a necessary step to address Nigeria’s insecurity.
In a post shared on Facebook on Thursday, Gumi said decades of neglect of disadvantaged populations had created deep socio-economic inequalities, leaving many youths vulnerable to manipulation by external forces seeking to destabilise the country.
According to him, the widening gap between the rich and the poor has turned many young people into “ready-made foot soldiers” in cycles of violence that enable the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources.
He also criticised the political class for being largely unresponsive, while noting that the intellectual community is preoccupied with survival struggles.
Reflecting on his past efforts, Gumi said he “took the bull by the horns” in 2021 by attempting to reintegrate violent elements into society rather than allowing them to be further radicalised.
He wrote: “Nigeria for decades has ignored the underprivileged section of its society. There is a significant socio-economic discrepancy, and the society is stratified. This makes our teaming youth ready-made foot soldiers for any foreign interest trying to divide us and rule. To plunder our resources while we are involved in a vicious circle of violence.
”Unfortunately, the political class is unattentive while the intelligentsia is held hostage in the struggle for existence.
“In 2021, I took the bull by the horns in an attempt to bring some of these uncouth elements back to our fold rather than letting them be exploited by the devil.
“I still believe this is the only way out of our predicament. However, it needs the political will and determination to achieve.
“May Allah bring peace back to our nation.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja rejected an ex-parte application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Peter Lifu declined the request from Wuse Ward leaders, ruling that such an order could not be granted without first hearing from the senator.
Instead, the judge ordered the ward leaders said to be loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to put the senator on notice to appear in court to join issues with them on their grievances.
Justice Lifu in a ruling on Thursday held that discretion in such a request for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
The judge said justice would be met in the case of the plaintiffs only when the side of the defendant is heard on its merit, along with that of the plaintiffs.
Consequently, the judge ordered that Senator Ireti Kingibe should be served with all court processes by the plaintiffs to enable her become aware of the suit and to prepare her defense.
The judge fixed April 20, 2026, for the plaintiffs and the serving senator to appear before him for hearing of all applications in the matter.
Those who sued the senator in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CV/539/2026 are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, on behalf of themselves and ward members as plaintiffs. The senator is the sole defendant.
In their ex-parte application, Kingibe representing the FCT in the Senate was said to have been suspended on March 10, 2026 by her Wuse Ward executives following allegations of anti-party activities and disregard of your cnstitution of the ADC.
In the ex- parte application filed on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kolawole Olowookere, the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse Ward applied for an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of party, pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
They also asked the judge to restrain the senator from performing any function, attending meetings or performing activities reserved for ADC members or representing the party in any activities.
Besides, the Ward Executive Committee had asked that she be restrained from further interfering with the administration of the ward, ward register and other activities.
The suit was predicated on five grounds among which are that Mrs Kingibe was placed on suspension due to anti-party activities, gross misconduct and confiscation of the ward statutory records.
They argued that the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the EXCO members.
They averred that despite the communication of the suspension to Kingibe, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and using her security details to intimidate the executive committee.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall who claimed to be representing the senator, announced that he had filed a preliminary objection against the suit. He added that it was served on M. S. Garba, who stood for the plaintiffs at Thursday’s proceedings.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, visited Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to lead a high-powered security assessment following recent security breaches.
The visit was aimed at strengthening public confidence and reinforcing ongoing efforts to stabilize affected communities.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, acting Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to restore calm and entrench lasting peace across the state.
According to the statement, upon arrival, the COAS was received by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, in a clear demonstration of strong civil-military cooperation and a shared commitment to addressing emerging security challenges.
The statement said the COAS received a comprehensive operational briefing from the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, who highlighted ongoing operations and proactive measures being implemented in synergy with other security agencies to contain threats, protect lives and property, and stabilise affected communities.
“As part of his engagements, Lieutenant General Shaibu also interacted with community leaders and residents, reassuring them of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to safeguarding all law-abiding citizens.
He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and supportive of security agencies by complying with the curfew and cooperating fully with ongoing operations and investigations, while going about their lawful activities.
The chairman of Jos North Local Government Area, Hon. Dachung Bagos, commended the COAS for the timely visit, noting that the presence of the nation’s top military leadership would boost public confidence and reinforce trust in ongoing security efforts.
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