ABSTRACT
This concluding chapter summarizes this entire work, highlighting the major points. It is centered on both the Lekki tollgate massacre and the Owo shooting which took place October 20, 2020 and June 5, 2022 respectively. Similarly, both incidents bring to light the height of insecurity in Nigeria. It also brings to light the injustice in the country.
The first incident which chapter two is centered on, is the Lekki tollgate massacre. The shooting at Lekki tollgate didn't just happen. It was primarily an offshoot of the #EndSARS protest which spanned a couple of days. Though it started as a cry against police brutality and the need to bring an end to the activities of the SARS, the #EndSARS protest expanded to accommodate movements for economic reforms in Nigeria. The Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) was set up to combat robbery not be guilty of the act themselves. At the onset, the unit was very efficient and the purpose for its establishment was being fulfilled. With time, the unit began getting involved in acts not to be heard of within the police force, such as abuse, oppression, brutality amongst others. There were outcries for the disbandment of SARS. As a result of the growing awareness and the number of experiences being shared by the victims, the hashtag, #EndSARS began trending. It was a movement on Twitter which translated to physical protest after the incident that occred in Delta on October. The protest occured in several states of the federation. There were supports internationally for the cause. On October 11, 2020, the protesters brought forth their demands which were; the immediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for all those who died through police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; an independent body to investigate and prosecute all reports or complaints of police brutality within ten days; independent psychological evaluation and retraining of disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed; and adequate increase in the salaries for officers of the NPF as appropriate incentives for carrying out their constitutional duties of protecting lives and properties.1
On October 13, 2020, the SARS was disbanded and a new group known as SWAT was established. Individuals interested in joining this new team, the Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT) will undergo psychological and medical evaluations to determine their suitability and fitness for the role. Training for these prospective members will begin at various Police tactical training facilities across the country starting the next week.
The protests continued until October 20, 2020 when the infamous massacre occurred. The peculiarity of this massacre is that the very outfit expected to protect the country were the ones carrying out the massacre. Though the Nigerian army initially denied the attack, there was however evidence disputing the denial. The report of the judicial panel for inquiry established that the shooting carried out by the Nigerian army at Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 is a massacre. It also highlighted certain steps the government needed to take. This particular incident caused reactions both locally and internationally. The massacre also had an impact on the lives of Nigerians. The loss of loved ones, the betrayal by the government of the country amongst others.
It generated responses internationally from both individuals and organisations. The protest attracted international support from Nigerian diaspora populations in Ghana, the United States, Germany, the U.K., and Canada. The killings at the Lekki Toll Bridge further elicited international condemnation from notable international personalities including then presidential candidate Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Pope Francis. The then Secretary of State of the United States, Michael Pompeo, also condemned the Nigerian security forces for the “excessive use of force.” Similarly, the voices of global celebrities including Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Rhianna, among others, also contributed to providing the impetus for the protesters and pressuring the Nigerian government to stop the use of disproportionate force to quell the protests.
Chapter three is focused on the Owo shooting. This shooting was done at Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo State. It came as a shock as it was not expected that one would go boldly into such a sacred ground to desecrate it. Christians who had gone to have a splendid time with their Creator met what could be described as a nightmare. Over forty persons were declared dead. The perpetrators disguised themselves as members of the church, and at the end of the service, they threw explosives in the church and shot sporadically. The attack which lasted about twenty minutes filled the church with the smell of blood, death and fear. Many members laid under the pew, praying to God bring an end to this massacre. Throughout the attack, it was stated that no security forces came to the scene. Some of the members that tried to escape were shot at. Children, women, men were killed in this attack.
The Owo shooting also had impact on Nigerians. The shooting can be described as a very traumatic event. Many of those who survived suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some other survivors lost body parts such as legs, eyes etc. Some even had hearing loss from the attack.
The shooting received international response from Amnesty International, UN Secretary General, Walter Molumbo, Pope Francis and others.
Though both had international responses, the Lekki toll gate massacre had more international response than the Owo shooting. This is because the Lekki tollgate massacre was done by the security outfit meant to protect the country. Also, the Lekki tollgate massacre was not a stand-alone event. It was preceeded by the #EndSARS protest which initially began on social media.
