A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has raised the alarm that both state and non-state actors have been threatening to kill their members since the leak of the #EndSARS panel report to the media.
The coalition of 14 groups, which gathered in Lagos on Thursday Novermber 25, 2021, said that many of them had received threat letters, while one, who participated in the panel, Kamson Ibeh, narrowly escaped death after she was attacked in Lagos by the alleged government sympathizers on the issue.
The coalision also called for a thorough investigation into the attack on Kamson Ibeh as well as the threats on Dabiri Oluwa and others.
“We condemn most vehemently, the violent, bloody attack on Kamson Ibeh, which took place in the evening of Sunday November 21, 2021.
“Kamson was also a victim of the army and police brutality at the Lekki Toll Gate last year. Her attack last Sunday was accompanied by threats of further mayhem by her assailants against #EndSARS activists.
“On Monday November 22, Dabira Oluwa also received a threat dropped on her car, warning that she was the next on the line to be attacked.
“We also note the threat of assassination against the persons of Barrister Olu Adegboruwa, Wiseman Kunle, and Barrister Faroti.
“Years ago, we were told by a prominent Nigerian statesman, Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, that Nigeria’s federal government was harboring a nest of killers. We hope that the same thing will not be said against the government of Lagos state.
“The prospect of a legitimately constituted government being involved in state sanctioned violent attacks and killings of innocent citizens is too gruesome and frightening to contemplate,” it stated.
The spokesperson of the coalition, Zikorah Ibeh, who commended the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters for the report, disclosed that they would resist any manipulation of the document.
“We stand by the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters report as released because it is a bold and objective reflection of the malfeasance that has characterized the behaviour of our security forces over the years,” she said.
The coalition however advocated for the speedy prosecution of the perpetrators once they are unmasked.
Other demands the civil society groups made include:
- Immediate prosecution of individuals indicted for human rights abuses and murder pre-October 20th 2020.
- That all those involved in the sordid and criminal events of the 20th October 2021 should be punished in accordance with the provisions of the law. This would include army, police, government personnel as well as personnel of the Lekki Concession Company. Corporate sanctions, if possible, should also be considered.
- That there should be adequate compensation for all victims of #EndSARS protests at the hands of state security operatives.
- That the Lekki Toll Gate be designated a national monument in celebration of the heroism of the Nigerian youths who, in an unprecedented and patriotic manner stood up to be counted on behalf of their country.
- That the commercialization of the Lekki Toll Gate which was the motivation for the mayhem by the army and police be stopped permanently forthwith as a testimony to the fact that profit must never attract a higher premium than human life.
-
- Members of the coalition include:
- Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
- Joint Action Front
- Justice Development and Peace Commission
- Genesis Organisation for Protection of Rights
- Spaces4Change
- Great Nigeria Movement
- Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
- Project for Human Development
- Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria
- Mafoluku Electricity Consumers Forum
- Help Initiative for Social Justice and Humanitarian Development
- Youths Rights Campaign
- Center for Dignity
- Peace and Development Project.
Source: Nigeria News Flight
