#EndSARS: Nigerians divided over US report that it could not verify protesters were killed

Nigerian Twitter is in a frenzy over the report by the US Department of States that it could not verify if #EndSARS protesters were killed on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki tollgate.

In the report tagged ‘2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria’, the US DoS stated that although Nigerian soldiers fired ammunition into the air to disperse protesters, no organisation has been able to verify if anyone died as a result.

“Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end,” the report said, adding that the Nigerian government “reported two deaths connected to the event.”

This is contrary to the report of a non-governmental organisation, Amnesty International,  which claimed that at least  10 persons died during the event.

Now, the US report – coming five months after the event – has got Nigerians on social media at loggerheads over what actually transpired on that fateful night.

One user, @AjayiWizeman, called on Nigerians to be wary of the US, who according to him, are in cahoots with the federal government.

“The US report show that we must take our destiny into our hands by understanding that there is a union between the US and Nigeria rulers.Both are crude capitalists that excel on oppressions through blood and mud.Keep uniting and fighting.We will win!”

Another, @BasilAzubuike, accused the US DoS of suppressing facts under the umbrella of political correctness.

“While reading the report, I realised that the US in the report on #EndSARS was clearly on the side of political correctness and economic ties than on the side of justice. There were too many clear evidences on what happened for them to assume ‘not too sure’ on their report.”

@doitorsavage accused the US DoS of being economical with the truth.

“Only a drunkard will read the US report and conclude that #LekkiMassacre didn’t happen. They mentioned security forces firing at civilians. Has the Nigerian army agreed to that? Is it the US that will tell you how many casualties? Shame on influencers who collected cash to trend #LekkiLies”