Footage of Lekki #EndSARS protesters, soldiers encounter intact – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says the footage of what took place on Tuesday night at the Lekki tollgate, between the #EndSARS protesters and armed security personnel drafted to the area is intact.

He said the footage would assist the panel investigating the incident to unravel what transpired that night.

There were earlier reports that the CCTV cameras were disabled shortly before the encounter after the lights switched off.

The governor in an interview with Arise TV and monitored by News Trends, said the LCC, operator of the tollgate, had confirmed that what was removed were infrared car scanners.

“Evidence from the surveillance cameras (which wasn’t removed) will be used to aid investigations into the incident and a panel will be constituted to probe the shooting,” he said.

He sympathised with those who lost loved in the violence that erupted in the state following the #EndSARS protests.

“To the police and law enforcement that have lost members, we mourn these important members of our community,” he said.

He also spoke on efforts to return normalcy to the state, saying, “I mentioned my call to the President after which the Chief of Defence Staff called to assure us on helping to restore security to our state.”

He expressed optimism that Lagos would be stronger, adding, “We will rebuild bridges and we will deliver on the good work we started on ending police brutality and providing justice.

“The unfortunate incident that happened served as a catalyst that fuelled anger and looting by thugs across the state. Fake news and click baiting has also spread across social media further causing more chaos. I mourn the various losses across the state.

“We are working to stabilise things across the state as we look to rebuild. The state team is working with the hospitals and emergency services to verify the details of everyone involved in incidents across the state.

“On our work to end police brutality, our judicial panel is ready to begin work. We want to find justice and provide compensation for victims to the best of our abilities. We encourage the youth to provide two representatives to join the judicial panel.

“I want to implore Lagosians on the need to come together for genuine reconciliation to forge a better and stronger Lagos.

“Lagos is the Centre of Excellence, a symbol of national pride and we have to protect it. It is our home. It is my Lagos, your Lagos, our Lagos. We will protect our home. God bless Lagos State.”

Meanwhile, the governor has released a list of police being prosecuted over various charges of human right abuses and stressed that the state government would pursue the cases to a logical conclusion.

The list was released via a tweet on his Twitter handle.