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Amnesty International (AI) on Thursday accused the Federal Government of cover-up in the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate and Alausa, Ikeja, in Lagos on October 20, 2020.

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The global human right watchdog stated this on the 100 days of the incident.

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But the Federal Government accused AI of disinformation and double standard in its reports on alleged rights abuses in the country.

Since the assault by security forces, which killed at least 12 people, Nigerian authorities have targeted supporters of the protests against police brutality by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), AI said.

The organisation said some of the movement’s supporters have had their bank accounts frozen.

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Amnesty International Nigeria Director Osai Ojigho said: “The bloody events of October 20, 2020, when Nigerian security forces killed at least 12 people during the violent dispersal of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki and Alausa, have cast a shadow over Nigerian society that lingers to this day.

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“Instead of bringing suspected perpetrators to justice and prioritising genuine police reforms, Nigerian authorities have been abusing their powers by subjecting those who supported the protests to intimidation, harassment and smear campaigns,” he added.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria Thursday in Abuja, Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said: “If Amnesty International has any proof, it should come out with it or shut up.

“After a lot of dillydallying, Amnesty International said 12 people were shot at the Lekki Tollgate.

“They should take advantage of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by Lagos State to tell the names and addresses of the 12 people they claim were shot at the toll gate,” he said.

Source: www.punchng.com