Emmanuel OchayiThe Lagos State Government has postponed the proposed mass burial of 103 bodies recovered after the October 2020 #EndSARS protests. The decision comes after a leaked memo in July raised considerable concern among human rights activists and civil society organisations.
The controversy initially arose when news of an N61,285,000 allocation for the mass burial surfaced. The government clarified that the 103 victims were not related to the controversial Lekki Tollgate shooting but hailed from various areas of Lagos. Dr. Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, explained that the purpose was to decongest morgues, aligning with medical and legal protocols.
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Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, addressed the controversy, saying, “Up till now, nobody has shown up to identify any of the corpses. But the government has decided to give people more time.”
He assured that the mass burial would eventually take place, emphasizing the need to provide ample time for people to identify their relatives among the deceased.
Amnesty International and the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters had called on the government to suspend the mass burial and prioritize transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the victims.
In response, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, stated that they would adhere to global best practices in conducting the mass burial.
While the postponement aims to address concerns and allow for identification, it remains to be seen when the mass burial will eventually take place.
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