Professional women group condemns Lekki shootings, seeks justice for victims

Corporate executives on the platform of the Alliance of Business and Professional Women has condemned the violence unleashed on young, peaceful #EndSARS protesters by armed government forces on Tuesday night at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos State.

The group made this known in a statement on Wednesday co-signed by the Vice-Chairman, Poise Nigeria, Mavi Isibor; Chairperson, Women in Finance NG, Toyin F Sanni; Founder, RuffnTumble, Adenike Ogunlesi; and Founder, Africa Women CEOs Network, Dr Anino Emuwa.

The business leaders seek justice for dead and injured victims of the Lekki shootings. It also wants the government to ensure all wounded victims were adequately treated.

At least 30 persons have been confirmed wounded while eyewitnesses claimed about seven lives were lost when soldiers opened fire on protesters in a bid to disperse them from the Lekki toll gate — a focal demonstration ground for the #EndSARS campaign.

The group’s statement read, “We have watched with distress and consternation the videos and reports of the unprovoked assault by armed personnel on unarmed youth demonstrating against police brutality.

“These are Nigerian youths, our children, who were exercising their right to protest, which they have carried out in an exemplary fashion over the last few days.

“Whilst we recognise the duty of government to maintain law and order, there can be no justification for the use of maximum force on unarmed peaceful protesters.

“We call on the government, federal, state and security forces to immediately desist from attacking peaceful gatherings and to take decisive steps to ensure injured victims and the families of deceased receive medical treatment and reparation, and that perpetrators of this dastardly act are sanctioned.

“We call on all businessmen and women, professionals and professional bodies; public and private, domestic and international institutions; and civil service organisations to condemn these unprovoked acts in no uncertain terms.

“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces to address the nation on this grave situation to prevent further degradation and for the government to engage in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders

“Finally, we express our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones and salute the bravery and generosity of all those who have assisted victims in one way or another.”