Things have taken a turn for the worse as Nigerian citizens protest against police brutality in Lagos. During yesterday's 24-hour curfew, eyewitnesses say Nigerian forces opened fire on protesters. Near a tollgate in the Nigerian city of Lekki, eyewitnesses say the lights were turned off and members of the Nigerian army began shooting at citizens.
"Members of the Nigerian army pulled up on us and they started firing," Akinbosola Ogunsanya of Nigeria said.
"They were shooting, they were firing straight, directly at us, and a lot of people got hit. I just survived, barely."
Another witness, Temple Onanugbo, was at his home nearby when the incident Ogunsanya said he endured took place. Onanugbo said he could hear shots being fired for "15 to 30 minutes." Afterward, Onanugbo went to go help out those who may have been injured and he witnessed "multiple bodies laying on the ground."
The number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, but state government officials have said that they will launch an investigation into the matter.
"There are no excuses for the unfortunate incident that took place last night, and as the governor, I apologize for every action and inaction. I would like you to know that I am for you, I am with you and I understand that indeed you’re not happy with the turn of events last night," Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted.
The shooting comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality and local officials. Citizens have flooded the street to voice their frustrations, but have been met with various act of violence from state forces. Joining in, demonstrators have shown their support for the Nigerian movement in the U.K., U.S. and across the globe. Despite acts of violence utilized against them, protesters are committed to ending police brutality throughout the country.
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