In a new turn of events, The Matrix News has gathered that the Lagos State Government has officially put brakes on the planned mass burial for the 103 victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.
This decision follows after a wave of controversy that erupted in response to the original announcement made in July.
Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, revealed that the government decided to suspend the mass burial due to the uproar that ensued following the leaked memo dated July 19, 2023.
The memo had initially declared the government’s intention to conduct the mass burial and sparked strong reactions from human rights activists and civil society organizations, including Amnesty International and the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters.
Commissioner Omotoso clarified, “The planned mass burial remains suspended to give people ample time to identify their relatives that may be among the corpses. It is to allow more time for identification, as suggested when it was disclosed that the government was planning a mass burial for them.” He further stated that despite the extended period, nobody has come forward to identify any of the corpses.
Amnesty International has gone a step further, calling for transparent coroner inquests and autopsies to be conducted on the 103 #EndSARS victims. In response, Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, assured that the governor is committed to adhering to global best practices in conducting the mass burial.
While the Lagos State Government maintains that the planned burial will eventually take place, it has been temporarily halted due to the controversies surrounding it. This extended period aims to provide people with a greater opportunity to determine if their relatives are among the deceased, ensuring that the burial aligns with international standards.
