The Lagos State Government has decided to suspend the planned mass burial of 103 corpses recovered in the aftermath of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest. This decision comes following the controversy generated by the announcement in July, according to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
In a leaked memo dated July 19, 2023, the state government had initially announced the intention to conduct a mass burial for the 103 corpses, leading to concerns and protests from human rights campaigners and civil society organizations. Amnesty International and a group under the aegis of the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters had both demanded a suspension of the planned mass burial.
Amnesty International specifically called for a transparent coroner inquest and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims. In response to these demands, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, assured that the government would “conform to global best practices” in carrying out the mass burial.
Updating on the matter on Monday, Commissioner Omotoso stated that the planned mass burial “remains suspended to give people ample time to identify their relatives that may be among the corpses.” He explained that the suspension is intended to allow more time for identification, as suggested when the government initially disclosed its plans for a mass burial.
According to Omotoso, “up till now, nobody has shown up to identify any of the corpses. But the government has decided to give people more time.” He added that the planned burial would “be carried out soon, but because of the controversies around that time, it was suspended. People now have the time and ample opportunity to see if their relatives are there.”
