The Lagos State Government has announced the suspension of its planned mass burial for the 103 corpses recovered in the aftermath of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest. The decision comes in response to the controversy and objections raised when the government initially revealed its intentions in a leaked memo dated July 19, 2023.
Human rights organizations and civil society groups, including Amnesty International and the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters, had called for the suspension of the mass burial. They also demanded transparent coroner inquests and autopsies for the 103 #EndSARS victims.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, explained that the suspension aims to provide more time for people to identify their relatives among the recovered corpses. He emphasized that despite the extended suspension, no one has come forward to identify any of the bodies. The government intends to proceed with the mass burial but wants to ensure ample opportunity for identification, addressing the controversies surrounding the issue.
The decision reflects the government's commitment to conforming to global best practices and respecting the concerns of human rights advocates and the families of the deceased #EndSARS victims
