Lagos Suspends Planned Mass Burial For #EndSARS Victims

The Lagos State Government has announced the suspension of its previously planned mass burial for the 103 bodies recovered in the aftermath of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.

This decision comes in response to the controversy that erupted following the announcement made in July.

According to Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the mass burial plan has been put on hold to address the concerns raised by the public.

In a leaked memo dated July 19, 2023, the state government had initially indicated its intention to conduct a mass burial for the 103 corpses, sparking widespread debate and criticism, particularly from human rights activists and civil society organizations.

Both Amnesty International and the Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters had called for the suspension of the mass burial and urged the government to conduct transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims.

Responding to these concerns, the state government, through Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, assured that the government would adhere to global best practices in handling the mass burial.

As of now, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Omotoso, has confirmed that the planned mass burial remains suspended to provide ample time for people to identify their relatives among the deceased.

He emphasized that no one has yet come forward to identify any of the bodies, and the government aims to give individuals more time and opportunities for identification. The rescheduling of the mass burial is intended to ensure that families have sufficient time to determine whether their loved ones are among those recovered.