#EndSARS: 62 Confirmed Killed, Lagos Destruction May Surpass N1trn to Rebuild

*My heart bleeds with level of destruction, says Sanwo-Olu

Investigation by THISDAY has revealed that 62 people were killed nationwide in the protests against the now-dissolved police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which metamorphosed into agitation for improved governance in addition to justice for victims of police brutality.

It has also emerged that over N1 trillion may be required to rebuild public and private property destroyed by hoodlums in Lagos. This was a rough assessment of the financial requirement after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited some of the destroyed property yesterday.

This is coming on the heels of a virtual meeting held with former Presidents by President Muhammadu Buhari, who briefed them on measures taken so far to manage the #EndSARS crisis.

Official figures, which THISDAY accessed last night, show that 51 of those killed are civilians while 11 others were policemen.

The shooting by soldiers to disperse the protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos had triggered more violence, resulting in deaths, largely in the state.

Earlier yesterday, Sanwo-Olu toured parts of the city affected by the breakdown in law and order. He was badly shaken by the level of destruction across the state.

The long list of destroyed public and private property in Lagos are Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government secretariat; Palace of the Oba of Lagos; Lagos High Court, Igbosere; Oyingbo BRT terminus; Ojodu Berger BRT terminus; Vehicle Inspection Office, Ojodu Berger; Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ojodu Berger; Lagos City Hall and Circle Mall, Lekki; numerous luxury shops in Surulere, The Nation Newspaper, TVC and Shoprite Lekki.

The state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, said 27 of the destroyed BRT vehicles cost $200,000 each, while 57 of them cost $100,000 each, all totalling about N3.9 billion.

According to the police, the 25 stations burnt in Lagos are Orile, Amukoko, Layeni, Ilasamaja, Ikotun, Ajah, Igando, Elemoro, Makinde, Onipanu, Ebute Ero, Pen-Cinema, Isokoko, Alade, Cele, Igbo Elerin, Shibiri, Gbagada,

Onilekere, Makoko, Daleko, Asahun, Makinyo, Amuwo-Odofin, Anti-Kidnapping, Surulere. Other police stations that were vandalised but not burnt were Ojo, Ojodu, Mowo, PPL and Morogbo.

The Governor was at the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, where he saw several cars in the expansive premises of the LGA that were either burnt or damaged.

All the buildings within the premises, including that of an old generation bank located there, were also destroyed.

He then moved to the adjourning police station where he also saw massive destruction.

A number of people he met at the station lamented that they were sons and daughters of police officers and wondered why their parents should be singled out by the hoodlums when they were simply performing their lawful duties.

A particular woman, wept and complained that they could not be given decent education because their parents were poorly paid and appealed to Sanwo-Olu to see to the welfare of policemen and women.

The governor then left the LGA Secretariat to visit some other spots in the area that suffered extensive damage.

My heart bleeds with level of destruction, says Sanwo-Olu

*…after touring places destroyed, vandalised

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday said his heart bleeds and he was pained after seeing the level of destruction that took place in the state on Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the #EndSARS protests.

Sanwo-Olu was addressing the press after a tour of the areas where massive destruction that took place in the state.

The governor visited 27 locations which includes: Palace of the Oba of Lagos, Ajeromi Ifelodun LG, FRSC, VIO office Ojodu Berger, BRT park at Berger, Lekki toll gate, bus terminals, police stations, historic government buildings, City Hall, private malls, offices, banks ATM etc.

The governor said he was traumatized by it all and was in tears when he saw the level of destruction especially the oldest court in Nigeria at Igbosere, adding that “we have not seen this level of destruction before in the state.”

According to him, “this is not the Lagos that was handed over to me in May 2019, how did we get here, this was supposed to be a peaceful protest.”

Moving forward, Sanwo-Olu said, “we need to continue to talk to ourselves,” he urged citizens who are still using the social media to instigate and incite citizens to desist.

“Everywhere i went today, people say they want peace, we all want peace, we can not continue to lose our population and our monuments and infrastructure.”

The governor, who also visited some hospitals where some of the injured at Tuesday Lekki toll gate were taken care of, said most of them have been discharged while the few remaining are responding to treatment.

Sanwo-Olu said the government would pick up the bills for the treatment of the injured.

He also said, the terms of reference of the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution has been expanded to include investigation of all issues that happened at Lekki Toll gate on Tuesday and it will be sitting at the Lagos Court of Arbitration at Lekki from Monday, urging all who have a case to petition the panel.

The governor has also eased the 24hours curfew from Sunday as movements will be allowed from 8am to 6pm.

Sanwo-Olu said the state has commenced the process of clearing the roads of all blockages, adding that LAWMA was out already and will work through out the night.

Stressing that “Lagos needs to heal and the healing has started,” Sanwo-Olu said.