Former Information Minister Lai Mohammed insists the Lekki Toll Gate incident during EndSARS was misrepresented, saying no massacre occurred despite confirmed protest casualties.
A former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed, has once again restated his position on the controversial events that unfolded during the 2020 EndSARS protests, firmly rejecting claims that a massacre took place at the Lekki Toll Gate.
Speaking during a televised interview on Channels Television, Mohammed maintained that although the protests resulted in casualties across the country, the narrative of a mass killing at the Lekki Toll Gate was not supported by verified evidence.
Mohammed explained that from the outset, the federal government never denied that lives were lost during the EndSARS protests.
According to him, the demonstrations, which spread rapidly across several states, led to widespread unrest, attacks on security personnel, and destruction of public and private property.
He noted that at least 37 police officers and six soldiers lost their lives during the period, underscoring the gravity of the violence that accompanied the protests.
However, the former minister insisted that equating these nationwide casualties with a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate was misleading.
He argued that despite repeated allegations and international attention, no conclusive proof has been presented to show that protesters were deliberately killed in large numbers at the location.
Mohammed challenged critics to provide verifiable accounts from families who lost relatives specifically at the Lekki Toll Gate, stating that no such testimonies have emerged years after the incident.
According to him, the soldiers deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate were sent there to restore order after the protests escalated and traffic was disrupted.
He emphasized that their mandate was crowd control, not the use of lethal force.
Mohammed reiterated that the troops were issued blank bullets, a claim he has consistently made since leaving office.
He stressed that the intention was to disperse protesters and prevent further breakdown of law and order, not to cause fatalities.
Addressing concerns about the potential danger of blank ammunition, Mohammed acknowledged that such rounds could still cause injuries under certain circumstances.
However, he maintained that injuries, while unfortunate, should not be confused with a massacre.
In his view, the distinction is critical, as a massacre implies deliberate and large-scale killing, which he insists did not occur at the Lekki Toll Gate.
The former minister also criticized what he described as the spread of misinformation during and after the protests.
He argued that social media amplified unverified claims, emotionally charged videos, and speculative reports, which were quickly accepted as fact by many Nigerians and international observers.
According to him, this wave of misinformation made it difficult for official explanations to gain public trust, even when investigations and panels of inquiry were set up.
Mohammed’s comments reflect a broader defense of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, particularly its handling of the EndSARS crisis.
He has repeatedly argued that while mistakes may have been made in managing public communication, the government did not sanction the killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.
He believes history will eventually separate facts from emotionally driven narratives.
Beyond the EndSARS issue, Mohammed also addressed questions surrounding the ongoing trials and investigations of some former ministers who served under the Buhari administration.
He cautioned against judging the entire government’s legacy based on allegations involving a few individuals.
According to him, it would be unfair and simplistic to reduce an eight-year administration to the actions of a handful of officials who are still facing legal processes.
He pointed to what he described as notable achievements of the Buhari government, including Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mohammed argued that despite global challenges, Nigeria managed to limit the worst impacts of the pandemic through coordinated health measures and international cooperation.
He also cited the renovation and revitalization of the National Theatre as a symbol of cultural investment and national renewal during the administration.
In his view, these accomplishments deserve recognition alongside criticisms, rather than being overshadowed entirely by controversies such as the Lekki Toll Gate debate.
Mohammed urged Nigerians to adopt a more balanced approach when assessing recent history, acknowledging both shortcomings and successes.
The debate surrounding the Lekki Toll Gate remains a sensitive and emotional topic in Nigeria’s public discourse.
For many young Nigerians, it symbolizes a broader struggle against police brutality and governance failures.
For Mohammed and others who share his perspective, it represents how misinformation and emotionally charged narratives can harden into widely accepted beliefs without definitive proof.
As discussions about accountability, justice, and reform continue, Mohammed’s remarks serve as a reminder that the EndSARS protests and their aftermath will likely remain a contested chapter in Nigeria’s history.
Whether consensus will ever be reached on what truly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate remains uncertain, but the conversation continues to shape public trust in institutions and leadership.
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