Lekki Shooting: US To Impose Visa Ban On Anti-Democratic Forces

The United States Government has insisted that any individual responsible for the shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza will be banned from entering its country.

Recall that men of the Nigeria Army had on Tuesday opened fire on unarmed protesters calling for an end to police brutality.

Following the shooting, the Defence headquarters denied deploying soldiers to the Lekki Toll Plaza.

But the Lagos State Government set up a judicial panel, which will begin sitting on Monday, to probe the killings at the Plaza.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who insisted that the military carried out the attack on peaceful protesters, explained that no sitting governor ‘controls the rules of engagement of the military’.

In an email inquiry sent to the US Foreign Mission in Nigeria, the PUNCH asked whether those responsible for the shootings would be banned from visiting the US.

The email enquiry read, “With regard to the shootings at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos and attack on protesters in various parts of the country, will the United States Government be considering a visa ban on persons found wanting in the last few weeks?”

In its response, the embassy stated, “We stand by Secretary Pompeo’s statement of October 8, 2020: Adherence to these democratic norms and to the rule of law allows all citizens to engage in political dialogue and support their choice of candidates, parties, and platforms.

“We will watch closely the actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process and will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions.”