The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has suggested that shooting and killing of unarmed civilians is a crime his country, the United Kingdom has also been found guilty of.
The Archbishop stated this in his article published on ThisDay newspaper.
He said “the deliberate shooting of unarmed protestors in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria last week was an outrage.
“I say this as a human being, as a Christian, and as the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion – which counts some 18 million Nigerians as part of our global family.
“But I also say this as a British citizen, knowing that in our recent colonial past, the UK has committed appalling acts of violence.
“Just over a year ago, I visited the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, India, where a great number of Sikhs – as well as Hindus, Muslims and Christians – were shot dead by British troops in 1919.
“I had no status to apologise on behalf of the British government for that atrocity. But I could speak of my shame, sorrow and horror that it happened.
“And while I absolutely have no place to lecture or rebuke Nigeria, a country that is very dear to my heart, I can say this: learn from our mistakes.
“Do not go further down the path of violence and injustice. Turn around and find the path of peace, justice and reconciliation.”
Soldiers of the Nigerian army stormed the Lekki area of Lagos State on Tuesday and opened fire on unarmed protesters killing some and injuring many.
The issue has raised a lot of controversies in the country with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu finally revealing yesterday that Nigerian Army ordered the shooting of End SARS protesters.
The army had earlier stated that its men were not present at the toll gate during the incident on Tuesday, October 20.
It had also dismissed the viral videos of the shooting as “photoshopped.”
But, speaking to CNN on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said footage available to him shows that the Nigerian Army ordered the shooting.
He also promised that after investigations, everyone found culpable of the act will be prosecuted.
Also in recent development, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister for Works and Housing, on Sunday, discovered a hidden camera at the Lekki Toll Gate, Admiralty Circle, in Lagos.
The Minister made the discovery when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Governor, over the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the State.
