Wednesday, March 22, 2023

CNN doubles down on #LekkiMassacre, airs fresh documentary

The TV station is unfazed by threat of sanctions by the Nigerian government.

• November 24, 2020

CNN continued its uncovering facts around Lekki toll gate massacre on Tuesday despite threat from the Nigerian government to sanction the media platform for airing an investigative documentary on the event of October 20.

The second documentary corroborated facts in the initial report using CCTV footage submitted by the Lekki Concession Company at the Lagos panel of inquiry, reiterating the need for Nigerian authorities to come clean.

Information minister, Lai Mohammed, had last week described CNN’s report on the Lekki shootings as ‘unprofessional journalism,’ adding that the network deserved to be sanctioned.

Mr. Mohammed also followed up the threat with a letter addressed to the management of CNN in Atlanta on Monday.

The fresh report includes the admission of Brig.Gen Ahmed Taiwo, Commander, 81 Division, before the panel that the army used live rounds to engage the protesters at the tollgate.

NBC, Nigeria’s broadcast regulator had last month slammed hefty fines on three Nigerian television stations for daring to use some of the footage which CNN has also used, claiming the stations made use of unverifiable videos from social media.

The federal government has been criticised by the international community, with the incident being discussed on the U.K Parliament last night.

The British parliament has called for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and military officers who participated in human rights violation during the #EndSARS protest.

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