Protesters Killed After Nigeria Soldiers Open Fire In Lagos

Nigerian soldiers sent to quell civil unrest shot and killed several protesters in the country's largest city, Lagos. Armed soldiers reportedly opened fire on crowds gathering to protest police brutality.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for immediate calm. In a statement Wednesday Buhari called on the police to exercise "patience" and assured the public police reforms were "gathering pace."

Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said in a separate statement that at least 25 people were injured. He described the situation as an "unfortunate shooting incident." Babajide said that an investigation was now underway to find the soldiers that shot the protesters.

Witnesses who were present at the scene said that at least 12 people had been killed after the soldiers had opened fire. A report from Amnesty International claimed that it had "credible reports" of several protesters perishing after soldiers began to fire tear gas and then live rounds into the crowd.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered at Lagos' Lekki toll gate Tuesday to protest the actions of the now-disbanded police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Protests over the reported police brutality of the group have continued for over two weeks.

Witnesses claimed that the soldiers had arrived at the scene after nightfall. Videos eventually made their way on social media with screaming protesters and weapons' fire. Several bodies were shown on the ground.

"The Nigerian government sent the army to come and kill us. A lot of people were hit. You are not meant to shoot live firearms against us," one witness had told reporters following the incident.

Even with the videos posted online, the country's army has largely dismissed the reports, claiming that it was merely "fake news." Following the alleged shooting, the government had imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew within the city and its neighboring towns.

In response to the shooting, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the country's president and its army to "stop killing" peaceful protesters. Former vice president and presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said that the U.S. is standing with the Nigerians and their call for police reform and the end of corruption within their government.