The Nigerian Army has said it was invited to enforce the curfew in Lagos by the state government and that the army did not shoot at protesters in Lekki, Lagos.
The army stated this, on Tuesday, in a statement by its 81 Division in Lagos, signed by its spokesperson,Osoba Olaniyi.
Youth and many others in various parts of the country and abroad, had expressed their displeasure last week after the army were alleged to have shot at peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos.
Mr Adeniyi while explaining the role played by the army at the Lekki toll gate, insisted that they acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations and also maintained that soldiers did not shoot at the #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
In the statement titled “Press release on alleged massacre of protesters at Lekki toll gate”, Mr Olaniyi described the allegations of soldiers shooting at protesters as untrue, adding that no soldier fired a shot at the protesters.
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilians protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki toll plaza. This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country. At no time, did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian. From the onset of the ENDSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division Nigerian Army Lagos, were involved”.
At least two people have died from the Lekki shooting and many others treated for gunshot wounds although Witnesses have said the casualty was much higher.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had earlier admitted that soldiers shot at the protesters while granting an interview with CNN on Monday.
He also said he did not invite soldiers or ask them to shoot at protesters and added that the CCTV footage of the incident would be available to the state judicial panel probing brutality of security operatives.
“We will be committed to a full investigation of what happened and people would be held accountable. They certainly would be held accountable. We would do everything possible to ensure that they are held accountable. People have claimed that their friends and family members have been killed. So, this Judicial Panel of Enquiry is meant to bring all of these stories to accountability; where we can make restitution, where families can prove and identify officers that were responsible for this. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; I am Governor of a State. The report would be out and we would channel the report to all the relevant authorities in the state to ensure that every one that is found culpable is accountable for the act”.
The Lekki shooting has been condemned by Nigerians and the international community who have called for investigation and demanded that culprits be punished.
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