By Shakirudeen Bankole
A shocking revelation has come to the fore from the Nigerian Army on who ordered a unit of its battalion to attack peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate last Tuesday.
On the 12th day of the anti-police brutality protest, otherwise known as #EndSARS protest, Army reportedly clamped down on peaceful and unarmed young protesters with excessive force, which led to unconfirmed number of fatalities.
While the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has distanced himself from the development, the Army Headquarters, has also denied being involved in the killing of innocent Nigerians at the location.
Sanwo-olu recently fingered the Nigerian Army in the shooting incident while speaking on CNN, absolving himself of any blame.
But in a statement from the Nigerian Army 81 Division, the unit alleged to have carried out the onslaught, contrary to his earlier denial, said Sanwo-Olu, ordered them into town.
The statement, signed on behalf of the Formation by the Acting Deputy Director 81 Division Army Public Relations, Major Osoba Olaniyi, however, claimed its personnel followed the rules of engagaments following the invitation by the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, after the protests turned violent, with the challenge of enforcing the curfew declared by the Governor in the face of citizens rebellion, the unit was invite to restore normalcy.
The statement further said that the Army in the discharge of its duty did not shoot at any civilians. It described the allegations of shootings as the handiwork of mischief makers.
The statement with the Ref. Number 81 Div/APR/G6/230/5 dated October 27, 2020 read: The statement read: “The attention of headquarters 81 Division of the 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 the 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 was involved.
“However , the decision to call in the Military was taken by the Lagos State Government after a 24-hour curfew was imposed.
“This was as a result of the violence which led to several police stations being burnt, policemen killed, suspects in police custody released and weapons carted away.
“The situation was fast degenerating into anarchy. It was at this point that Lagos State Government requested for the Military to intervene, in order to restore normalcy.
“The intervention of the Military followed all laid down procedures for internal security operations. And all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement , ROE for internal security operations.
“Finally, headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army reiterates that the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
“This allegation is the handwork of mischief makers who will stop at nothing to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army.
”The general public is hereby enjoined to discountenance this allegation , as there is no iota of truth therein”.
Meanwhile, the issue has inflamed the social media, especially Twitter, with many saying the latest revelation was a validation of their skepticism over the Governor’s sincerity in his copious explanations on the Lekki shootings.
Olawale Victor, one of the #EndSARS protesters, couldn’t hide his amazement, when he said, “wow! Uncle (Governor) :jide has a case to answer with ICC Hague…. They are trying to protect Their Grand commander.”
Another Nigerians, with Twitter handle, Ade Adedejo, said “invitation is normal,” asking” Who ordered the shooting?
“Do you take orders from state governors now?,” He asked the Army.
Ubong Edison accused the Governor of “murdering his own people, simply to please Abuja,”
Bash Kanabe said “The blood of the innocent shall hurt you all until you uncover the whole truth by yourselves.”
- More Comments:
One simple way to get Sanwo-Olu to answer to his role in the #LekkiMassacre is for survivors to file petitions to the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry. A simple petition will do: state the facts and name Sanwo-Olu as one of the violators of your right.
— Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) October 28, 2020
As the muddy water becomes clearer & confessions begin to come in, its now clear according to @HQNigerianArmy they went to the tollgate at the invitation of @jidesanwoolu. Why did @jidesanwoolu feel the need to invite to army to the tollgate when the protesters posed no threat?
— Jovi Usude (@EJovi1025) October 27, 2020
How the Nigerian Army went from “We were never at the #LekkiMassacre Scene” to “It was a photoshopped video” to “Lagos state government invited us to intervene in the #EndSars protests” is an attestation to the fact that Accountability is a scarce commodity in Nigeria.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) October 28, 2020
