Nigerian Army has berated Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his team for not saying the truth about the invasion of Lekki Toll Gate by soldiers on October 20 to disperse #EndSARS protesters.
The Army, in a statement by its Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, Headquarters 81 Division, Osoba Olaniyi, said the decision to call in the military was taken by the Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government after a 24-hour curfew was imposed.
“From the onset of the #EndSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army Lagos were involved. However, the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government (LASG) 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 LASG 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,” the statement explained.
On the allegation of massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, the statement said: “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.”
The Army reiterated that in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, it did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
“This allegation is the hand work 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,” the statement said.
Idowu Sowunmi
