The Nigerian Army, has on Saturday, admitted to being present on the night of the ordered shooting of peaceful EndSARS protesters, at Lekki toll gate, on October 20, in Lagos,
The Army Representative, Brigadier-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, admitted this at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and other matters.
He told the Panel that the Military was invited to the restore law and order in Lagos, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after the EndSARS protest was taken over by thugs.
He stated that since the Governor had no authority to order the Military to intervene in the democratic protest, the order had to be obtained from the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai.
He however, failed to mention the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, who alone should have the authority to deploy the Military in such situations, leaving many to believe that the COAS acted without the approval of the President, on the said night.
He insisted that despite the Military interference to bring normalcy to the State, no live bullet or unreasonable force was used on the protesters, even after confirming that the protesters had pelted stones and bottles at the Soldiers on ground, at Lekki toll gate, on the tragic night.
More news later…
