Hours after Governor Sanwo Olu exposed the Nigerian Army
for ordering the Lekki Toll Gate shooting, it has now responded by
insisting that the Lagos state government invited it to intervene in the
fallout of the End SARS protest.Recall that Sanwo-Olu had told CNN that the footage of the shooting showed that the Nigerian Army is responsible for the incident.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Army PRO,Osoba Olaniyi said
soldiers stayed away from the End SARS protests until the Lagos
government invited them to restore order. He said while restoring order,
soldiers did not shoot protesters, describing reports on the attack of
the protesters by the military as fake.
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army
has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged
that civilian protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki Toll
Plaza. This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy
in the country.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Army PRO,Osoba Olaniyi said
soldiers stayed away from the End SARS protests until the Lagos
government invited them to restore order. He said while restoring order,
soldiers did not shoot protesters, describing reports on the attack of
the protesters by the military as fake.
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army
has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged
that civilian 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.However, the decision to call in the military was
taken by the Lagos State Government (LASG) after a 24- hour curfew was
imposed.
Finally, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army reiterates 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 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.”
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