The Nigerian Army has denied the shooting of civilian protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki Toll Plaza on Tuesday, October 20.
According to a statement issued by Acting Deputy Director Public Relations of 81 Division, Major Osona Olaniyi, He said ; “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,”‘ he said.
“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.”
“All the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for internal security operations.
The Army reiterated that it did not shoot at any civilian. “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, Nigerians has reacted to the statement released by the 81 Division of the Nigerian army.
See some of the reactions;
20/10/20: Young people at Lekki shot and massacred like chickens by soldiers. WHO DID IT?
Sanwo Olu: “Footage looks like military” “It’s the military” “Forces beyond our control”
Nigerian Army: “We didn’t just come. Lagos State invited us ooo”
This case don turn Woro si Woro.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ???????????????????? (@DrOlufunmilayo) October 27, 2020
The Nigerian Army has now officially confirmed Lagos State Govt invited them to handle the #EndSARS situation.
They deny shooting civilians.
But they admit they were there as invited by SanwoOlu.Can Governor @jidesanwoolu tell us all what he knows about this confusing issue?
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ???????????????????? (@DrOlufunmilayo) October 27, 2020
Nigerian Army: FAKE NEWS!!!????????????
Sanwaolu: The army was there.
Nigerian Army: But you sent us ????????????
— Sansa Stark (@_Oroboghene) October 27, 2020
Sanwo Olu said “whoever ordered the Army to shoot at peaceful Protesters will be brought to book on CNN.
Nigerian Army just admitted the Lagos State Government ordered them to Shoot at Protesters.
When are we arresting Sanwo Olu? ABI we should tag that CNN journalist? #EndSARS
— #ENDSARS (@Nsukka_okpa) October 27, 2020
The @HQNigerianArmy claim it was the LASG that asked for soldiers to be deployed at Lekki. The implications of this for @jidesanwoolu are grave. He has been thrown under the bus by the military.#EndSarsNow#LekkiMassacre#LekkiMassacre #LekkiMassaccre #LekkitollgateMassacre
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) October 27, 2020
The Nigerian Army has agreed they were at Lekki Toll Gate but to “ensure compliance of curfew”.
They’re feeling the heat. You know what this means?
A P P L Y P R E S S U R E!!#EndSARS #endinjustice
— ????????KARO’S EFFECT (@OsakaromenO) October 26, 2020
It’s funny how the Nigerian Army and Sanwo-Olu are playing hide and seek games with us & trying to play on our intelligence.
We won’t stop asking until we have definite answers on who ordered the killings of peaceful Lekki protesters and get justice for our fallen heroes.
— Progress Agboola (@progress_md) October 27, 2020
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