The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos state has said that its personnel in the #EndSARS protest involvement was based on a request by the Lagos State Government after a 24-hour curfew was imposed in the state.
The division also denied shooting at the protesters in the state.
In a statement signed by Osoba Olaniyi, a Major and the acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, the army stated that in reaction to the public outcry that followed the Lekki shooting said the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government after a 24 hours’ curfew was imposed.
It further stated that claims that soldiers shot at #EndSARS protesters were untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country, adding that soldiers acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations.
“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,” Olaniyi 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.”
He argued that 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 after a 24 hours curfew was imposed.”
Olaniyi added that the request to the Army to restore normalcy 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 for Internal Security operations.”
The 81 Division reiterated that its men never shot at civilians while discharging their duties, noting that there were glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
The Army statement is coming one week after several calls from within and outside the country for a thorough investigation into what happened at the Lekki Tollgate.
Amnesty International, the human rights advocacy group, has said that at least 12 people were killed on Tuesday at both Alausa and Lekki toll gate.
However, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has continued to insist on two death from the shooting.
In the same vein, the Army had continued to deny and insisted that it was not present at Lekki during the shooting, stating that the reports were fake despite multiple evidences.
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