In light of the Lekki shooting that makes a week, today, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos, has revealed that its troops were invited by the Lagos State Government to enforce the curfew imposed on the state.
It said the troops were requested to restore law and order 24 hours after the curfew was declared.
The army, however, insisted that the soldiers did not shoot at the #EndSARS protesters, adding that the personnel acted within “the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations.”
This revelation was contained in a statement on Tuesday titled, ‘Press release on alleged massacre of protesters at Lekki toll gate,’ signed by the acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, Maj. Osoba Olaniyi.
The army had been under fire for shooting some #EndSARS protesters and taking their dead bodies away.
Earlier on Monday, the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had told Becky Anderson of the CNN that the military were at the shooting site and promised that those whose who shot would be held accountable
Olaniyi stated, “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.
“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.
“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 for Internal Security operations.”