Lekki Shootings: Nigerian Army Testifies Before Lagos Judicial Panel

Nigerian Army has testified before Lagos Judicial Panel over shooting of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate during the peaceful EndSARS protests.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Army has testified on its involvement in the shooting and killing of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October 2020, while they also said that they have not received any formal petition over their reported shooting of peaceful End SARS protesters.

The counsel for the Nigerian Army, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), said this on Saturday when they appeared before the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuse ad Other Matters.

General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo of 81 Division Intelligence Brigade who also testified on behalf of the military, stated “I repeat, as at six minutes to 11am today, no petition has been served against the Nigerian Army, if any petition has been served, we will respond,” .

He claimed that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums and the military intervened to stop the killing of police officers as well as the looting and raping of citizens in the name of #EndSARS.

He, however, added that the killings happened all over Lagos excluding Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

Still testifying before the panel, General Taiwo said, “On 20th of October 2020, Lagos State descended into anarchy.

“Sanwo-Olu asked the army to intervene and that was the correct thing to do since the police had been overrun.”

Taiwo claimed that on arrival at Lekki Toll Gate, protesters were pelting stones at the army as he reinforced the point that the army used blank shots and only fired into the air.

The army representatives played videos of the incident before the Lekki incident as well as videos from the toll gate to back the position of the military.

Survivors had revealed that some protesters jumped into a river to escape the shooting by the military.

“I must submit today that there is no allegation whatsoever against the Nigerian Army before this panel.

“I urge your lordship to discountenance any proposal that the testimony of the Nigerian Army should not be allowed because of a proposed petition.

“Unfortunately, for reasons known to most of us, the Nigerian Army could not give their testimony when they were summoned on the last adjourned date. It is a very respectable organisation,” the Army Senior Officer concluded.