The Nigerian Army, on Saturday, November 14, expressed its displeasure over the denial of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that it did not invite the military during the #EndSARS protests.
This incident involving the #EndSARS protesters was disclosed by the Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, in his testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the Lekki incident.
However, Taiwo noted that inviting the military was the best decision the Lagos governor could have taken as the #EndSARS protest plunged the state into anarchy.
He also added that the Army was also unhappy that Sanwo-Olu said two persons died from the military engagement at the Lekki tollgate.
He said; “I spoke with the governor and said the Army was unhappy that he said he did not ask for Army’s intervention but I am sure that after you watched everything (video footages), you saw he had more than enough grounds to ask for Army’s intervention; perhaps it was the way everything went.”
This submission comes in the aftermath of a statement credited to the Nigerian Army that it is yet to receive any official petition over its alleged shootings at the Lekki toll gate during the #EndSars protests.
This was made known by the counsel for the Nigerian Army, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde when he appeared today before the Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.
Army unaware of change in curfew time
Furthermore, Taiwo said, “Due to the urgency of the situation, it is no wonder the governor declared a 24-hour curfew which was supposed to start by 4pm.
“Analysing that further, it shows that the situation was so dire and the governor wanted everyone off the streets.
“After some observations, this timing was shifted to 2100hrs, that is 9pm.
“However, these timings were not communicated to the Nigerian Army.
“Be that as it may, the Nigerian Army deployed immediately to forestall further break down of law and order.”
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