BREAKING: Lekki toll gate shootings: Sanwo-Olu invited soldiers to protest ground – Army

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) has stated that Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, invited soldiers to intervene during the End SARS protests in Lekki on October 20.

The Army said this was after a curfew was imposed by the state government to end the protest.

This, however, contracts claim of the governor that he didn’t know about soldiers’ movement to the Lekki toll gate.

In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations (ADPR), Major Osoba Olaniyi, the Division denied the shooting of EndSARS protesters.

Olaniyi wrote: “The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilian 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 (LASG) after a 24- hour 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.”