EndSars

#EndSARS: Nigerian Army says no petition against it over Lekki Tollgate shootings

The Nigerian Army has appeared before the Lagos State Judicial Commission of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters over the October 20 Lekki Tollgate shooting of End SARS protesters.

Counsel to the Nigerian Army, Akinlolu Keyinde SAN, however, told the Panel that there is no single petition against his client over the reported shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

Testifying before the panel on behalf of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Hameed Ibrahim Taiwo who is the Commander, Military Intelligence Corps of 81 Division said the military acted in line with its rules of engagement when they were called out by Governor Babajide Sanwuolu on October 20 as hoodlums took over from the End SARS protesters to cause havoc, killing police officers, setting ablaze public infrastructure as well as private premises.

The Intelligence Commander explained that contrary to the information in some quarters, the military deployed its personnel throughout Lagos State to quell violence which erupted across the State when it became obvious that the police personnel could not control the killings and burning of property.

Brigadier-General Taiwo played video footages to buttress his point before the panel members who were still in session as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the panel earlier went on a short recess to enable members to deliberate on the submissions raised by Adeyinka Olumuyiwa SAN, who is representing some End SARS protesters. Olumuyiwa had raised objections to the terms of reference guiding the proceedings of the panel.

It would be recalled that the Panel had adjourned its sitting for several days after two representatives of the End SARS protesters withdrew in protests over the clampdown on their colleagues including blocking of their bank accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.