Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has said that “hoodlums” wearing military uniforms may have shot EndSARS protesters campaigning against police brutality at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State.
KanyiDaily had reported how Nigerian Soldiers opened fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate, killing nine people and injuring so many others on Tuesday night, October 21, 2020.
Following the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu blamed “forces beyond his control” for the attack, while insisting that he had no authority over military engagements.
Initially, the Nigerian Army denied deploying soldiers to the shooting scene at Lekki, adding that videos showing soldiers opening fire on the protesters were untrue as it was photoshopped.
However, the Army Chief, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai admitted that Nigerian soldiers were deployed to Lekki, noting that the officers were only ensuring compliance with a curfew put in place by Sanwo-Olu, earlier that day during the #EndSARS protest.
During an interview with CNN, Governor Sanwo-Olu pointed accusing fingers at the Nigerian Army for being responsible for the shooting of protesters at Lekki toll gate.
After initial denial, the Army finally admitted that its operatives were deployed to Lekki toll gate on that Tuesday night, but that the troops never opened fire on the protesters.
But while speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, Malami said it was too soon to tell if soldiers were involved as investigation is underway to ascertain what truly happened at the Lekki tollgate.
TheCable quotes Malami as saying that it is “pre-emptive” to conclude that there had even been shootings, adding that “hoodlums” may have been hired to create a scene.
“You cannot rule out the possibility of perhaps hoodlums that set in to create a scene… could equally partake in the process,” the AGF was quoted as saying, suggesting that hoodlums adorned military uniforms on the night.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has revealed why the families of #EndSARS protesters killed by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate are afraid to speak out.
