The Nigerian Army 81 Division has come out to admit that it was actually involved in the opertaion that broke the ENDSARS protests.
It however was silent on whether its involvement was in connection with the Lekki shootings.
A statement signed on behalf of the Formation by the Acting Deputy Director 81 Division Army Public Relations, Major Osoba Olaniyi however claimed its personnel followed the rules of engagaments following the invitation by the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him after the protests turned violence the Governor declared a curfew and invited the Army to restore normalcy.
The statement said further that the Army in the disharge of its duty did not shoot at any civilians. It described the allegations of shootings as the handwork of mischief makers.
The statement Ref. Numbers are 81 Div/APR/G6/230/5 dated October 27, 2020 is below:
27 October 2020
PRESS RELEASE ALLEGED MASSACRE OF PROTESTER AT LEKKI TOLL PLAZA
The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilians 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 hours 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. The intervention of the military followed all laid down procedures for Internal Security operations and all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Internal Security operations.
Finally, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army reiterates that the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
This allegation is the hand work of mischief makers who will not stop at nothing to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army. The general public is hereby enjoined to discountenance this allegation as there is no iota of truth therein.
Osoba Olaniyi
Major
Acting Deputy Director
81 Division Army Public Relations
