The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos has said that its troops were invited to enforce the curfew imposed on the state by the Lagos State Government.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by the acting deputy director, 81 Division Army Public Relations Maj. Osoba Olaniyi.
The army denied that soldiers shot at the #EndSARS protesters, adding that the personnel acted within “the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations.”
“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,” the statement read.
“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 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 for Internal Security operations.”
The 81 Division further stated that its men never shot at civilians while discharging their duties, noting that there were “glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.”
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