The Nigerian military has reacted to reports of an alleged indictment of the armed forces by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality and shootings at Lekki Tollgate during the #EndSARS protests, in its recently submitted final report.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor faulted the release of the report saying that it was released through the wrong channel. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, He further urged Nigerians to continue to trust the military in spite of reports, adding that the Armed Forces are not the police but are only called upon when the need arises.
Why it matters
The Judicial Panel probing allegations of police brutality in Lagos State as well as the shootings at Lekki Tollgate during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020, in a brief ceremony, submitted its findings to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State. The events of October 20, 2020, as is well known, led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces and everyone is looking forward to the Lagos State and Federal Governments taking suitable measures to address these allegations. Given the Military’s stand on the indictment, proof of their involvement in the #Lekkimassacre is yet to be concluded.