There was massacre at the Lekki Toll gate – Lagos ENDSARS panel

The Lagos state Judicial panel on restitution for SARS victim and other matters has reported the Lekki Tollgate shootings on the 20th October 2020 as a massacre.

The Panel implicated Soldiers and Nigeria security in the killings and forced disappearance of harmless and unarmed youths who were protesting at Lekki Tollgate on 20th October 2020.

The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel made revelations in a report submitted to the Lagos state Governor, Sanwo-Olu.

According to the report, nine protesters were confirmed dead, four presumed dead. The report listed 48names of those who were casualties of the Lekki incident. Among the 48 casualties, 24 sustained gunshot injuries and 15 others were assaulted by Soldiers and Police.

The Panel also found out that the conduct of the Nigerian Army was exacerbated by the refusal of ambulance to assist wounded victims.

At the Lekki Toll gate, officers of the Nigerian Army, injured, killed and brutalized harmless and helpless protesters who were waving the Nigerian flag and singing the Nigerian anthem.

The Panel found out that the Nigerian Police deployed its officers on the night of 20th October 2021 and between that night and morning of 21st October 2021.

Sheik Gumi’s video: The Nigerian Army issues warning to the popular Islamic scholar

The Nigerian Army has called on popular Islamic Scholar Sheik Ahmed Gumi to exercise caution in his opinion regarding how troops are deployed and other issues pertaining to national security.

The warning follows a video that had Sheik Gumi telling bandits that non-Muslim soldiers were the ones killing them and that troops are deployed along ethnic and religious lines.

A statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima titled NIGERIAN ARMY DOES NOT DEPLOY ITS TROOPS ALONG ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS LINES described Gumi’s utterances as capable of dragging the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.

It reads, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video-clip showing the renowned and respected Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits. In the video clip, the Islamic scholar was seen telling the bandits that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He further stated that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non-Muslims.

“While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the the respected Sheik Ahmed Gumi, it is however important to restate that the Nigerian Army as national institution does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.

“Therefore Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants are please enjoined to exercise restraint not to drag the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.

“The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continually defended the territorial integrity of this great nation. Comments suggesting to mudslide the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army are not only inimical but tended towards creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.

“Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army were done in strict adherence to rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception. It is therefore, disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to disparage the Nigeria Army to portray it in bad light.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to seize this opportunity to advise opinion leaders to be more courteous while expressing their views, taking into cognisance the imperative for national security, particularly at this difficult times when our gallant troops have redoubled their efforts to tackle the myriads of security challenges facing our dear nation. What our troops need now is public support to discharge their responsibility effectively and in the most professional manner.”