The Nigerian army has admitted that its soldiers were deployed at Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, where live broadcasts were fired last week, killing several peaceful protesters and leading to global outrage.
At least 10 protesters were killed in the shooting at Lekki Plaza on October 20, according to Amnesty International.
The army had claimed that its troops were not at the scene of the shooting, but on Tuesday night a military spokesman, May Osoba Olaniyi, reversed that position, saying that soldiers had been deployed there to carry out a curfew. however, he denied that the troops fired on the protesters.
“At no point did soldiers from the Nigerian army open fire on any civilian,” Olaniyi said in a statement.
The military’s recognition of its presence at the square came after Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said security camera footage showed Nigerian soldiers at Lekki Plaza and fired at the peaceful protesters.
Olaniyi said soldiers were sent out on orders from the Lagos state government, but the governor has said the state has no authority over the national army. Many Nigerians question why the soldiers were deployed during the peaceful protest, where thousands had gathered at the square. A judicial panel began investigating the shooting on Tuesday.
The panel is also investigating allegations of abuse against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS. A widespread #EndSARS campaign erupted in Nigeria in early October after a video circulated showing a man being beaten, apparently by SARS officers.
The peaceful, well-organized protests disrupted traffic in Lagos and many other Nigerian cities. President Muhammadu Buhari’s government agreed to dissolve the SARS unit, but protests continued with the participants demanding comprehensive police reforms and anti-corruption measures.
The protesters were largely peaceful, but several were killed, according to Amnesty International, which accused the authorities of using unnecessary force.
On October 20, the government imposed a curfew and ordered everyone to stay at home, and that evening the shootings occurred at Lekki Square. The two days after the incident saw extensive riots in Lagos.
