Army commander: Only Buhari can order deployment of soldiers

Ahmed Taiwo, an army commander, who testified before the Lagos judicial panel on Saturday, says only President Muhammadu Buhari can order the deployment of soldiers.

While being questioned by Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), counsel to the Lagos state government, the army general said Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, does not have the power to order the deployment of soldiers.

He explained that the governor would have to seek permission from the president before the soldiers can be deployed.

“I know the governor spoke to the chief of army staff to the president before the deployment of the army. The governor made a request for intervention,” he said.

Since the Lekki tollgate incident on October 20, 2020, where soldiers allegedly opened fire on peaceful protesters, there have been questions on who ordered the deployment of the troops.

One day after the incident, Sanwo-Olu attributed the incident to “forces beyond our direct control.”