Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says it is likely that hoodlums wearing military fatigues — and not soldiers — shot #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos state.
About two weeks ago, protests calling for the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) took flight across the country.
The police unit was disbanded but the protests persisted as citizens demanded reforms in the force.
Protesters converged on the tollgate for 13 days before they were forcefully dispersed by soldiers.
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There are reports that some of the protesters were killed by the soldiers who stormed the tollgate on October 20, 2020, but there are disparities in the number of casualties and no clear evidence has been produced.
According to Reuters, Malami told journalists on Monday in Abuja that investigation is underway to ascertain what truly happened at the Lekki tollgate.
Malami said it was “pre-emptive” to conclude that there had even been shootings, adding that “hoodlums” may have been hired to create a scene.
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“You cannot rule out the possibility of perhaps hoodlums that set in to create a scene… could equally partake in the process,” the AGF reportedly said.
The Lekki tollgate incident had sparked off outrage across the country.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, blamed the incident on “forces beyond my direct control”.
But Osoba Olaniyi, acting director, army public relations, said the Lagos government invited the army to restore order.
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However, he denied that soldiers shot protesters, describing reports on the attack by the military as fake.
The army also said it will not disclose the identity of its men sent to Lekki tollgate on October 20.
The judicial panel set up by the Lagos state government to probe alleged brutality by the disbanded SARS has already commenced sitting.
The panel visited the Lekki tollgate last Friday.
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8 comments
Why can’t people in this government be reasonable for once? This denial game will complicate things for them. They will certainly reap the bitter harvest if their evils. Time is ticking.
This does not add up—-why is the AG spinning the fake soldiers story when the military command has admitted they were invited by the Lagos state government? This is turning into a Nollywood tragic comedy!
please ask him again I thought his supposed to be learnerd
This comment by the so called chief law officer of the country is most appalling and least expected.
One can safely conclude that all appointees of this government took oath to tell Nigerians lies, Lai Mohammed, Femi Adeshina and now Malami.
Nigeria is indeed is in trouble.
No one espects an atoney general of a country to sound fake and dumb. Mr Malami, you sounded incapable and incompetent for your office,
Comment of Mallami is most incoherent.
If you are quoted as saying it is premptive to say there were shooting by the military, then what killed the young people whose corpses were lacerated with bullet wound?
Worsening your incoherence again, you now try to work on a theory to shift peoples’focus away from the soldiers by saying those who were seen in the army uniform may have been hoodlums and not real soldier, then the question that knocks off your first point is to let us know what the hoodlums came to do with the guns in their hand.
Also, tell us when is it that hoodlums operate in an organised manner to take command before striking. Let us adjure in truth, as it is only the truth that can help us develop the nation, and retribution awaits every untruthful manipulation allowed to help a corrupt system or a group of people.
hoodlums from Bonny camp
Even before the judicial panel would start and conclude their findings, Mr malami, the Attorney General of the federation has given his verdict?
Only in the captured Nigeria of buhari and his nepotic cabal can that happen!
No wonder First Lady Aisha buhari was asking the other time, “where are the men in Nigeria” for allowing the cabal run the presidency with such impunity as has never been witnessed before, except during military rule under the despotic Abachas
Mr malami must be reminded that we are not in the Abacha’s era, and so should not be making statements that embarrass Nigeria among the comity of Nations.