Military Is Displeased With The Lekki Massacre Report 

General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, is dissatisfied with how the report of the massacre of peaceful #EndSARS protesters was leaked to the general public.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

On October 20, 2020, security forces attacked protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos in an aggressive attempt to dismantle the symbolic stronghold of historic anti-police brutality demonstrations.

Several people were killed in the attack, according to eyewitnesses, but the government has waged an aggressive counter-campaign, insisting that no one was killed by security agents.

On Monday, November 15, 2021, a judicial panel of inquiry established days after the shooting finally submitted its report, confirming the claims of eyewitnesses that a massacre had occurred.

On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Irabor told journalists in Benin City, Edo State, that he won’t comment on the report until a white paper is presented.

He claimed it was released through the “wrong channel” and that it should have been treated by a convening authority first before being made public.

Soldiers were fully indicted for the massacre of peaceful protesters, and the report recommended that the perpetrators be punished.

Irabor, on the other hand, insisted that the Armed Forces are professional and dedicated to their constitutional mandate.

He said, “It would not be right to disparage men and women who have worked so hard to ensure that the territorial integrity of this nation is kept intact.

“So in the meantime, until I see the full extent of the report, I can assure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are well-disciplined and we do not engage in any ignoble acts.”

At least nine protesters were killed, according to the judicial panel, with four others missing and presumed dead.

Hundreds more were injured, first by the soldiers and then by police officers who tried to hide their involvement.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has formed a four-member panel to examine the report of the judicial panel and issue a white paper within two weeks.

The panel will be chaired by Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, with members including Segun Dawodu, Commissioner for Youths and Social Development; Aramide Adeyoye, Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure; and Tolani Oshodi, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office.