. We’ll never operate outside the rules of engagement—Buratai
Cable News Network, CNN an American television outlet on Wednesday released its findings from an independent investigation carried out on the October 20 shooting incident at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
According to the footage released by CNN and monitored in Lagos, showed that soldiers shot at the #EndSARS protesters who had gathered at the tollgate to press home their demands for the scrapping of Special Anti -Robbery Squad, SARS as well as police brutality.
CNN also tracked the bullets shells seen at the scene of the massacre which showed that they were purchased by the Federal Government from Serbia in 2005.
The global cable network in its investigation spoke with a man, Elisha Sunday, whose brother, Victor, was allegedly killed during the October 20th shootings amid Federal Government’s claims of ”No casualties.”
Following the development, Nigerians took to social media to attack the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration over their inability to fully sanction the culprits behind the killing.
While some applauded the international media house for carrying out a detailed investigation of the incident and making revelations, others mocked the Federal Government and the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission saying they have no powers to sanction CNN over its detailed investigation.
@Neferitti,” NBC slammed N3m on ARISE TV, for showing that same #LekkiMassaccre video, CNN has now analyzed. CNN confirmed the live rounds fired at peaceful protesters at End SARS Lekki Tollgate, were purchased from Serbia. Remember the Army claimed they only fired blank bullets in the air.”
@Ayothefirst,” The CNN documentary of the #LekkiMassaccre will make you angry at the government and Nigerian Army all over again.We expect them to dispute this and label it fake news as usual. Don’t forget anything the government labels “fake news” is the undiluted truth.”
@WaleAdetona,” If you watch that CNN video, you’ll be amazed at how they were able to track the bullets to the Nigerian Army firearms purchase from Serbia.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has maintained that the Nigerian Army was professional in its conduct.
Buratai made the remark in response to a report by CNN on the shooting of End SARS protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos State.
Recall that soldiers deployed to Lekki toll gate were accused of shooting and killing End SARS protesters at Lekki toll gate.
But, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army had denied killing protesters at Lekki toll gate.
Reacting to the report, Buratai said the Nigerian Army will never operate outside the rules of engagement.
He spoke while receiving members of the House of Representatives committee on Army at the Army headquarters on Wednesday.
According to Buratai: “Let me assure you and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army is a professional Army. We follow our rules of engagement. Nigerians should feel safe.
“We abide by rules of engagement and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
