The Federal Government has insisted that the military men did not shoot at #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, describing the alleged mass killings as a massacre without bodies.
This follows a recent investigative report by US-based media, Cable News Network (CNN), in which they published a video, allegedly showing Nigerian soldiers shooting at unarmed protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, based on video evidence from mobile phones of witnesses.
READ: ICPC moves against NDDC top management over corruption allegations, quizzes directors
According to a report by Channels Television, this was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at a press conference in Abuja.
The CNN said that contrary to the submission by the army that blank bullets were fired at the protesters, their investigative report revealed that live were fired directly at the protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
READ: #EndSARS: CCTV footage from day of Lekki shootings played at Judicial Panel
While referring to the CNN report as promoting a baseless and preconceived narrative, Mohammed said that the media organization relied on social media video evidence without verification
The minister criticized CNN’s report on the Lekki incident describing it as blatantly irresponsible.
READ: FAAN denies allegation of stolen N750 million, admits breach of procurement process
He said that the mainstream media should confirm the veracity of footage used before airing and also pointed out that the government will work with stakeholders to curb fake news on social media.
Going further, Mohammed said that those who were saying that there was an alleged massacre at the Tollgate only succeeded in misleading the world. He said anyone that has a contrary proof that the army shot at protesters or there was a massacre at Lekki Tollgate, should make them available to the panel investigating the matter.
Why won’t he consider it a lie? And how on earth will a man of almost 70 be minister of information when his thinking is still in 19th century…. Until this reaches their individual abode they won’t know how it feels..
You threaten protesters, prosecute activists, freeze bank accounts, confiscate passports and then you have the guts to say “where are the bodies”? You have killed our youths and now you want other youths to be persecuted if they talk. Mr Lie Mohammed, you are a shame and you bring disgrace to our country.
If no live bullets where fired, how did bullet casings of live bullets in great number enter the hands of protestors? Any Google search will show you the very evident difference between live and blank bullet casings. There is zero margin of error.
How did protestors end up with bullet holes in their bodies? You and this government are criminals and a disgrace! This impunity and insult to our intelligence must stop. The orders for this military operation should be viewed as they were issued by the Commander-in-Chief. The officer in command court martialed, dismissed from the Nigerian Army and jailed. Civilian string pullers, such as unscrupulous politicians, who were involved in this massacre should be prosecuted and jailed.
PMB should apologize for this black day in our history – the day our Army opened fire on unarmed, peaceful youths singing our National Anthem – and resign. Interestingly enough, in far-away Peru, in South America, the President last week resigned after his security forces opened fire on protesters causing the death of 2 (!) civilians.
Mr Lie Mohammed, we live in 2020, not 1983. You cannot make these pronouncements in the face of scientific evidence and try to absolve criminals and this failing government of their responsibility in outright murder.
God is watching and your time too will come. Do your part to bring justice to our country and change the narrative before it is too late.
Well stated. Well said.