Why we won’t speak on ‘Lekki killings’ now — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, told Nigerians to be patient and wait for the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the Tuesday’s alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki, Lagos.

Responding to questions about the involvement of soldiers in the incident during a briefing in Abuja, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said his comment may prejudice the findings of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Governor.

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“The issue is not an operation that I can respond to, but I can tell you that it is an allegation, for now; so let us not set the cart before the horse.

“If the matter was still open-ended, I would have had a response for you but it is no longer open-ended, because immediately, not even up to five hours before midnight, the Governor of Lagos set up an inquiry.

“So, whatever we say now will not be fair to the commission,” he said.

Enenche described the reports on the killing of the protesters by the soldiers as mere allegations, adding that some military analysts had dismissed as untrue, claims that the troops were responsible for the killings.

He explained that the military was involved in internal security operations codenamed, ‘Operation MESA,’ in nine states, but declined to disclose further details on the joint security task force.

Soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesters in Lekki on Tuesday night.

There are claims that many people were killed even as many more sustained different degrees on injuries.

Prominent members of the society, including Senators and House of Representatives members, have condemned the act, calling immediate probe and prosecution of those involved.