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On March 8, 2023, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu repeated that he did not give the order for the infamous Lekki shooting in October 2020.
On October 20, 2020, around 6:50 p.m. Nigerian Army soldiers opened fire on unarmed protestors taking part in the EndSARS campaign at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State. At least 12 (confirmed) innocent bystanders were killed in the horrifying incident, while numerous others sustained serious injuries.
Brigadier-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo of the 81 Division Intelligence Brigade alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu requested military support on October 20 as a result of the intensification of the #EndSARS crisis during the Lagos Judicial Panel hearing in November 2020.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, asserted that he has no authority over either the Nigerian Army or the police in an interview with Arise Television.
“Young people, please don’t put things in your head that this is the only way and that’s what has happened. No. just for one second, drop it, and play it back.
“It wasn’t a flash incident. It was an incident that has piled up for three weeks.
“I didn’t have control; I don’t control the police and army. We have been on the conversation. Just to create state police, we have been on it for four years." He said.
“I went to all the hospitals; I went out at 12 midnight that day, and I saw things for myself, and I reported what I saw 8 o clock the following morning (October 21, 2020). At 10 o'clock, things could have changed, but I reported what I saw, and I would not deny what I didn’t see to what people want me to say.
“And I want to speak to the youths, and say that indeed, I am a father, I’m a leader, I’m a man that truly understands the pain that parents bear. The challenge that you have as a young person, I have been in the situation. At 25, I had a small company that crashed at 26. I’ve lost money before, I understand what it is for a young person to be out there, sweating yourself out and not being able to meet up. So, I would be the least person that would mess them (the youths) up.”
