A week ago, Nigerians witnessed protesters getting shot by some security operatives at the Lekki tollgate. The incident, the tragic peak of the #EndSARS protest, rocked the nation for days. Video footage and photos showed how the operatives appearing in army uniforms opened fire at protesters who faulted the curfew imposed by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 

However, one of the most surprising thing from the aftermath of the Lekki shooting is the recurring denial by political actors and the Nigerian army. Sanwo-Olu, following the incident, reported that no lives were lost. The army branded media reports as fake news and the president, in his speech, totally ignored the incident and focused his attention on other incidents from the protest.

Where these politicians and the military have constantly denied the incident and tried to gaslight Nigerians, Nigerians have always had one question for them – Who ordered the shooting?

In a statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, has admitted that the military operatives were present at the location. He, however, stated that some people were trying to discredit the military and Nigerian Government.  Essentially, Sagir stated that the Nigerian Army officers present in the video were simply ensuring compliance with the curfew put in place in Lagos State.

Be Aware!!! pic.twitter.com/pby5mHqmX1

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) October 20, 2020

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the other hand, has ‘entertained’ Nigerians with a series of contradictory statements and whitewashed speeches since the incident which further points towards a coverup. In a recent interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, the governor finally admitted that it was the Nigerian military who shot at protesters. However, he stated that this conclusion was based on the video evidence on social media. The same evidence that many used to back up multiple deaths, which he denied earlier.

Here's the full video of Sanwo-Olu & Becky Anderson of CNN… retweet.#EndBadGovernmentinNIGERIA #FasholaCamChallenge #TuesdayMotivation #endinjustice #EndSARS #EndSWATNow #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeraNOW #desmondelliot #cnn #sanwoolu pic.twitter.com/hAQdnfGj0g

— FriendsImpact (@FriendsImpact) October 27, 2020

For these political actors and the army, it has been a case of walking on eggshells since the Lekki shooting took place. It is either they are avoiding the questions or playing around the question with shallow answers.

It has been over a week, and clearly, the attempts to gaslight Nigerians seem to have failed. The poorly put together thread of stories is falling apart right before our eyes. Nigerians were insistent on what they saw, and have continued to ask who ordered the shooting. Who ordered the Lekki Massacre?

Michael Isaac

Michael is a dynamic writer who is still exploring the nuances of life and being human. When I’m not writing, I’m out with friends or spending nice time alone watching movies or TV Shows.
Michael is available on Twitter and Instagram @TheMichaelFaya