#EndSARS: We’re unhappy Sanwo-Olu denied inviting Army, General tells panel

•Army denies being after DJ Switch

THE Nigerian Army has expressed its displeasure at the reaction of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to the presence of their men at Lekki tollgate last month and his admittance that two persons died as a result of their intervention.

The Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, said the Nigerian Army was unhappy that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, denied inviting the military on October 20, 2020,
Taiwo revealed this on Saturday in his testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the Lekki incident.

The general, however, said inviting the military was the best decision the Lagos governor could have made as the #EndSARS protest plunged the state into anarchy.

He said, “I spoke with the governor and said the Army was unhappy that he said he did not ask for Army’s intervention but I am sure that after you watched everything (video footages), you saw he had more than enough grounds to ask for Army’s intervention; perhaps it was the way everything went.”

Naija Times had earlier reported that the Lagos governor denied inviting the military to disperse protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, adding that forces beyond his control were responsible for the Lekki incident.

But the Army Headquarters subsequently said in a statement that its men were at the protest ground at the instance of Lagos State government adding, however, that the soldiers acted within the rules of engagement.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has also debunked the claims in the public, that it is after popular disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, fondly referred to as DJ Switch.

The general said, “Some people take delight in misrepresenting Nigeria and particularly the Nigerian Army to the international community and our fellow Nigerians. This, I believe is done for pecuniary gains.

“Quite recently, a Nigerian, Catherine Udeh, also known as DJ Switch, claimed the Nigerian Army was looking for her. There is nothing further than the truth.

“My Lord, we have bigger fish to fry; and that is how to stabilise Lagos. We can’t be bothered chasing one or two people. Where she got that from, I do not know.”

It was widely reported that DJ Switch claimed she helped to remove bullets from peaceful protesters who were shot at Lekki tollgate, according to her Instagram Live feed.

There have also been reports that the disc jockey sought asylum outside the country after she claimed that her life was being threatened following the Lekki incident.