The Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the roles played by the military, police, and other security agencies during the #EndSARS protests.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this at a televised press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He lamented that six soldiers and 37 policemen were killed during the “#EndSARS crisis”, claiming that soldiers killed no protester at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos on October 20.
Though there were reports that some protesters were killed and injured, the minister said the soldiers were professional.
He also said reports indicating that protesters were killed relied on unverified facts from social media.
The minister argued that soldiers and policemen “deserve commendation not condemnation” unless people would say “their lives do not matter”.
He also described as demoralising reports stating that protesters were killed without stating attacks on security operatives and infrastructure by hoodlums.
He said, “We insist that the military did not shoot at the protesters at Lekki. They fired blank ammunition into the air. Anyone who knows anyone who was killed at Lekki toll gate should go straight to the judicial panel with evidence.
“At this point, it is important to say that the Federal Government is very satisfied with roles played by the security agencies, especially the military, and the police all through the EndSARS crisis. They were professional. Even when their lives were at stake, they exercised uncommon restraints. Their professionalism saved many lives and properties.”
