The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has absolved the Nigerian military of blame over the Lekki massacre on October 20, 2020.
Irabor spoke to reporters on Tuesday in Edo while reacting to the report of Lagos Judicial panel on victims of SARS abuses and other related matters.
The CDS visited Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin as well as military formations in the state.
Irabor said only the white paper that would be generated from the findings could confirm the contents of the report.
He stated that the armed forces is conducting operations across the country, including battles against criminals in Edo forests and waterways, and should not be compared to police.
The General complained about the release of the report “through a wrong channel (social media)”, adding that the military will fully speak when the technical paper is out.
He said officers and men are committed to constitutional mandates and as such, Nigerians should stop making disparaging remarks regarding the personnel.
“Until I see the full report, I may not be able to say much. But I can assure you that the armed forces of Nigeria are well disciplined and we do not engage in any ignoble acts.
“If Nigerians don’t trust us then we wouldn’t have been doing what we are doing and in any case, it is the armed forces of Nigeria.
“We are not talking about the police, we are talking about the armed forces with emphasis – armed forces, When the armed forces are called out, it is because there is a need.
“We need to understand that the armed forces is there to keep the peace and provide the ambience that will enable every Nigerian to live up to their desires in harmony.”
