#LekkiMassacre: Buratai gave orders to deploy soldiers: Army General
![The Lagos panel of inquiry on #EndSARS. [CREDIT: Bella Naija]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Lagos-panel-of-enquiry.jpg)
Ahmed Taiwo, a Nigerian Army brigadier-general, has told the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry, Chief Of Army Staff Tukur Buratai gave orders to deploy soldiers against protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.
Mr. Taiwo said the order was issued at about 3:00 p.m. on October 20.
Mr. Taiwo also said to the panel that soldiers were given both live and blank bullets, before alert level Phase 4 was activated.
The military chief said Phase 4 is a directive enforced when police on the ground are overwhelmed and soldiers are needed to interfere.
He told the panel that it was activated due to reports of the protests being hijacked by hoodlums, saying it was also why live rounds were fired.
When asked if rules of engagement were followed, Mr. Taiwo said that no rules were used as the soldiers were under attack, contradicting the military headquarters narrative.
Mr. Buratai had previously insisted that the Nigerian Army acted professionally and kept to the rules of engagement in the handling the #ENDSARS protesters.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Lagos
Lagos: Obi’s NDC town hall attackers nabbed, hospitalised, police say
The command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, told Peoples Gazette on Friday that the roles of both injured patients in the attack were under investigation.
Lagos
Nigerian driver caught trying to sell boss’ N45 million SUV in Cotonou for N10 million: Police
The police command in Ogun says it arrested a driver, Jeremiah Emmanuel, for stealing his employer’s ₦45 million Lexus 460 SUV.
States
Gov Lawal appoints 282 aides in Zamfara
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has approved the appointment of 282 individuals as senior special assistants to strengthen inclusive governance.
Economy
Computer society to honour tech innovators at merit awards
The Nigerian Computer Society says it will honour technology innovators and organisations driving digital transformation at its 2026 merit awards.
Abuja
Abuja residents reveal coping strategies as economic hardship hits mental health
“On top of that, my landlord just increased my rent from N500,000 to N1 million, so thoughts of how I am going to meet up keep consuming me,” said a resident.
States
Speaker Jatau urges Nigerians to preserve cultural heritage
The speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, urged Nigerians to protect, project, and preserve their cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.
