CNN on Thursday reacted to a threat by Nigerian government to sanction it for investigating and reporting the shooting of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20 by Nigerian soldiers.

The American TV in an exclusive story on Wednesday affirmed reports that Nigerian soldiers opened fire and killed protester at Lekki Toll Gate, countering propaganda sponsored by Nigerian government to cover the incident.

Nigerian information minister Lai Mohammed described the CNN report as misinformation, threatening that CNN should be sanctioned in a press briefing on Thursday.

However, CNN said it stands by its story.

“Our reporting was carefully and meticulously researched, and we stand by it,” CNN said. “The report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN.”

Before the CNN report, Peoples Gazette reported how Police in Lagos rejected nine bodies from Nigerian soldiers.

The International Criminal Court had also commenced a preliminary investigation into the role of Nigerian Army and Buhari government officials in the October 20 Lekki shootings.

The UK Parliament has also scheduled November 23 to debate a petition seeking urgent sanctions against Buhari administration officials for their role in the carnage, which has continued to grip the country one month later.