The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has praised the Nigerian army for its intervention during #EndSARS protests despite sweeping criticisms of the latter for opening fire on unarmed protesters at Lekki Tollgate.

In October 2020, thousands of youth demonstrated across the country for days in protest against decades of police brutality and other human rights abuses by defunct police department tagged Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Mr Akinolu who hosted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Farouk Yahaya, at his palace on Tuesday, said although several Nigerians criticised the army for shooting protesters, he appreciated their efforts.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Army during the #EndSARS’ protest.

“Many people criticised them for coming out during the protest but it was good they came out when the police could no longer handle the situation,” he said.

The monarch’s comment is despite a report by the state Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality, which described the October 20, 2020 incident as a massacre.

The panel also established that the Nigerian military shot live bullets, killed several protesters, and took corpses away in their vans.

But Mr Akinolu argued that the military’s intervention cushioned the situation.

“The army’s intervention calmed the situation, and I also thank the almighty Allah that nobody died in the palace during the incident,” he said.

The Lagos monarch’s palace was in 2020 invaded by irate youths who accused him of hoarding palliatives meant for poor citizens.

Foodstuffs, starched hard currencies, staff of office, among other valuables were carted away from Mr Akiolu’s palace as he was chased away from his domain for months.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, who was on an operational visit to Lagos to inaugurate some projects, said that his visit to the palace was to get royal blessings from the traditional ruler.

“I came to this palace to pay my respect and homage to the king before inaugurating the project in Isale-Eko.” he said.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Army during the #EndSARS’ protest.

“Many people criticised them for coming out during the protest but it was good they came out when the police could no longer handle the situation,” he said.

“The army’s intervention calmed the situation, and I also thank the almighty Allah that nobody died in the palace during the incident,” he said.

MYND44issaSMOKER:
Read the article again but this time unplug your A.P.C zombie brain and use your normal brain...

Christistruth00:



There was an attempt to attack the Oba of Lagos that day

MYND44issaSMOKER:
Oba wey hide palliatives...

LegendHero:


Foolish Gazette again with their sensational headlines.

Above is the quote of the Oba of Lagos. Where did he praise the army for shooting protesters?

Christistruth00:



Stop lying the Palliatives were not held by the Oba but by the Local Govt, Senators and House of Representatives members


If you push me any further I will post the Audio of Nnamdi Kanu on Radio Biafra ordering IPOB to stone the Oba of Lagos

You know it is a very sensitive matter

PointZerom:


You can as well post the threat of your Oba to throw Igbos into the lagoon if they refused to vote for Ambode.

LegendHero:


This is use of English.

Gazette carefully put quotation mark on the statement of the king. Except if you’re telling me the quotation mark means nothing in language.

It’s an insult that Meth addict like you will be questioning my intellect. Give the phone to the professors in your state and I will be sure to engage.

Christistruth00:



Stop lying the Palliatives were not held by the Oba but by the Local Govt, Senators and House of Representatives members


If you push me any further I will post the Audio of Nnamdi Kanu on Radio Biafra ordering IPOB to stone the Oba of Lagos

You know it is a very sensitive matter

qekng40:
Because they invaded where u hid palliatives meant for ordinary Nigerians ?


You're not a People's king but a Personal King!

OyeofIkoTuN:
He's not royal..He's a policeman, Tinubu from osun put him there

Christistruth00:



The most important thing is that Nnamdi Kanu has been Captured and in locked in a Cage


By the way where is your Anambra Azusu River Massacre Judicial Panel Report we haven’t seen it yet

OyeofIkoTuN:
good..I hope you know the most important thing is that after our ancestors witness you lose lokoja and ilorin,We are witnessing you lose not only Yewa and Igangan in the 21st century but more and more territories to go. It's a joy to watch..almighty yorubas fled to benin republic..almighty for nairaland

christistruth01:




Are IPOB still butchering and eating their kinsmen as food in the South East ?