As investigations into the Lekki Tollgate shooting of October 20, 2020, which claimed the lives of peaceful protesters and injured others continues, Sentinel Forensic Company, has testified to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution that live ammunitions fired at the protesters were registered to the Nigerian Army.
The forensic company’s representative, Joseph Kayode Funsho, made this revelation, and went further to say that the blank ammunition discovered at the scene did not match the records of the Nigerian army.
The live ammunition presented by the Nigerian Army is of the core calibre as the cartridge casings submitted by the Judicial Panel. While the blank ammunition submitted by the Nigerian Army is not of the same calibre as the cartridge casing submitted by the Judicial Panel. The blank ammunition submitted by the Nigerian Army is not designed to be fired by rifles chambered to 7.62x39mm
Joseph Kayode Funsho
The finding of Sentinel contradicts the claims made by the Nigerian army through Brigadier Ahmed Taiwo, Commander of the 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, in November 2020. Brigadier Taiwo had testified to the Panel that the military only fired blank bullets containing gunpowder at protesters on October 20, and insisted that soldiers only shot into the air, not directly at protesters.
Following the new development, the Panel adjourned the hearing for September 11, 2021.
Sources
Vanguard NGR
Premium Times
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