Nigeria's army admits its soldiers were at Lagos shootings

Nigeria's army has mitted its soldiers were deployed at Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos where live rounds were fired last week, killing several peaceful protesters prompting global outr.

At least 10 protesters were killed in Lekki plaza shooting on Oct. 20, according to Amnesty International.

army h maintained that its troops were t at site of shooting, but Tuesday night a military spokesman, Maj. Osoba Olaniyi, reversed that position, saying soldiers h been deployed re to enforce a curfew. However he denied that troops shot at protesters.

“At time did soldiers of Nigerian army open fire on any civilian,” Olaniyi said in a statement.

military's mission of its presence at plaza came after Lagos State goverr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said security camera foot showed Nigerian soldiers at Lekki plaza and firing at peaceful protesters.

Olaniyi said soldiers were deployed on orders from Lagos state government, but goverr has said state has authority over national army. Many Nigerians question why soldiers were deployed at peaceful protest, in which thousands h gared at Lekki plaza.

A judicial panel began investigating shooting on Tuesday. panel is also investigating allegations of abuse against police unit, Special Anti-Robberty Squard, kwn as SARS.

A widespre #EndSARS campaign erupted in Nigeria in early October after a video circulated showing a man being beaten, apparently by SARS officers. peaceful, well-organized protests disrupted traffic in Lagos and many or Nigerian cities. President Muhammu Buhari's government agreed to disband SARS unit, but protests continued with participants demanding sweeping reforms of police and action against corruption.

protesters were largely peaceful, but several were killed, according to Amnesty International which accused authorities of using unnecessary force. On Oct. 20 government imposed a curfew, ordering everyone to stay at home and that evening shootings occurred at Lekki plaza. For two days after that Lagos saw widespre rioting.