By Emmanuel Ebimoh

Lagos state governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu has addressed Lagosians following the unfortunate massacre of the #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll gate, in Lagos.

In a series of tweets on his official Twitter handle @jidesanwoolu, the Governor directed the “immediate suspension of all State activities for 3-days” and “the lowering of the flags in all government establishments for 3-days”.

See full tweets below:

Dear Lagosians,

I address you today with a heavy heart as your Governor. I do so as a father and a brother. I do so as one who is touched by the infirmities and feelings of his people. I do so as a part of the collective humanity that we all share.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

Yesterday’s events were no doubt some of the darkest gradients of our history as a State and as a people. As you are perhaps aware, I have been engaging the #EndSARS protesters since Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October 2020 respectively.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

However, events took a different turn from Sunday 18, October 2020 as criminal elements took advantage of the firm orders handed down to the officers and men of the Nigerian Police not to resort to shooting as a rule of engagement.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

Other criminal elements in turn began to unleash terror on citizens in different parts of the State like Fagba in Ogba & Ebute Metta. In the Ebute Metta incident, 19 officers and men of our Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were severally injured by armed thugs in Adekunle, Ebute Metta
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

Things took a more dangerous turn on Tuesday 20th, 2020 when the Orile and Ilasamaja Police Stations were razed by arsonists.

Chaos took over as Ajeromi Local Government Area offices were completely burnt down and wanton destruction of property followed.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

For clarity, it is imperative to explain that no governor controls the rules of engagement of the army. I have nevertheless instructed an investigation into the ordered and the adopted rules of engagement employed by the men of the Nigerian Army deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

The leadership of our Ministry of Health led by the Honourable Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi worked through the night with different hospitals in Lekki and environ to monitor and provide support for the injured protesters.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020

2. The lowering of the flags in all government establishments for 3-days.

3. The constitution of a 5-man Fact-Finding Committee into the Rules of Engagement ordered & adopted by the Nigerian Army to be headed by a retired military officer not less than the rank of a General
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020