The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has defended the Nigerian military, saying they are not the police, rather professional Armed Forces of the country.

The military Chief adduced this on Tuesday in Benin, Edo state while visiting governor Godwin Obaseki and military formations in the state.

General Irabor who was reacting to the Lagos panel report indicting the Nigerian Army in the shooting and killing that ensued at Lekki Tollgate during the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protest.

The CDS who claimed that he cannot ascertain whether the report was true or not, said the proper procedure was not followed in releasing the panel’s report.

According to the General, the normal procedure is to have the panel’s report submitted to the ‘convening authority’  and then a white paper will be released.

General Irabor said;

“Whether it is a true report, I can’t tell. But I’d like to indicate that the normal procedure is to have such a report submitted to the convening authority. And then there will be a white paper that will be presented, based on which one can make informed comments

But whatever it is currently, I’d like to indicate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional armed force. We are peopled by Nigerians and we remain committed to the constitutional mandate. So we will not at this point think that Nigerians should make disparaging remarks regarding the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in the sense that we are a professional armed forces. If there are issues, of course, we address them within the ambit of the provisions.

It would not be right to disparage men and women who have worked so hard to ensure that the territorial integrity of this nation is kept intact. So in the meantime, until I see the full extent of the report.

I can assure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are well-disciplined and we do not engage in any ignoble acts. If Nigerians do not trust us, then we won’t be doing what we are doing, and in any case, it is the Armed Forces of Nigeria; we are not talking of the police. So when the Armed Forces are called out, it is because there is a need; there is no one who doesn’t desire to live in peace

We need to understand that the Armed Forces are there to keep the peace, to provide the ambiance that will enable each Nigerian to live his or her desires in peace and harmony. So let us not make inciting comments that will put the entire space on fire. That’s not right.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State governor, Sanwo Olu has said that a white paper of the panel’s report will be released in two weeks time.