The Nigerian Army has said it was unhappy with Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over two claims he made over the #EndSARS protests. Brig-General Ibrahim Taiwo, Commander 81 Division, stated this during his testimony before the Lagos Judicial Panel on Restitution and SARS Related Abuses.
Taiwo, who also heads the Nigerian Army Military Intelligence Brigade, cited Sanwo-Olu’s denial that he did not seek military intervention. On the request for military intervention, Taiwo said Governor Sanwo-Olu repeatedly telephoned General G.O Umelo, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) while the latter was at a meeting. Umelo, as Taiwo stated, finally spoke with the governor but faulted the procedure he had taken.
“It would surprise you to know that the governor (Sanbwo-Olu) did not have the GOC’s number and the GoC did not have the governor’s number too. The GOC came out of a meeting and saw a number of missed calls from a number; he called back and spoke to the governor, who at the time had got through to the Chief of Army Staff,” the Brig-General stated. He said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s request led the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army to order “Phase 4 Internal security operation.”.