By Following criticism by the Presidency over its report on the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki Toll Plaza on October 20, 2020, International Cable News Network (CNN) has said that its findings as stated in the report was “carefully and meticulously researched” and it stands firmly by it.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a press briefing had dismissed the claims of the international media organisation, indicting it of carrying out “irresponsible journalism.” Mohammed said the CNN relied on fake videos from social media.
In its reaction, the cable station stated that the report was based on testimony gotten from witnesses, and verified photos and videos obtained from the incident. The response was titled ‘Nigeria threatens CNN with sanctions but provides no evidence Lekki toll gate investigation is inaccurate’.
“Our reporting was carefully and meticulously researched, and we stand by it.
“The report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN. It painted a picture of how members of the Nigerian army and the police shot at the crowd, killing at least one person and wounding dozens more.”
The CNN said that it verified all photos and videos obtained from eyewitnesses using timestamps, while equally stating how it tried to get comments from the relevant government authorities.
“CNN verified photos and videos acquired from multiple eyewitnesses and protesters using timestamps and other data from the video files.
“Video footage shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the direction of protesters. And accounts from eyewitnesses established that after the army withdrew, a second round of shooting happened later in the evening.
“Prior to publishing the report, CNN tried multiple times to elicit comment from the Nigerian army and police. A Lagos State police spokesman declined to comment because of an ongoing investigation.
“While a statement from the Lagos State government said that there would be no comment while a judicial tribunal was underway.”
