The spokesman of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army,? Lt-Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, on Tuesday said that soldiers deployed to Lagos by the Federal Government would stay for a while.
The FG had in the wake of protests over fuel subsidy removal, deployed soldiers to beef up security in Lagos and some other states.
Lt-Col Ogunsanya, said the military personnel would remain to ensure that normalcy returned fully to the state.
The army spokesman said that military personnel were deployed in the first place to restore order in the state, saying the soldiers would have to accomplish the mission satisfactorily before leaving.
When asked if the security situation in the state had not normalised, even after? the suspension of street protests and the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Ogunsanya said: “Don`t worry, the soldiers will? not leave until? normalcy fully returns”.
The armed military personnel were seen manning strategic locations in Lagos Metropolis on Monday morning, and had remained at their positions since.
?The Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, one of the flashpoints of the protest, was deserted, even before the strike was suspended on Monday, as the venue was surrounded by armed soldiers.
Also, there was a large military presence around Iyana- Ipaja and Dopemu ends of the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway even as residents went about their normal businesses.
?Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said the presence of the soldiers in the state was not necessary.
“Governor Fashola had condemned the deployment of the soldiers in a statewide broadcast on Monday and his condemnation of the action over peaceful protests in the state is the view of all residents.
“How can you bring in soldiers when people were just expressing their fundamental rights and did not constitute any nuisance to the security of the state and the nation?”
?“There was no basis for that. Everything went violent free and up till now, residents are still enjoying the peace.
“The military should not create an atmosphere of panic in Lagos, that was why the governor? in his broadcast? said their presence was not needed and so they should be withdrawn, “Ibirogba said.
?He urged Lagosians to go about their normal businesses, saying the state government would do everything it could to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.