Nigerian army used live bullets on Lekki protesters – CNN confirms after investigation

A CNN investigation has alleged that the Nigerian army used live bullets on protesters during its intervention in the #EndSARS protests in Lekki, Lagos state.

The American cable network also unveiled the identity of a protester who reportedly died on the night of the shootings.

He was named as Victor Sunday Ibanga.

CNN said a forensic probe of the bullet casings recovered from the scene of the incident revealed that live bullets were fired at the protesters.

It said current and former Nigerian military sources confirmed that the bullet casings “match those used by the army”.

Two ballistics experts also confirmed that the shape of the bullet casings indicate they used live rounds, CNN said.

The network also said it worked with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and “established that several of the bullets from the Lekki toll gate originated from Serbia. Export documents CNN has seen show that Nigeria purchased weaponry from Serbia almost every year between 2005 and 2016”.

The Nigerian army has repeatedly denied using live rounds, insisting that its soldiers used blank bullets and shot only into the air.