Interrogating CNN reportage of Lekki Tollgate

By Yakubu Shendam

It is imperative that issues must be put in proper perspective for the generality of members of the public, and under no circumstance should Fake News be allowed to fester due to its negative consequences.

It must be stated that indeed there is a sinister motive by some vested interests to destabilize Nigeria ahead of 2023 and these individuals and their sponsors have been most ferocious in this enterprise not minding the implication of their actions.

Sadly, the CNN has ironically joined the fake news promoters with its recently released video alleging that soldiers used live bullets and fired into a crowd of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.

The action of the CNN is a mere rehash of the existing narrative that has been faulted by different independent bodies in Nigeria with regards to what transpired at the Lekki Tollgate.

What the CNN did was to tow the same line by aggregating videos that were already in circulation and introduced a slant that would give credence to the narrative that soldiers used live bullets and indeed deaths were recorded.

As a youth president/leader, I am consequently constrained to believe that the introduction of the CNN into the issues at hand is as a result of the testimony of the Nigerian Army at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution which indeed out issues in proper perspectives.

The CNN not only attempted to turn the truth on its head, but it also delved into an area it has minimal understanding of the undercurrents and the subsequent escalation of violence that led to the destruction of properties as well as the loss of human lives.

It is also curious that the CNN report for inexplicable reasons elected to ignore the fact that the supposed protest was hijacked by some sponsored thugs and hoodlums that wreaked havoc through the burning of police stations in parts of Lagos state destruction of both public and private businesses as well as the barbaric way police officers were murdered in cold blood under the guise of EndSARS.

This is indeed an indication that there is a lot that meets the eyes with the EndSARS protest given the fact that as the dust is gradually settling, the CNN has so decided to recycle the issues that are being addressed at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution.

It is our view that the recent video released by CNN is meant to serve the purpose of misleading the general public. It might not be farfetched if those vested interests that are bent on destabilizing Nigeria are the brain behind it.

That the CNN prefer to be so used as a tool for the weaponization of fake news across the globe and Now against the Nigerian State and her citizenry is indeed despicable and should be condemned by all discerning individuals or groups

We wish to consequently inform all Nigerians as well as the international community that the recently released video by the CNN is indeed the handiwork of detractors that are envious of the considerable gains recorded in Nigeria in all aspect of our socio-economic life.

Nigerians must as a result of this come to terms with the realization that Nigeria is up against an international conspiracy to derail and thwart our nascent democracy by sowing the seed of discord in the polity to cause a crisis of unimaginable proportion.

It is also our considered opinion that the use of CNN to further their agenda against Nigeria is ultimately targeted at the Nigerian Army as an institution that has been protective of the Nigeria Democracy

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the Nigerian Army is under constant and scathing attacks by some powerful sponsored elements, catels and groups with the ultimate aim of demeaning the efforts of the Nigerian Army so far in preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as the entrenchment of our nascent democracy.

I wish to use this medium to call on all well-meaning Nigerians to view the video by the CNN with a pinch of salt as multiple indicators suggest that it is sponsored against the interest of Nigeria. That the CNN has joined the fray of fake news merchants should give us a reason to be alarmed as the forces against Nigeria are more than we can imagine.

Let me also state in unequivocal terms that the involvement of the CNN has indeed raised a red flag that indeed our democracy is under a threat, hence the need for Nigerians to be wary of fake news peddlers

We must, at this point come to terms with the reality on the ground and join hands with the government in addressing the threat posed by fake news merchants, else we might all have ourselves to blame.

The CNN has by this action indicated that it has a bitter agenda in Nigeria. With a renew mandate to spy into our security Networks.