Group accuses CNN of plotting to create crisis in Nigeria over report on Lekki shooting

A group with the name Coalition Against Fake News said on Thursday the recently released Cable News Network (CNN) report on the shooting of #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos was biased and designed to create a crisis in Nigeria.

CNN had in the report said soldiers deployed to quell the protests in many parts of the state fired live bullets directly at the protesters at Lekki tollgate last month.

The group in a statement urged the Federal Government to sanction the news platform over the report, saying the documentary has further confirmed that it has a “nasty agenda” against Nigeria.

The statement quoted the group’s Executive Secretary, Finbarr Edmond, as saying at a press conference in Abuja “that is sad that CNN has joined the bandwagon of fake news promoters with its recently released video alleging that soldiers used live bullets and fired into the crowd of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.”

It urged Nigerians to come to terms with the reality on the ground and join hands with the government in addressing the threat posed by purveyors of fake news.

The statement read:

“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.

Read also: ‘We stand by our report on shooting of #EndSARS protesters,’ CNN replies Nigerian govt

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

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

The group also described the action of the CNN as a mere rehash of the existing narrative that has been faulted by different independent bodies in Nigeria on the Lekki shooting.

 

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