CNN should be sanctioned over Lekki shooting coverage — Lai Mohammed

Information and culture minister Lai Mohammed has reacted to a CNN report on the October 20 alleged shooting of EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza.

Mohammed, on Thursday, described the report as one-dimensional and lacking in balance.

He also, according to Channels TV, validated a report done by the BBC, which he claimed was based more on facts.

Lai Mohammed added that CNN should be sanctioned for misinformation and irresponsible reporting. The Nigerian government, which fined local broadcasters over their reporting on the Lekki incident, lacks oversight over CNN which is based in the US.

Lai Mohammed referred to previous reports done by CNN which lacked balance while insisting that the military fired blank bullets into the air and not at the crowd.

He urged that persons who have alleged massacres, as well as relatives with missing family members, report at the judicial panel to lay official complaints.

He also said the CNN report conveniently excluded the looting, violence by citizens, 269 private facilities burnt and looted, 243 govt facilities vandalized.

Security agents, he said, deserve commendation and not condemnation.