#EndSARS protest: Lagos talks tough, ‘we won’t condone violence’

 

The Lagos State Government on Monday warned that it will not condone violence in the state following rampage by hoodlums in some part of the state, hijacking the #EndSARS protest.

Hoodlums, hiding under #EndSARS protest attacked and injured several RRS officers on Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba area of Lagos on Monday.

Activities were also disrupted at Alapere area and on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

But a statement issued by the Lagos State Government and signed by Gbenga Omotosho, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the government  had noticed the unpleasant events that occurred on Monday following the degeneration of the anti-SARS protests.

“Some policemen have been injured in attacks on RRS vehicles on Herbert Macaulay and Alapere; ordinary citizens have had their lives disrupted in many ways.

“The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration abhors violence in any form and warns all those behind these disturbing incidents to stop them as the government will not allow any breakdown of law and order.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing everything possible to ensure that this crisis stops as soon as possible. He urges Lagosians not to panic but to pray for peace, which the State desires, following the unfinished battle against COVID-19,” the statement said.

The government urged all parents to ensure that their children did not become ready tools in the hands of criminals who might want to take advantage of the protests to perpetrate evil.

“All law-abiding Lagosians must ensure that criminals do not hijack the protests by our good-intention youths and make life difficult for our people. It is the duty of all good citizens to ensure that nothing is done to aggravate this situation,” it added.

- PM NEWS

Guardiola gives condition for Aguero to sign new Man City contract

 

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has given a condition for striker, Sergio Aguero, to sign a new contract at the club.

Guardiola said that the Argentine international must first show that he deserves to continue at Etihad in order for the club to extend his stay.

Aguero’s current contract with Man City will expire at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who joined Man City in 2011, is their all-time leading scorer with 254 goals.

“Sergio now has to show, like every one of us, that he deserves to continue here — keep playing well, scoring goals and winning games — and after that the club and I will decide,” Guardiola told British media after Aguero, who sustained a knee injury in June made his return in Man City’s 1-0 victory against Arsenal at the weekend.

“But if he’s playing at his level we don’t have any doubts that he’s a player to stay until he decides because he’s unique. He’s important for us, our fans and everyone.”

- DAILY POST

‘Hoodlums’ attack #EndSARS protesters in Abuja, set their cars on fire

 

Suspected hoodlums have attacked some #EndSARS protesters in Abuja, burning down their cars.

A witness told TheCable that the incident happened around Kabusa junction in the Apo district area of the nation’s capital, at 6pm.

The protesters had converged on Dan Kogi, a junction close to a Shoprite mall. They blocked the road and wielded their placards.

Their attackers swooped on them from different directions while many of them scuttled to safety.

The attack created tension as traders in the market close to the scene locked up their shops earlier than usual.

Abuja protesters have come under attacks, both from security operatives and suspected hoodlums.

The latest attack comes 24 hours after the death of Anthony Onome, an Abuja resident who was stabbed while marching with other protesters on Saturday.

Onome died at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was taken to after the incident in the Kubwa area of the nation’s capital.

- THECABLE

End SARS: Suspend SWAT now – CAN advises police IG

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has cautioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, to suspend the establishment of the Special Weapons And Tactical, SWAT, unit of the Nigerian Police Force.

Recall that the IGP Mohammed Adamu had set up the new Police unit to take over from the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement suggested ways to end the ongoing protests against police brutality and extra-judicial killings in parts of the country.

It observed that SWAT may not produce the desired results unless sanity was first restored to the Police, while all erring officers of the disbanded SARS were dealt with.

The association condemned in strongest terms every attempt made to disrupt the peaceful protest, stressing that it is lawfully allowed and guaranteed by the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The leadership of CAN said that it is monitoring the End SARS protests nationwide and is praying that their unprecedented efforts to have a decent society will not be in vain.

CAN, therefore, called on the Military and Police to resist the temptation to intervene in a civil protest in order to avoid harvest of deaths.

The Christian body also added that the country has had enough of mass burials without fighting a war in the recent past.

On ways to halt End SARS protests, CAN called on the federal and state governments to walk their talk with a view to restoring the lost TRUST to the governed by immediately inaugurating a Judicial or Quasi-Judicial panel with representatives of the Civil society at all levels with a view to bringing all the criminals in uniform to book.

It urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately send an appropriations bill to the National Assembly for the compensation of all victims of the police brutality and other extrajudicial killings in the last 10 years.

The leadership of CAN called for a fresh recruitment in the police should take background check of those being recruited into consideration so as to avoid recruiting criminals into the force as had been seen.

Similarly, it added that semi-literates should never be recruited into the Police again, while well educated, morally and mentally sound people are good enough to wear a police uniform in Nigeria.

- DAILY POST

Lagos CP arrests SP Ajakaiye for assaulting grandma

 Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu has arrested a Superintendent of Police, Tunji Ajakaiye for assaulting a grandma, Mrs Durojaiye Olaleye, during #EndSARS protest in Surulere area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Olaleye was assaulted severally on Monday, 12 October, 2020, as captured in a viral video on the social media.

Odumosu, who visited the assaulted woman in Okota on Sunday, was compelled by aggressive #EndSARS protesters in Okota to trek in companies of his senior officers for more than 10 kilometres in order to pay a visit to the assaulted grandma, Mrs Olaleye.

Odumosu, who had earlier been denied access at the Muritala Mohammed Airport tollgate in Ikeja by protesters, ran into a similar barricade at NNPC junction, Okota, where the hyper-aggressive protesters insisted that he and his team alight from their official cars and trek that long distance despite series of explanation and appeal on the command’s mission in the area.

He, like every other officer in Lagos State, who has been professional in tolerating and managing several harassment, intimidation and provocation from the protesters, obliged and trekked for peace to reign.

He said the visit to the assaulted grandma was to sympathize and apologise to her and her family members, assuring them that the arrested police officer, SP Ajakaiye, second-in-command at the disbanded Anti Kidnapping Unit, Surulere, who assaulted the grandma has been queried and would face the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) for appropriate punishment.

The police chief also condemned the unprofessional conduct of the senior officer which is unbecoming of his status and contrary to the IGP’s modern policing principles.

While assuring Lagosians of his commitment to sanitise the command, Odumosu encouraged members of the public to report all unprofessional conducts of police officers and men to the command for appropriate disciplinary actions.

 - PM NEWS

End SARS: Details of Ooni’s meeting with Obasanjo emerge

 

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, on Monday hosted Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President, with an appeal to the End SARS protesters across Nigeria to retreat.

Ooni, while receiving Obasanjo at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, described the End SARS protests as a clear message by the Nigerian youth to the government.

He also urged the youths to give the government the chance to attend to their demands fully.

The royal father said, “If you look at the End SARS protest, you’ll see that our youths have what it takes to rule the country.

“Since day one, they’ve shown leadership, accountability and a huge sense of responsibility which has sent a clear message to the government.

“Every day at 11:50 pm, they displayed their financial update, and to me, I am highly amazed by their sense of accountability.

“As a youth leader myself, I’m proud that we all have communicated our ideas, and it’s heartwarming that we’ve been heard.

“Dear youths, it’s time to retreat so as to prevent those with ulterior motives from hijacking the peaceful message of peace.

“The whole world is aware of our peaceful conduct, and we must not let some bad elements tarnish this enviable integrity.

“Once again, I wish to urge our youths to stop the protest, for now and give peace a chance. This will prevent the government from using force.”

Speaking earlier, NAN reports that Obasanjo described the EndSARS protest as the product of an extensive agitation by the Nigerian youth that needed to be attended to by the government.

He said: “More than 65 percent of our population are under the ages of 18 and 30; they aren’t only struggling to acquire education, they’re also aspiring for the best that life can offer them.

“Some of them did not even get educated, while those who are educated are getting frustrated because of lack of opportunities. We must realize that the lid on the boiling steam would’ve to be removed.

“But, I believe that there are windows of opportunity which the government can explore to show that it cares about the people’s welfare, especially the youth, as the father of the country and particularly, as the father of the youth.

“Fortunately, the President has children, and he knows how youths behave.

“I believe that the opportunities can still be taken to let the youth know that he, as a father, understands their plight and that his government understands their plight and he’s ready to make life better for them.”

- DAILY POST

Three #EndSARS protesters were raped in Edo, says deputy gov

 

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo, says at least three ladies were raped after suspected hoodlums attacked #EndSARS protesters in the state.

The #EndSARS protests which started peacefully across the country have been hijacked in some states.

Speaking when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Shaibu said the government would do its best to protect residents.

“It’s quite unfortunate that the #EndSARS protests today went violent and the correctional service at Sapele road and Oko prison were invaded. There were jail break in both sides”, he said.

“Before then, during the weekend, hoodlums took over. Yesterday, three young ladies were raped.

“Some through reckless driving, hit up some persons. A lot of lives are already being lost. For the state government, it is not acceptable.”

TheCable had reported how the government imposed a 24-hour curfew after a jailbreak at a correctional centre in Benin, Edo state.

Another prison in Benin was also attacked while inmates were set free.

#EndSARS protesters have been attacked in different parts of the country.

- THECABLE

Many injured as police open fire on #EndSARS protesters in Abuja

 

Some #EndSARS protesters sustained injuries when policemen fired live bullets and teargas to disperse them at AYA junction in Abuja on Monday.

The protesters had been marching to different parts of the city before the police intercepted them along Mararaba-Nyanya road at AYA roundabouts.

A female protester bearing national flag was assaulted when the police forcefully seized it from her.

At least three officers charged at her and hit her with their batons.

For more than 11 days, some residents of the nation’s capital have been taking to the streets to call for a reformation of the police and demand improved welfare.

The demonstrations were initially targeted at the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) but they have continued despite the dissolution of the unit by Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP).

The protesters have vowed that they will not leave the streets until their demands are implemented.

One of their demands is the prosecution of police officers involved in extrajudicial killings.

On Sunday night, protesters converged on the head office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja.

Subsequently, soldiers and policemen were deployed in various parts of the nation’s capital.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Senate President Ahmad Lawan have called on protesters to discontinue their demonstrations, assuring them that their demands would be met.

- THECABLE

End SARS: Edo govt declares curfew

 

The Edo State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogien said the curfew will take effect from 4:00 pm, October 19, 2020, till further notice, Channels reports.

According to him, the curfew was due to the incidents of vandalism and attacks carried out by hoodlums who hijacked the End SARS protests.

Recall that some Nigerians on Monday broke the walls of the headquarters of the Nigeria Correctional Centre (Nigeria prisons in Benin) and freed some prisoners.

Reacting, Ogie said, “This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of the End SARS protests.

“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.”

- DAILY POST

Leave the road, let us dialogue, Sanwo-Olu begs protesters

 Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, again, appealed to the youths demonstrating against police brutality in the State to leave the roads and embrace dialogue for the resolution of their agitations.

The Governor, on Monday, said the State Government had shown sincerity and willingness to address all concerns raised by the protesters, given the actions taken so far, including the constitution of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and setting up of compensation funds for the victims.

Sanwo-Olu made the appeal during the swearing-in of members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution at the State House in Marina.

The Governor’s appeal came on the heel of violent dimension assumed by the EndSARS protests in some parts of the State.

Reiterating his solidarity with the protesters’ demands, Sanwo-Olu said the pain expressed and concerns raised were genuine and legitimate. This, he said, prompted the Federal and States’ governments to immediately acquiesce to some of the demands, while setting process in motion to implement others changes demanded.

The Governor urged the protesters to be part of the process of implementing the reforms they clamoured for in the police, stressing that continuous blocking of roads, Government and private offices would slow down the procedure of implementing their demands.

He said: “We have shown unprecedented commitment to the complete overhaul of the Nigerian Police. The inauguration of this Judicial Panel of Inquiry is only the first step in a long line of reformative actions that will lead to a thorough revamp and reorientation of the Nigeria Police. I believe that some of the actions we have taken should, to a large extent, show our sincerity and willingness to address all your concerns.

“Let me reiterate that I am on the side of the young people out there. I understand your pain and I know your concerns are genuine and legitimate. While we are able to immediately acquiesce to some of your demands, some others will require time. We ask you to bear with us as we dutifully work on your demands.

“I will, therefore, like to renew my appeal to you to suspend the protests and create an atmosphere for the resolution of all pending demands. I encourage everyone brutalised by the disbanded SARS, including the families of those who died, to present their case before this tribunal.”

Sanwo-Olu said he believed the task of reforming the police was achievable, but required the input and cooperation of the youth to accomplish task.

Speaking about the judicial panel, the Governor said he was convinced that its outcome and recommendations would open a new chapter in police-citizen relationship.

He promised that the State Government would ensure that all wounds are healed, justice served to victims of abuse, and guilty police officers prosecuted.

At the time of the swearing in of the panel members, the representatives of the youth in the panel had not been nominated by the protesters.

The State Government, last Friday, reached out to the protesters to forward the name of their nominees into the judicial panel. The protesters, however, pleaded for more time to send the names of their nominees, four days after the Government’s request.

- PM NEWS

EFCC confirms attacks on website

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that there were attempts to breach its website.

Anonymous, a legion of hackers, had claimed responsibility for hitting the agency’s internet platform.

The group also tempered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) website and threatened to target more.

The anonymous group say their actions are in support of the End SARS protests in the country.

EFCC, however, assured that its website was not hacked.

On Monday, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Head of Media, noted that the compromise efforts were recorded over the weekend.

The spokesman blamed “cybercriminals” for a near breach of its privacy.

Uwujaren said the attempts were successfully repelled and that the website “is up and running”.

- DAILY POST

#EndSARS protesters shut down Third Mainland Bridge

 

#EndSARS protesters have blocked the Adekunle section of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

Vehicular movement was completely grounded but vehicles on emergency services were allowed to access the road.

The protesters had earlier marched to Panti and Adekunle Police Station in a bid to register their grievances.

One of the protesters, Dotun, said that taking the protest to Panti was deliberate.

Reacting to report that protesters burnt Adekunle Police Station, Dotun said, “We did not burn the station or attacked anyone there. We just stood near the gate and that of Panti to show our pains. We know that they have many SARS operatives there.” - PM NEWS

2023 Presidency: Ohanaeze urges South-East Govs to join APC, laments continued marginalization

 

In its continued agitation for a Nigeria President of Igbo extraction in 2023, the Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has called on governors from the South-East geopolitical zone to join the governing All Progressives Congress(APC) in the interest of the people.

Ohanaeze hinted that there are no political benefits for the South East zone to remain in a political party that has no respect and value for the Igbos except milking their votes during elections through deceitful mediums and fake promises.

The call was contained in a press statement signed by OYC President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Secretary-General, Okwu Nnabuike and made available to newsmen on Monday.

Ohanaeze youths further urged the South-East governors to save the political future of the Igbo nation and collapse three states into the All Progressives Congress(APC) before the party’s National convention to control their state structures.

The body said the development would serve as sanctions for the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to reverse their decision for an open presidential contest to zoning formula, as enshrined in its constitution.

According to the OYC statement, “Historically, Igbos had never remained in the opposition party since 1960. Igbos deserves better deals, and only through active roles in the mainstream political party will there be an increase in dividends of democracy and projects in the Southeast zone. The continuous exclusion of the South-East zone from the federal government’s crucial political appointments and landmark projects are attributed to Igbo’s absence in mainstream governance. Igbo youths want these unpleasant situations to end, and OYC urges South-East governors to embrace APC and decamp without further delay.

- DAILY POST

Protests in Kano over ‘killing of teenage boy in police custody’

 

Protests are currently ongoing in the Kofar mata area of Kano state over the reported killing of a teenager in police custody.

According to Amnesty International, the victim, identified simply as Saifullahi, was said to have been tortured to death.

Saifullahi, 17, was reportedly arrested on Saturday by the police during the pursuit of some suspects.

The protest was said to have started when the police took Saifullahi’s corpse to his parents’ house on Monday morning.

“Protest is currently going on in Kano around Kofar Mata area, following the death of Saifullah – a 17-year-old in police custody in the morning. The protest against police brutality erupted after it was learnt that Saifullah was allegedly tortured to death by the police, “Amnesty International tweeted.

“Protesters have barricaded the main Kofar Mata road and set tyres on fire chanting songs calling for an end to police brutality.”

Calls to Abdullahi Haruna, spokesman of the state police command, to speak on the development were not answered.

The incident comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality.

In the past 12 days, aggrieved Nigerians have been in the streets calling on the federal government to end brutality and extrajudicial killings by the police.

They are also calling for a comprehensive reform of the police among other demands.

- THECABLE

#EndSARS protesters shut down Lagos State Government Secretariat

 

Nigerians protesting against police brutality have shut down Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

The protesters stormed the secretariat very early, chanting anti-government songs and wielding different placards as they blocked workers from accessing their offices.

The #EndSARS protesters locked all the entrance and motorists, pedestrians were turned back from coming out and going into the premises.

However, security operatives are on standby in case of any break out of violence.

- PM NEWS

Hoodlums break into Benin prison, set inmates free

 

There has been a jailbreak at the correctional centre in Benin, Edo state, with a number of prisoners escaping from the facility.

A witness confirmed the incident to TheCable.

There has been an outbreak of violence in the state following the #EndSARS protests.

Some hoodlums were said to have broken down the walls of Oko prison located on Benin-Sapele road, setting inmates free.

The witness said the hoodlums, who were in large numbers, gained access into the prison through a perimeter fence.

When TheCable called Chidi Nwabuzor, the Edo police spokesman, the officer said he would not entertain calls at the moment because the police were planning on actions to carry out.

The number of inmates who were freed by the hoodlums could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

- THECABLE

Oyo creates platform for reporting police brutality

 

The Oyo state government says it has created an email account and dedicated a section of the state’s website for residents to report cases of police brutality.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, in a statement on Sunday, noted that this was part of the state’s efforts to address the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.

Protesters are calling for justice for victims of police brutality.

According to the statement signed by Taiwo Adisa, chief press secretary to the governor, the state is making efforts to constitute a judicial panel to probe all forms of abuses by police officers in line with the directive of the federal government towards addressing the demands of protesters.

“The Government of Oyo State has created an email account and a section on the state’s website for residents of the state to report incidences of police violations and brutality,” the statement read.

“Residents of the state can report cases of police violations via the email address, reportpolice@mail.oyostate.gov.ng or through the link on the Oyo State website, https://oyostate.gov.ng/reportpolice/, where they can fill out a form.

“The platform is domiciled in the Office of the Governor and that it is aimed at demonstrating Governor Makinde’s determination to address the menace of police brutality, rights abuse and extortion, with a bird’s-eye view monitoring mechanism.”

Makinde has supported the #EndSARS protests, and also condemned the harassment of innocent citizens by police officers.

He had also asked the police “to take a back seat”, while other security agencies monitor the protests in the state.

“Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights,” the governor had said.

- THECABLE

Pro-Biafra group kicks against scrapping of SARS, says Nigeria should break up

 Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has faulted the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu.

The BNYL said it was in total support of the calls by some Northern groups for transfer of SARS to the North.

National Leader of BNYL, Princewill Chimezie Richard, in a statement to DAILY POST on Sunday, said that the Inspector General would be appreciated if he had deployed SARS to Borno to fight the Boko Haram instead of scrapping the unit.

“Transferring SARS to the North especially Borno would have been the best decision to take, they needed to engage Boko Haram, only then they will understand that Kaki No Be Leather”.

BNYL said the End SARS protest is not the solution to police brutality, adding that the military has abandoned its external duty and now does the work of the police.

The Biafra group said Nigerians should drop the End SARS protest and begin to demonstrate for the end of Nigeria.

“It will be more sensible Nigerians start to demonstrate for #EndNigeria and not End SARS.”

- DAILY POST

Kill #EndSARS protesters, face International Criminal Court – Falana threatens Buhari, Buratai

 

Popular human rights lawyer, and Chairman of the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Femi Falana, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to use the Military against #EndSARS protesters.

He also said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, risks facing the International Criminal Court (ICC) if any of the protesters is killed.

The Army had said it would commence Exercise Crocodile Smile VI, which is usually conducted annually to checkmate the activities of criminals across the country during the ember months.

It noted that this time, the military operation which would run from October 20 to December 31, would carry out cyber warfare operations to counter negative propaganda by criminal gangs and groups in social media and across the cyberspace.

However, Falana in a statement issued by ASCAB advised Buhari to withdraw plans to engage soldiers for what is a purely democratic issue.

According to the statement, protests have commonplace across the world as seen in Hong Kong, US, France, South Africa, Belarus, and even in Sudan.

“It is unfortunate that the Nigerian government is sending a signal to the military that it has a role to play in a purely civil matter.

“The plan to deploy soldiers is dangerous. It will push Nigeria into the red light district of global reckoning,” the statement read.

It urged “Buhari not to use soldiers to quell a peaceful, civil protest. The protesters have been lawful. The few cases of violence were associated with armed thugs disrupting the protests coupled with the shooting of protesters by security operatives.

“The political class is isolating Nigerians from governance. State resources are squandered by a few, corrupt people who over the years have failed to address institutional rot that continues to fuel anger and desperation of the toiling people.”

Some CSOs, including Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, Enough is Enough and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, have also condemned the military exercise, saying it is unacceptable.

They allege that it was designed to crush the civil protests.

The CSOs unanimously warned that the Exercise Crocodile Smile VI would only serve to exacerbate the distrust of citizens and lack of confidence in the state and its institutions.

So, they urged the military to withdraw the operation and remain in their barracks to defend the territorial integrity of the country until the #EndSARS protests abated.

- PM NEWS