Heavy gunfire as security operatives descend on Lekki #EndSARS protesters

 

Security operatives have invaded the Lekki toll gate where thousands of protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality for the past 13 days.

One Wale Adetona, a Twitter user, said at least three protesters have been killed at the scene.

“From the videos I’ve seen which I can’t share on my page, they’ve killed at least 3 protesters at the Lekki Toll gate right now. This is not right! This is not right!!!! This is sad!!!” he wrote.

It is unclear if it is the police or soldiers who opened fire on the protesters.

Earlier in the day, some Twitter users raised the alarm that closed circuit television (CCTV) at the toll gate had been disconnected.

- THECABLE

Restructure Nigeria before it’s too late, says Afenifere amid #EndSARS protests

 Afenifere, Yoruba socio-political organisation, has asked the federal government to restructure the country immediately.

The group made the call in reaction to the ongoing protests against police brutality.

The protests which have entered the 13th day have also been held outside Nigeria — with international figures joining the call for the reform of the police.

In a statement on Monday, Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere leader, commended the youth for raising their voices, saying they “have risen to say enough to the excesses of the Nigerian state symbolised by the crimes of SARS at this period in history”.

He said the government needs to devolve powers to the state, reduce government size, and create state police to enhance security.

“This is not the time for long speeches. The message is clear: Let us now rescue Nigeria from imminent disintegration and destruction. Let us restructure our country into a fairer, more just and equitable polity now,” he said.

“To enhance nationwide development and progress return control of resources to states now.

“To ensure peaceful and harmonious co-existence devolve more power to the states now.

“To reduce corruption and cost of governance reduce the size of government now. Now is the time. Tomorrow may be too late.”

The Afenifere leader warned against the deployment of force against peaceful protesters, saying it is better if their demands are considered.

He said Nigeria is almost at a tipping point and that the government needs to act immediately.

He also asked the protesters to “avoid any precipitate action that can escalate the tense situation”.

“No amount of threats and unleashing of  violence will get these young people off demanding a better deal,” he said.

“It is not helpful blackmailing the protesters instead of looking into their demands and establishing a better livable polity.

“The economic implications will boost employment, stimulate demand and pull our country out of depression. The government has to act now, tomorrow may be too late.

“The spirit behind these protests will rise again and again to demand a better and fairer deal.

“We cannot afford to continue running Nigeria in the old ways.

“The signs have been clear for some time, that we were approaching the tipping point. Events of the past few days, will appear to suggest that the last straw is nigh.”

- THECABLE

Barcelona vs Ferencvaros: Koeman names squad for Champions League clash

 

Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman, has named his side’s Champions League squad to face Ferencvaros at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Koeman announced a list of 23 players to tackle Ferencvaros in a post via the club’s official Twitter handle on Tuesday morning.

Barcelona head to the game after losing 1-0 against Getafe in La Liga’s previous fixture on Saturday.

Barcelona squad against Ferencvaros:

Dest, Pique, R.Araujo, Sergio,Alena, Griezmann, Pjanic, Braithwaite, Messi, O.Dembele, Riqui Puig, Neto, Coutinho, Lenglet, Pedri, Trincao, S.Roberto, F.De Jong, Ansu Fati, Junior, Inaki Pena, O.Mingueza and Arnau Tenas.

The kick-off time for the game is 8pm, Nigerian time.

- DAILY POST

Orile-Iganmu Police station set on fire amid #EndSARS protest

 

Hoodlums torched the Orile-Iganmu Divisional Police Station on Lagos-Badagry Expressway Tuesday as the #EndSARS protests continued today.

Police assets in Ekiti and Edo states have similarly been burnt.

Protesters in Benin aided a jail break by over 2000 inmates.

The Lagos State government, to arrest the anarchy on the streets, today announced a 24 hour curfew effective from 4pm today.

The Lagos State government, to arrest the anarchy on the streets, today announced a 24 hour curfew effective from 4pm today.

- PM NEWS

End SARS: Protests continue as youths block major roads in Ibadan

 

The nationwide protest against police brutality continued on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

DAILY POST correspondent recalls that the protesting youths have been protesting against police brutality since the past few days.

Our correspondent reports that the protests continued on Tuesday when the youths blocked major roads in Ibadan.

The protesters are demanding an end to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the newly created Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Some of them also demanded an end to jumbo pay by legislators, bad governance and an end to unemployment in the country.

Some of the roads that were blocked are Eleyele-Eruwa road, Dugbe-Mokola road, Dugbe-Iyaganku road and Ibadan-Abeokuta Road.

Our correspondent who went round some major roads in Ibadan observed that the protesting youths had blocked some of the roads as early as 8.am.

They mounted road blocks in some areas, a situation that has caused traffic jam in most parts of Ibadan.

Other roads that were blocked are Challenge- Molete and Ring Road and Bodija-Secretariat Roads.

The Dugbe junction which links Mokola, Ibadan-Abeokuta and Jericho roads was blocked around 8.am when our correspondent visited the area.

When our correspondent visited some of the roads, only commercial motorcyclists could be allowed to pass.

This development is forcing many commuters to abandon their vehicles and begin to trek.

- DAILY POST

#EndSARS: Why I spent over 2 years in jail without trial – Benin Prison escapee

 

The revelations of an unidentified escapee from the latest Benin jail break have brought to the fore not only the injustice and rot in our nation’s judicial, policing and correctional system but also how  citizens spent years in jail awaiting trial, some even dying in the process without seeking justice..

As reported by Sahara Reporters one of the escapees, who cashed in on the jail break today to escape, as hoodlums broke into Oko Prison along Sapele road in Benin City and set more than two thousand inmates free, told residents while fleeing that he had been awaiting trial for over two years without his case ever coming up for hearing.

The escapee said though the Investigating Police Officer handling the case collected money from him, he never investigated the matter, leaving the authorities to throw him in jail.

However, while scurrying away from the scene, he rained curses at the policeman behind his ordeal.

Intriguing? Wait for this. That escapee is just one of the numerous inmates awaiting trial endlessly in Nigerian prisons.

In April this year, head of the Nigerian correctional service, Ja’afaru Amed told Leadership Newspapers that 51, 983 inmates are awaiting trial  out of the prison’s total population of 73, 773 inmates. That is, about 70 per cent of the total population are awaiting trial. According to him only 22, 773 inmates have been convicted.

A report by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics also said between 2011 and 2015 72 .5 per cent of Nigeria’s otal prison population are inmates awaiting trial without being sentenced.

Ahmed also reiterated the need for the decongestion of the prisons since they are overcrowded.

However the Muhammadu Buhari administration has started carrying out prison reforms, which include speedy trial processes, granting pardons and amnesty to prisoners. In April this year, 70 inmates, including 39 federal offenders were released from incarceration.

While announcing the pardon, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, explained that the president had also approved the release of 2,600 inmates across various correctional centres in the country.

Still, the confessions of the escapee from the Benin Prison shows a lot still needs to be done, as many inmates are still being detained in Nigeria prisons awaiting trial that may never come.

It has also brought the need not just for speedy reforms but also the speedy trial of inmates to the fore. Until this is done many inmates may wallow in prison without access to fair hearing and justice.

Hoodlums cashed in on the #EndSARS protest in Benin and broke into the Oko Correctional facility earlier today and set more than two thousand inmates free, leaving about nine dead.

The hoodlums also went ahead and burnt down Ugbekun police station. However, this is not the first time the Benin prison has been broken into.

In 2014, unknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers broke into the correctional centre and set inmates free.

- PM NEWS

End SARS: Tinubu warns protesters, tells them what to avoid

 Bola Tinubu, a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday, warned End SARS protesters against creating a platform that would lead to the destruction of Nigeria’s democratic process.

Tinubu pointed out that protesters must not abuse their right of demonstration by impeding on the country’s democratic right.

In a statement he personally signed, the former governor of Lagos State said protesters must not bar others from movement.

The statement reads partly: “However, the protesters must be careful not to set the stage for the erosion or destruction of the same democratic process that gives them the freedom and right to protest in the first place.

“Their democratic right to protest must not be exercised in such a way that impedes the democratic right of other citizens to freedom of movement, expression and the liberty to pursue their livelihoods.

“The fight for police reforms is surely to promote and protect the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians. It is a contradiction for the protesters to act in ways that will further worsen the economic well being of the very people they are fighting for.”

- DAILY POST

Sanwo-Olu declares 24-hr curfew in Lagos amid #EndSARS protests

 

The Lagos state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state owing to the outbreak of violence amid the #EndSARS protests.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, made the announcement on Tuesday.

There have been cases of violence in the state while the protests against police brutality persisted.

Hoodlums exploited the situation unleashing attacks on protesters and security formations.

On Monday, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the state police command were attacked by hoodlums.

And on Tuesday, a police station at Orile-Iganmu was set ablaze.

Describing the development as “monstrous”, the governor, in a statement, said the curfew takes effect from 4pm on Tuesday.

“Dear Lagosians, I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State,” he said.

“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.

“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October, 2020.

“Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.”

- THECABLE