Our DJ, four other campaigners killed, allege Osun #EndSARS protesters

 One of the leading #EndSARS protesters in Osun State, Omolola Pedro, said five persons lost their lives during the protest in Osogbo, the state capital on Saturday.

Pedro, who disclosed this on Sunday, said apart from the DJ at the event, one Mutiu, Lekan and two unidentified persons also died in the violence that erupted during the protest.

The protest in Osogbo turned violent on Saturday while Oyetola was addressing the protesters at Olaiya Junction. His security men forced the convoy through the crowd while some hoodlums threw missiles at the vehicles.

One person was said to have been shot at Oke Ayepe Area after the incident at Olaiya Junction, as police confirmed two dead during the protest.

But there are claims that the governor’s convoy shot at some of the protesters in a bid to escape after suspected hoodlums pelted the convoy with stones and other objects.

Giving an update on the incident, Padro said, “Five people died; our DJ, one Mutiu, Lekan and two others that we don’t have their identities yet.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said no arrest had been made in connection with the violence at the scene of the #EndSARS protest in Osogbo on Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Yemisi Opalola, in an interview on Sunday, also confirmed that Osun Mall, a shopping complex in Osogbo, was looted by some hoodlums.

She said, “We are still studying the situation but no arrest yet. From the available information, suspected hoodlums also attacked Osun Mall and stole from some shops in the building. But no arrest yet.”

However, the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has condemned Saturday’s attack on the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, by some suspected #EndSARS protesters in Osogbo.

Akeredolu described the attack as an act of terrorism, which he said, was condemnable.

Similarly, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, described the attack on Oyetola as barbaric, saying that the protesting youth should be law abiding.

Akeredolu’s, who spoke through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Ojo Oyewamide, on Sunday, explained that the genuine movement had been hijacked by politicians to visit their frustrations on perceived opponents.

The statement titled, ‘EndSARS: Attack on Oyetola, a condemnable act of terrorism’, read, “Undoubtedly, the #EndSARS movement has a popular and receptive attitude to it by majority of Nigerians, including policy makers, who have seen in it, an opportunity to deepen concern and redirect efforts towards veritable reforms aimed at achieving positive results.

“This act is a clear act of terrorism under the guise of a civil and supposedly peaceful protest that has been hijacked by criminals and hoodlums hired by politicians. This is more so, that dangerous weapons were said to have been deployed in the ignoble act.

“Nothing more describes and represents this pernicious act as repulsive. It is, therefore, pertinent to call on the organisers to rein in stakeholders involved in the #EndSARS protests so as to stratify between those with genuine, altruistic desires for reforms and elements, who have offered themselves as mercenaries to unleash mayhem on innocent people.”

Akeredolu warned the youth not to be useful tools in the hands of politicians “at this trying period.”

Reacting to the attack on the Osun State governor, the Olowu of Owu, in a statement made available to journalists by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, on Sunday, said the circumstances that led to the attack was questionable as only recalcitrant leaders deserved such humiliation.

The statement equally called for an investigation into the circumstance leading to the killing of two persons, urging the police to give true picture of the actual facts behind their death against diverse hearsay surrounding their death.

Oba Akanbi had earlier warned the protesting youth against the likely hijack of the rally by hoodlums, adding that patriotic protesters should exercise caution to avoid “mistaken identity.”

“The attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola is undeserving and barbaric. In all sincerity, he is a leader by merit. He is a political material that should be encouraged.

“I want to appeal to the protesting youth to act within the ambit of law in the interest of the state that our fathers laboured to build. What you can’t construct, don’t destroy,” the statement read in part.

Earlier, Oyetola had said in a state broadcast that suspected political thugs attacked him at the scene of the protest at Olaiya junction and not youths protesting brutality by the defunct SARS.

The governor promised that the incident would be investigated with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

He said, “Yesterday (Saturday) evening, political thugs and hoodlums made failed attempts on my life and those of my aides while identifying with our beloved youths, who were engaging in legitimate protest against the alleged brutality of the now disbanded  SARS.

“My entourage and I joined protesters from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya junction, chanting solidarity songs with them and encouraging them along the way.”

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, expressed the government’s commitment to protecting fundamental human right of the citizens and would not infringe on the rights of the people.

He made this known on Sunday while featuring on a Yoruba programme, Koleda, on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Osogbo.

Oyintiloye, an ex-lawmaker, described Oyetola as a leader with fat democratic credentials, who would not trample upon the liberty, freedom, and pursuit of goals by the well meaning citizens of the state.

source: https://punchng.com/our-dj-four-other-campaigners-killed-allege-osun-endsars-protesters/

PDP sweeps all seats in Bauchi LG poll

 Armstrong Bakam, Bauchi

The Peoples Democratic Party has won all 20 chairmanship and 20 deputy chairmanship positions as well as the 323 councillorship seats, in the Bauchi State local government election held on Saturday.

The LGA election was last held in Bauchi State 12 years ago.

The 20 elected chairmen and their deputies were issued their Certificates of Return by the Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission, Dahiru Tata, at the commission’s headquarters on Sunday.

The council leaders were later sworn in at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Bauchi on Sunday.

The oath of office and oath of allegiance were administered to them by Justice Hamidu Kunaza, who represented the Bauchi State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Umar.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, warned the council leaders against indolence and corrupt practices in the discharge of their duties.

He said, “What the people of Bauchi want is work, service, infrastructure. I assure you, we are going to give you autonomy to give you the little resources that you need.

“You must work with us to free resources in your local councils. Ghost workers that are taking our money at the primary level, especially the primary health care, primary education and even local workers, must be freed.

“Don’t go and create your own ghost workers because that is the circle of corruption that we inherited. Everybody that becomes a chairman or councilor will have his own number of ghost workers that will bring money to him at home. I know by your pedigree, you will not do that.

source: https://punchng.com/pdp-sweeps-all-seats-in-bauchi-lg-poll/

#EndSARS: Buhari mocks dead police victims

When #EndSARS protesters upended one of the czars of Nigeria’s 36 states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Lagos and he fled in surrender to Aso Rock last week, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), burst into laughter.

Buhari’s laughter wasn’t hearty. It was dry and mirthless, whizzing like a horsewhip on bare skin in harmattan. The laughter echoes the snapping of the windpipe when the tiger buries its yellow fangs in the back of the antelope’s neck, eyes glazed.

To many, Buhari’s laughter, sardonically, betrays the ultimate insincerity of Aso Rock about solving Nigeria’s problems. To some others, the unsaid words behind the laughter was, “See how dis small boy governor dey shake like leaf because of common protest. Kai, he don see fire!” In truth, I agree that Sanwo-Olu is a small boy in comparison to General Buhari.

Agitated, small boy Sanwo-Olu, who has been sacked since about two weeks ago from the Governor’s Office, Alausa, by youths protesting non-stop police killings, brutality and extortion nationwide, was seen in a viral video eagerly explaining to Buhari what Lagos State had done about the requests of the youth protesters.

Wearing a face mask and clenching a big brown envelope containing the demands of the protesters, Sanwo-Olu gesticulated and physically presented his envelope to Buhari, who has formed a habit of receiving guests without wearing a face mask, unguardedly sending a signal to the citizenry that foolhardy defiance is a protection against the coronavirus.

Talking with the haste of a pilot whose plane is in distress, Sanwo-Olu told Buhari, “They (protesters) said we should release all the protesters, we’ve released them; they said we should set up a trust fund to pay compensation to the families of the ones that have died, I’ve set up my own trust fund. Today, I’ve announced it.”

Then, Buhari laughed.

If Sanwo-Olu was shocked about the graceless laughter, he never showed it. He continued, “The third one, they said that we should set up some inquiry for the persons that are bitter…(Buhari interrupts, saying: “Yeah, I said that. I said that in response.”)

Sanwo-Olu continued, “So, tomorrow, the IGP is coming to the Governors’ Forum, he’s going to ask each of us to set up a four-man or five-man team. And the final one is, they said we should increase the salary of the police. The IGP said he was working on that. And (the) IGP said he’s going to be working to take some of them through some psychosocial treatments. Some, they’re going to go to the Force hospitals, they’re going to clean them up and check them. The ones that can still be absorbed, they will. So, everything is working but I just want to present this formally. (He hands over the envelope to Buhari). Thank you, sir.”

 For mocking, instead of mourning those who have died, many Nigerians have called the President uncharitable names. But as annoying as the President’s inappropriate laughter was, I sincerely plead for forgiveness on his behalf. I plead for forgiveness for Buhari because I know that the sweat of the dog is masked by its fur just as our President’s sweat is masked by the splendour of Aso Rock.

As desirable as laughter is, it’s open to ambiguity, I need say. A laughter can be joyous or sorrowful or empty. If I were Buhari, my line of defence against wailers would be that my laughter during Sanwo-Olu’s presentation was sorrowful. I would remind them of the Yoruba proverb, “Oro buruku tohun terin,” which says misfortune walks side by side with laughter.

To those who seek to know whether the President would have laughed if any of his children was killed while protesting for a better Nigeria, I will say: Major General Buhari’s children are obedient, hard working ladies and gentlemen, too busy to lazy about on highways smoking, eating, drinking and singing. And why would Buhari’s children march on the streets to seek a better country when there’s nothing wrong in the Nigeria that fuels the presidential jets that keep them in the air and the limousines that convey them on land?

Buhari’s sweat or laughter, if you like, is seen by many protesting Nigerians as the gerontocratic trait of a leader in need of urgent retirement away from the rigours of critical thinking and the energy-sapping demands of nation-building. A majority of the protesting youths believes that in thought, word and deed, Buhari has no purpose in governance because he’s not in tandem with modern-day democratic realities.

This is why Major General Buhari deserves our collective empathy because he’s at the end of his tether. I’m sure Buhari is shocked and can’t understand why for the first time in the nation’s history, hitherto docile Nigerian youths have suddenly found their voice and massively risen to confront their oppressors. I can hear Buhari asking, who’s funding these protesting youths? I can imagine the loss on his face when a security report shows that the youths’ call for real change is fuelled by the misrule of his government. I can see worry on the President’s face when told that the youth agitation is being powered on the social media. I can hear, ‘social media kwo? Is social media contesting in 2023?’

Buhari deserves pity because he can’t do more than laugh as the events of the past two weeks are totally beyond him. This is why it took earth-shaking nationwide protests for Buhari to know that Nigerians are being slaughtered by the members of a police force long overdue for reformation.

Or, doesn’t Buhari together with his ministers, legislators in shallow chambers, principalities residing in Government Houses nationwide, the Inspector General of Police, secretaries to federal and state governments etc know that the police are killing, raping, maiming and extorting innocent Nigerians before these protests? They all kept quiet because they don’t represent the people. They only represent their pockets.

While Buhari and Nigeria’s past generation of leaders shout, “Off the mic,” the fresh blood out on the streets of Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Osogbo, Ibadan, Owerri, shout, “Soro soke!” a synonym for, “Speak louder!” While Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo and their failed political leaderships are enmeshed in innumerable corruption allegations, the young generation of youths protesting on the streets demand openness, probity and equity.

Today, every Nigerian political office holder is afraid. They know the scales are falling off. Nigerian youths have torn the ‘lazy’ tag pinned on them by Buhari. They’ve also defied the notion that only money can mobilise the citizenry. For 60 years, the old order has failed the nation. A new order is rising. May it birth safely.

If the millions of jobs created by Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari administrations are true, no youth will be out on the streets today. If the thousands of hectares of farmlands they yearly vote billions of naira to cultivate are real, hungry youths won’t troop out to the streets for food at the protest grounds. If there was electricity in homes, some of the protesters would sit back at home to watch TV. If Buhari gave hope, the youths would cope.

Nigerians have perpetually listened to the broken record titled, “Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable.” Today, I laugh to see these funny leaders running helter-skelter, negotiating the country’s peace. Well, Buhari should know that being out of power for 21 years can’t kill the lust for power in Nigeria’s military. Half a word is enough for the wise.

In captivity, when a tiger or lion tastes human blood, it’s killed instantly because the big cats will kill more people after tasting human blood, for human blood is tastier than other animals’ blood because of its saltiness.

Nigerian youths have tasted the power to change the ills of their society. I pray they never remain the same again.

God bless Nigerian youths.

source: punchng.com 

#EndSARS/Crocodile Smile: Military operation will backfire, protesters, others warn Buhari

 

• Soldiers will join protests, we won’t stop, campaigners dare FG
• We won’t allow descent into anarchy, FG tells protesters

Our Correspondents

#EndSARS protesters, the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, human rights groups and lawyers on Sunday warned the Federal Government against deploying troops to stop Nigerians campaigning for police reforms.

They warned the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that such an action would backfire.

Campaigners, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,  among other requests,  have been holding rallies across the major cities of the country for the past 12 days.

The Nigerian Army had on Saturday said it would begin Operation Crocodile Smile aimed at tackling cyber warfare and insurgency.

#EndSARS protesters and other groups interpreted this as a move by Buhari’s regime to deploy troops to quell demonstrations against SARS.

However the  Army, in a statement titled, ‘Exercise crocodile smile VI has nothing to do with #EndSARS protests whatsoever’ said the operation was not targeted at the protesters.

We won’t allow descent into anarchy, says FG

A few hours after the Army issued its statement, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said no government would fold its arms and allow anarchy.

Mohammed, in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority, said that while the original conveners of the protests might have meant well, it was obvious that they were no longer in control of the initiative.

The minister said a  peaceful protest was an integral part of democracy, adding that that was why the Federal Government had treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.

He stated, “But if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond a peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.

“There is nowhere in the world where a government will fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.

“We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians.”

Minister cautions protesters against breaching national security

Also on Sunday, the Federal Government cautioned anti-SARS campaigners against breaching national security.

The Minister of Defence,  Major General  Bashir Magashi (retd.), gave the warning when the National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Danladi Pasali, led the executive members of the group on a courtesy visit to him at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement, titled, ‘Defence minister cautions protesters against undermining national security,’ issued by his  Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Abdlkadir.

The statement stated,  “The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.), has cautioned #EndSARS protesters against breaching national security.”

Soldiers will join our protests, we won’t stop, #EndSARS campaigners dare FG

But, the #EndSARS protesters said that the deployment of troops would not stop them from continuing with their daily rallies and demand for police reforms.

They said any move to deploy military force would backfire.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, a leading member of the #EndSARS movement, Deji Adeyanju, said the Federal Government could not stop people from protesting.

He noted that the military had no constitutional authority to interfere with the rights of Nigerians to freedom of assembly and speech.

He said, “In a democracy, the army has no locus to interfere with freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press. They have no single role to play. But if the President wants to truncate democracy by inviting the army, then, we will know he has suspended the constitution. You can’t stop the people from gathering in a democracy.”

He insisted that the government had not done anything on police reforms, and dismissed as false, claims that the police authorities had disbanded SARS.

Adeyanju, who is the Convener, Concerned Nigerians, said, “Protests are not stopping even if they deploy the army. They would further ensure that more people come out for the protests.

“The more force they use, the more people would join the protests. If the President deploys the troops, you would be surprised at the number of military officers that would join the protesters in solidarity. They are just going to worsen the situation.”

#EndSARS protesters at the Punch Place, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Magboro, Ogun State on Sunday

On the claim by government that it had acceded to the protesters’ five-point demands, the campaigner stated,  “It’s one week after the purported ban and by now, we should be seeing the specifics of the reforms in the police. As far as Nigerians are concerned, the government has not done anything.”

“The DPO of the police station in Ogbomoso that supervised the killing of a protester is still in charge of the station. He is still holding sway there.”

We will drag Buratai to ICC if soldiers kill protesters – Falana-led group

On  its part,  ASCAB led by a human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, vowed to drag the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, to the International Criminal Court in The Hague  if any of the #EndSARs protesters was killed by any soldiers.

The group, in a statement by Falana  titled, “#EndSARS: Kill protesters, face International Criminal Court, ASCAB cautions Buratai,”  urged the Federal Government to withdraw the plan to use soldiers to quell the protests.

The  ASCAB, said, “Buhari should not invite soldiers to resolve a purely democratic issue that calls for dialogue and constructive engagement.”

It noted that protests had common features across the world as seen in Hong Kong, the United States, France, South Africa, Belarus and  Sudan.

The group added that in no instance were soldiers deployed to suppress the protesters.  “Nigeria wants to set another ugly precedent in world history,” the group said.

It reminded the Federal Government that Operation Crocodile Smile had been declared illegal by a Nigerian court with competent jurisdiction following legal actions filed by Falana.

It added that efforts by the chief of army staff to challenge the order by approaching the Court of Appeal failed.

The coalition said, “Every bullet that goes out from the barrel of the gun is owned by the people of Nigeria. It is a crime under international law to release these bullets with the hope of taking human life.

“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 group said it was already monitoring and compiling lists of all rights extra-judicial killings associated with the protests and that Buratai or any soldier involved in any killings would be held personally responsible at the international court.

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

“Sending soldiers after school children and leaders of tomorrow shows what future we anticipate for the teeming population of young men and women who have taken to the streets to protest against a system that buries their dreams and shatter their potentials and aspirations.

“Nigerian authorities said on Saturday that soldiers would be deployed this week to bring an end to the weeklong demonstration over police brutality.

“We urge President Mohammadu 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.”

ASCAB said the protests were against symptoms of a system defect, institutional corruption and political exclusion,  adding that the earlier the tiers of government addressed the problems the better.

It said, “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.”

The group added that at the bottom of the crisis of nation building and insecurity in Nigeria was corruption, mismanagement of public funds and incompetence at all levels of governance.

13 protesters, victims of extrajudicial killings – 30 human rights groups

The News Agency of Nigeria reported on Sunday that a group, the Coalition Of 30 Human Rights Groups, condemned what it called “the use of violence” on #EndSARS protesters.

The coalition made this known at a news conference on the state of the nation on the violent repression of peaceful #EndSARS protesters across the country.

One of the conveners, Idayat Hassan, alleged that so far, the group had confirmed that at least 13 persons had been extra-judicially killed in the course of the peaceful protest.

She alleged that Oyo State recorded four deaths; Edo, two; Ondo, one; Osun, two; and Lagos four, in addition to attacks on peaceful assemblies in Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Plateau, Anambra, Kano and Osun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

Two lawyers, who spoke to The PUNCH, urged the International Criminal Court to hold the minister of information and culture responsible for any military attack on protesters.

One of them, Inibehe Effiong, said Nigerians had the right to freedom of expression under section 39 of the constitution and the right to freedom of assembly under section 40 of the constitution.

“I hope the international criminal court is also watching what is unfolding, because if any life is lost, on account of attack, either by the military or the police, Lai Mohammed and others should be held responsible,” he said.

Another lawyer, Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, who is the immediate past president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, also said Mohammed would be held responsible for any military attack on the protesters.

Oyo creates platforms to report police brutality

Meanwhile, following the decision  at the National Economic Council  on Thursday, more  state governments on Sunday set up panels to investigate police brutality.

Recall that the Kaduna State Government on Saturday set up a committee to investigate rights violations by the police.

On Sunday, the Oyo State Government said  it had created an email account and a section on the state’s website for residents of the state to report police brutality and rights violations.

The state government, in a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Taiwo Adisa,  said plans were in place to set up a judicial panel to look into the various forms of abuses and violations.

It added that names of members of the panel would soon be announced.

In a statement on Sunday by his media office, the Enugu State   Governor,  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, said he had set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate complaints against police brutality and related extrajudicial killings by SARS.

The governor  was quoted to have announced the setting up of the panel on Saturday, when he addressed the protesting youths of the state at the Government House, Enugu.

Oyedepo endorses #EndSARS protests

Also on Sunday, the Pastor and founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, endorsed the #EndSARS protests.

Protesters barricaded the road leading to the church in Ota, Ogun State on Sunday.

In his sermon, Oyedepo stated, “We have been having spates of protests across the nation. Every man  has a right to express his displeasure and pain.”

By Sunday Aborisade, Friday Olokor, Adelani Adepegba, Ade Adesomoju, Wale Oyewale and  Raphael Ede

source: punchng

#EndSARS: Airlines increase airfare of domestic flights

 Joseph Olaoluwa

Following the ongoing protests against police brutality in the country, airfares on domestic routes have increased.

The increase in the price regime was reflected by several carriers on weekend flights for one-way trips from Lagos to Abuja.

Before now, the cost of flights ranged from N27,000 to N38,000 depending on the class of ticket purchased.

However, Arik Air recorded N43, 944 for economy and N99,176 for business class tickets on Sunday, according to checks by our correspondent.

For Aero contractors, passengers were expected to cough out between N34,310 and N87,812 for flexible economy and business class respectively.

Dana Air was not left out as it prices ranged for N36,000 to N42,300 for economy Saver while Economy Flexible stood at 47,000.

Prices on Air Peace ranged from N38,800 to N60,000 for economy flexi while it recorded N80,000 for business for flights on October Sunday.

A potential passenger who identified himself simply as Wilson who sought a flight to Abuja told the PUNCH that the increase in airfares would make him settle for a bus instead.

He said, “I will rather take a bus to Abuja, seeing the increase in flight tickets.”

Operators, however, argued that the price increase was not as a result of the ongoing protests which have been the cause of gridlock across major highways in the country.

Speaking in a telephone interview, spokesperson for Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, said the increase in fares was not related to the planned protest.

He said, “We are always saying book early to get the best fares. We also have a progressive fare regime, whereas the flights are getting full, the fares will be increasing gradually. That is not to say there was a deliberate fare increase over the weekend. This is normal industry metrics.”

Spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, said, “That is our fare. The fares differ. It was not increased because of anything. Nothing must has influenced it.”

Aviation analyst, Olumide Ohunayo, said the spike in fares over the weekend could be linked to an increase in demand in terms of flight activities.

           Source: punchng

Adeboye’s son leads #EndSARS protest, hoodlums attack youths

 Our Correspondents

The #EndSARS protest continued in different parts of the country on Sunday, with several youths injured after they were attacked by hoodlums.

In Lagos, Leke Adeboye, the son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, joined other Nigerian youths at the state secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja.

Leke, who led the Sunday Church Service at the protest ground in front of the Lagos State Government House, said the demonstration signaled the beginning of a new Nigeria.

“I want all of us to know that this nation has been handed over to us slowly but surely by this singular move that we are all here representing our families, friends and nation. This is the beginning of the new Nigeria,” he said.

Also, protesters occupied the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with a canopy pitched in front of PUNCH Place, the corporate headquarters of Punch Nigeria Limited at Magboro, Ogun State.

They had loud speakers, a disc jockey and an ambulance stationed on the protest ground, as they sang and danced.

The protest caused gridlock both inward and outward Lagos for long hours.

In the Lekki area of Lagos, the youth arrested and handed over a co-protester, Yusuf Lawal, to the police for allegedly stealing the phone of another protester.

PUNCH Metro gathered that after Lawal stole the phone, he handed it over to an accomplice, who absconded with it.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said efforts were on to arrest the fleeing member of the gang.

Youths block CBN office in Abuja

In Abuja, the #EndSARS protesters occupied the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The mammoth crowd chanted ‘#EndSARS’ as they blocked the road and paralysed vehicular movement in the area.

The group had earlier spent some hours in front of the office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, before moving to the CBN located about two kilometres away.

A member of the movement, Phillips Uche, said seven hoodlums who attempted to attack the protesters were chased away.

Worshippers stranded in Benin

In Benin, the Edo State capital, thousands of worshipers coming from their churches were stranded.

Ekheuan Road in the city centre was most affected, as youths who had earlier planned the protest for Monday came out in large numbers on Sunday.

The worshippers and many others were either forced to trek to their destinations or those in vehicles forced to take alternative routes, while those who had no other routes to take were made to part with money.

In some cases, vehicles were attacked with sticks, clubs and hands.

Also, the entire stretch of the Auchi-Benin Road by the Eyaen area of the by-pass was blocked up to Aduwawa with only some commercial drivers chanting ‘Buhari must go,’ while driving dangerously through the road.

The Benin-Lagos highway was still under the control of the protesters, who also worshipped at the spot on Sunday, thus making it impossible for anybody coming in or going out of the city to meander through the streets roads.

There were also reported cases of robberies, phone and hand bang snatching by suspected hoodlums on Saturday night around Ring Road and Akpakpava areas of Benin City.

Meanwhile, a member of the women’s national handball team, Isoken Nosa-Odia, says hoodlums were paid to attack #EndSARS protesters on Friday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Nosa-Odia, who plays for Israeli side Hapeol Kiryat-Ono, said the hoodlums disrupted the protests along Plymouth Road.

The veteran of three African Games, in a post on her Facebook page, wrote, “Hoodlums were paid to attack peaceful protesters with guns, cutlasses, which resulted to one dead and few others seriously injured. This obviously was the reason they were paid; youths were paid to attack youths at the King Square.”

Bayelsa protesters attack IYC president

The newly elected President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Peter Igbifa, was on Saturday evening attacked by #EndSARS protesters in front of the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa.

The youth, who were waiting for Governor Douye Diri to address them, accused Igbifa of refusing to mobilise IYC to join the ongoing protests against police brutality across the country.

The IYC leader was said to be visiting the governor in company of a horde of bodyguards when he was attacked by the angry protesters, who called him a thief, while stoning him with sachets of water.

A spokesperson for the IYC, Ebilade Efereke, described the protesters’ action as “sacrilegious and unacceptable.”

The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, however, directed the state Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli, to immediately release a youth that was allegedly arrested during the protest.

Diri gave the order when he marched with the #EndSARS protesters to the police headquarters in Yenagoa.

One injured in cult clash in Kwara

One of the #EndSARS protesters on Sunday was injured at the General Post Office area, Ilorin, when a vehicle allegedly hit him during a disagreement.

An eyewitness said the misunderstanding started after a member of the Eiye cult called the attention of his colleagues to the presence of a rival cult member on the protest ground.

Another member of his group was said to have cautioned him not to bring cult differences to the protest ground.

As the argument continued, another cult member reportedly drove a car, which hit one of those involved in the argument, thereby injuring him.

“The victim is in a critical condition at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,” the witness added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.

Delta #EndSARS protesters demand restructuring

In Warri, Delta State, the protest took a new twist on Sunday when angry youths went on the streets with placards demanding immediate restructuring of the country.

The protesters blocked the ever-busy Effurun and DSC roundabouts in Uvwie Local Government Area, thus halting vehicular movements, and in effect causing heavy gridlock in the area.

Kwara gov condemns attacks on protesters

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Sunday condemned the attacks on the peaceful #EndSARS protesters in parts of Ilorin, describing the violent attacks as despicable and intolerable.

 The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye said, “I vehemently denounce the violent attacks on the protesters and I call on the security agencies to ensure that the dastardly act is addressed immediately.

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“The daredevil attackers must be identified, arrested and prosecuted immediately. The attacks must not go unchallenged.”

Controversy rages over Emmanuel’s N4m largesse to youths

In Akwa Ibom, the N4m allegedly doled out by Governor Emmanuel Udom to #EndSARS protesters last Tuesday has reportedly split the youth in the state.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the governor released the money shortly after he addressed the youth on that day following a request by the protesters for assistance to settle hospital bills of patients allegedly brutalised by the police, among other needs.

One of the aggrieved youths, who asked not to be identified, said he had been inundated with calls from his friends to produce the N4m he allegedly collected from the governor.

He said he was only given the sum of N500,000 for distribution to others, adding that he was not given N4m as claimed.

Akinlade supports youths

#ENDSARS protesters have vowed to hold a mega protest in some parts of Ogun State, including Sagamu Interchange, Oke-Mosan, Panseke, among other places in the state on Monday.

The planned mega protest was communicated through digital posters shared on many social media platforms, calling for interested people to join from 6am to 6pm.

This decision came as a former member of House of Representatives, Adekunle Akinlade, threw his weight behind the teeming Nigerian youths on the call for an end to police brutality in the country.

Akinlade, in a statement issued by his media aide, Azeez Adelani, said Nigerian youths were justified in their peaceful demands against the defunct SARS officers who have little or no regards for human lives and civil rights.

Police record 2,161 complaints, recover N6m bribe

The Complaint Responses Unit of the Nigeria Police Force says 2,161 complaints bordering on extortion, torture, money for bail, abuse of office and job racketeering were lodged against policemen across the country in 2019.

The unit also recovered a total sum of N6,667,000 bribes from various police formations, with N6m of the sum recovered at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad office in Awkwuzu, Anambra State.

These are contained in a release titled, ‘Highlights of 2019 Annual Report’ released on Saturday by the Officer-in-Charge of the CRU, ACP Markus Basiran.

“Lagos State Police Command has the highest number of cases with 506 (23.42 per cent) complaints, followed by FCT Abuja with 306 (14.16 per cent) and Rivers 214 (9.90 per cent),” the report said.

Workers’ union declares strike

In Oyo State, a workers’ union, All Workers Convergence, declared support for the youths protesting and seeking an end to police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria.

The AWC also declared a three-day strike in solidarity with the protesters, saying the protest was in the best interest of every segment of Nigeria.

The National Coordinator of the AWC, Andrew Emelieze, in a statement on Sunday, said the strike would commence on Tuesday, October 20.

By ‘Tana Aiyejina, Adelani Adepegba, Oladimeji Ramon, Deji Lambo, Afeez Hanafi, Adeyinka Adedipe, Daniels Igoni, Tunde Oyekola, Daud Olatunji, Dele Ogunyemi, Olufemi Olaniyi, Patrick Odey

source: PUNCH.

#EndSARS: Hoodlums vandalised four vehicles, police stations, says Ekiti CP

 

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo, has described as barbaric and wicked, an attack on some police facilities by hoodlums in the state on Saturday.

According to the CP, at least four vehicles parked at the Ikere Area Command as well as Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters were vandalised during an #EndSARS protest.

A statement on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, confirmed that properties worth millions of naira were damaged by some youths during the attack.

The statement partly read, ”The command implore parents, guardians and all stakeholders to warn their wards to refrain from engaging in any form of violent protest, or act that could alter the peace of our dear society.

“On Saturday, October 17, a group of hoodlums in their large numbers, in the name of protest, went wild and attacked Ikere Area Command as well as Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters, destroying items worth millions of naira in the process.

”Part of the items destroyed are; the Area Command and the Divisional Headquarters fences/gates, Area Command and Divisional Headquarters signposts, about 40 window glasses, four vehicles parked at the station and the roof of a building close to the station among others.

”The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Tunde Mobayo, however, condemns such attack on police properties and innocent citizens, noting that the attack could be described as barbaric, wicked and uncalled-for.

”The commissioner hereby enjoins those who wish to protest to be more organised in a way that should not affect the rights of other members of the society.

“They should be peaceful and should not give room for miscreants to hijack such peaceful protest.”

(NAN)

News NFL instructs clubs to close team facilities

 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / David Eulitt NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has instructed clubs to temporarily close team facilities, further restricting access in the face of the coronavirus pandemic

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has instructed clubs to close all team facilities, stepping up league efforts to combat the spread of new coronavirus.

According to a memo sent to all league clubs and reported on NFL.com, the shutdowns will continue to at least April 8.

Goodell told the teams the rules are meant to "ensure that all clubs operate on a level playing field, and that the NFL continues to conduct itself in a responsible way at this time."

All NFL clubs had already suspended normal business operations and barred players from team facilities unless they were there to receive medical treatment.

Most if not all clubs had a limited number of staff working in their offices even as health authorities around the United States recommended people stay at home in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

Now Goodell has told clubs that from Wednesday night the only personnel allowed at team facilities will be those providing ongoing medical treatment to players, and those required to maintain the security and operational capabilities of the facilities.

Teams will still be free to conduct the signing of players, long-distance evaluation of draft prospects, ticket sales and other tasks preparing for the 2020 season.

"The challenges we face are not unique -- many businesses and individuals throughout the country are experiencing and addressing similar issues," Goodell said. "Please be assured that the NFL is well-positioned to meet these operational challenges as we prepare to offer our fans and the country an outstanding 2020 NFL season."

The annual NFL draft of new talent is still scheduled to take place April 23-24, although the public events surrounding the selection process that had been planned in Las Vegas have been cancelled.

The 2020 NFL season is due to begin on September 10.

News: Tokyo begins Olympic task of reorganising Games

source: AFP

 AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI Countdown clocks in Tokyo have gone from displaying the number of days until the Games open to simply showing today's date and the time

Japan set about the unprecedented task of reorganising the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Wednesday after making the tough decision to postpone the Games by a year as the coronavirus pandemic locks down one third of the planet.

The dramatic step to shift the Olympics, never before seen in peacetime, upends every aspect of the organisation -- including venues, security, ticketing and accommodation.

In a move symbolic of the difficulties now facing Tokyo, Olympic countdown clocks in the city switched from displaying the number of days to go, instead simply showing today's date and the time.

"It's like taking seven years to build the world's biggest jigsaw puzzle and, with just one piece to go, having to start again but now with less time to finish," tweeted Craig Spence, spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee.

It is not even clear exactly when the rescheduled Games will take place, with the International Olympic Committee saying the new date would be "beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021".

Japan has framed Tokyo 2020 as the "Recovery Games" -- a chance to show the world it has bounced back from the "triple disaster" in 2011 when a massive earthquake sparked a tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear meltdown.


AFP / Fabrice COFFRINI The Olympics have only previously been interrupted by war


The delayed event -- still to be called Tokyo 2020 -- will now be a "testament to mankind's defeat of the new virus", said Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

He repeated that message in a Wednesday call with US President Donald Trump, in which the leaders agreed the Games would be "proof that humans have beaten the new coronavirus", a Japanese government spokesman said.

The Olympic flame "could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present", Japan and the IOC said in a joint statement.

- 'Way bigger than me' -

The quadrennial Olympics, which has weathered boycotts, terrorist attacks and protests, is the highest-profile event affected by the virus that has killed thousands and postponed or cancelled sports competitions worldwide.


GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Maddie Meyer Controversial swimmer Ryan Lochte said the coronavirus was bigger than the Olympics

The IOC had come under fire for appearing out of touch by sticking to its schedule, but it eventually bowed to the inevitable, citing the need to protect the health of athletes.

Bach said the postponement was "about protecting human life", with more than 11,000 athletes expected along with 90,000 volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of officials and spectators from all over the world.

US swimming star Ryan Lochte summed up the combination of disappointment and relief expressed by most athletes, after many had voiced anger at being asked to continue training during the pandemic.

"I was a little pissed off because I've been training my butt off and I've been feeling great," the 12-time Olympic medallist told the Los Angeles Times.

"But this whole thing is way bigger than me," Lochte added. "It's way bigger than the Olympians, it's affecting the entire world right now."


AFP/File / Kazuhiro NOGI Mascots are ubiquitous in Japan


There were similar feelings on the streets of Tokyo, which had won widespread praise for its preparations, with tickets in high demand and venues completed well ahead of schedule.

"It is disappointing for sure, but when you think about the health of athletes as well as spectators, I understand," IT engineer Momoko Doku told AFP on the bustling Shibuya crossing.

"The new coronavirus is spreading so fast in the world, and this is a very serious issue internationally," he said.

The Japanese media were also broadly supportive, although the Tokyo Shimbun daily screamed "surprise and embarrassment".

"It is like all the efforts of the last seven years are back to square one," the Nikkei business daily said.

- 'Let us hope' -

The Olympic torch relay, due to begin from Fukushima Thursday, has also been postponed but the flame will stay in the area until it is safe to begin.


 AFP / Behrouz MEHRI Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori used his own battle with health problems as inspiration for the challenges ahead

Organisers now have to wrestle with a host of unanswered questions: are the venues still available? What to do with ticket-holders and volunteers? How to fit the Games into a crowded 2021 sporting schedule?

The athlete's village was due to be renovated into more than 4,000 luxury apartments, hundreds of which have already been snapped up. Tens of thousands of hotel rooms will need to be cancelled and rebooked.

Japan and the organising committee were spending $12.6 billion on the Games and experts say they may need to spend around half that again to rearrange the event -- before hopefully recouping the losses when the Olympics are held.

Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori, an 82-year former prime minister and cancer survivor, pointed to his own health battles as inspiration for the difficult times ahead.

"We have no choice but to have hope. I myself suffered cancer... But I was saved by a new drug. I am here, allowed to live.

"Let us hope for these things."

burs-ric/sah/th