#EndSARS Is One Of Nigeria's Most Successful Protests, Lai Mohammed Says

The Minister of data and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the #EndSARS protest is one among the foremost successful demonstrations Nigeria has ever witnessed, press agency of Nigeria reports.

He, however, envisioned a far better Nigeria where the elemental human rights of individuals would be respected after the #EndSARS protests.

The minister, who spoke at a Special NAN Forum on Monday in Abuja, said the vision would, however, be achievable if the protesters would give peace an opportunity , end the protest and permit the govt to implement its unprecedented reform of the nation's security architecture.

Mohammed, who described #EndSARS as "one of the foremost popular and successful protests within the history of this country", regretted that the peaceful protest with genuine demands had been hijacked by hoodlums and other people with a selfish motive to destabilise the country.

He said the govt had started the method of unprecedented reform of the police and therefore the entire internal security structure following the #EndSARS protest.

"With every challenge, there's always a chance , and therefore the opportunity this protest has given us is to seem at a more holistic approach to reforming our internal security.

"For the primary time within the history of this country, a special police tactical unit is being formed which can be supervised not by a Police Command but a committee to be chaired by the governor of every state with representatives of youths and Civil Society Organisations.

"The committee chaired by the governor will have the responsibility to supervise the way the special security unit relates to the general public and perform its duties.

"The panel being put up will take complaints from the general public with regards to human rights abuses; this has never happened within the history of this country," he said.

Mohammed said following the #EndSARS protest, the govt unprecedentedly has directed the fixing of a judicial panel of enquiry in each state to research and prosecute erring security officers that had engaged in brutality and extrajudicial killings.

He said that it had been also the primary time that a government is fixing a Victim Support Fund to compensate victims of police brutality and extrajudicial killings within the 36 states and therefore the Federal Capital Territory.

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"In line with the new Police Act, officers to be enlisted within the new tactical police unit are going to be tested psychologically and mentally to make certain that they're fit the operations.

"This will put an enormous check on police abuse and extrajudicial killing which we've witnessed over the decades," he said.

Mohammed said that while the govt was within the process of implementing all the reforms, the #EndSARS group should end the protest which had already turned violent.

He reiterated that by allowing the govt to implement the reforms, the #EndSARS group would write their names in gold as champions of reformed internal security of Nigeria.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 20, 2020

Governor Akeredolu Sets Up 8-Member Judicial Panel To Investigate Police Atrocities

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has found out an eight-member judicial panel of inquiry to seem into cases of abuses and brutality committed by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) within the state. 

Mr Akeredolu constituted the panel members on Monday, consistent with a press release issued by the state's Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo.

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

The panel, headed by Justice Salisu Adesola Sidiq (Rtd), would also check out all complaints by members of the general public on alleged illegal activities of officers of Nigeria police in Ondo State.

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Terms of reference for the panel are: "to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extrajudicial killings by the police in Ondo State, to guage evidence and conclude the validity of complaints, and to recommend compensation and other remedial measures, and perform the other assignment which will be deemed necessary pursuant to the present purpose." 

The panel has six months to conclude the assignment and submit a report.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 20, 2020

Don’t Send Soldiers After #EndSARS Protesters, Gani Adams Tells President Buhari

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to not use soldiers to forcefully stop the #EndSARS protests that had gripped quite 20 states in Nigeria.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Army announced plans to begin 'Operation Crocodile Smile' amid the continued protests.

Gani Adams

In a letter to President Buhari on Sunday, Adams said he couldn't imagine soldiers being sent to prevent street protests, adding that the military was programmed to fight external aggression and not peaceful demonstators.

He added that using soldiers to quell protests by civilians had already been declared illegal by a Federal supreme court in July 2020.

Adams said, “I can’t imagine soldiers being sent to prevent protests. Soldiers are to fight external aggression. We are handling peaceful protesters. it's wrong to offer the impression that Nigeria is at war with its citizens. We must do everything to market and defend democratic culture.

"I condemn violence altogether forms. I strongly condemn the actions of some security operatives that murdered the protesters. The list available to me shows 20 people are killed across the country. I also condemn within the most profound manner the killing of any protester or the killing of any security official related to the protests.

"The protests are largely peaceful. The resort to violence by a neighborhood of the protesters is condemnable. it's uncalled for. Violence seeks veangace and creates wounds which scars never heal. Violence diminishes critical thinking, undermines democracy and destroys any noble intention of the protesters. It also questions the standard of these behind the protests. On the opposite hand, adoption of a violent response by the state should never be considered an option.

"I saw clips of the attack on the convoy of the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Gboyega Oyetola. this is often detasteful. within the same way I condemn the violent attacks on the convoy of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi. It's unfortunate that the incidence in Osun led to avoidable deaths.

"The police shouldn't just be reformed, it should be transformed. this is often the time for you to figure with the National Assembly to determine state and community policing system in line with the elemental principles of federalism. you've got a golden opportunity to try to to this. plow ahead and take the bull by the horn and save Nigeria from the potential of horrendous evil of a garrison state.”

Posted by Admin October 19, 2020

#EndInsecurityNow: DSS Detains Northern Group Leaders Over Planned Protest

Four officials of the Coalition of Northern Groups were on Friday detained by the Department of State Services.

Nastura Ashir Sharif, Balarabe Rufai, Aminu Adam and Dr Muhammad Nawaila were invited by Nigeria's police while concluding an appointment for a peaceful protest on the killings within the Northern a part of the country.

The group had issued a press release notifying the general public of their intention to occupy all the 19 Northern states and therefore the National Assembly.

CNG’s spokesman, Abdulazeez Suleiman, during a statement on Saturday said the group will plow ahead with protest despite what he described as an effort to suppress their rights.

“#EndInsecurityNow protests against the rampant killings in Northern Nigeria and displacement of many communities has come under intense pressure and intimidation within the previous couple of hours by the DSS which is hell bent suppressing the tearful voice of the Northerner.

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“The development saw officials of the CNG Nastura Ashir Sharif, Balarabe Rufai, Aminu Adam and Dr Muhammad Nawaila being invited by the DSS in Kano where they were held from 11pm Friday to 2:15am Saturday.

“Throughout their occupy the DSS office, they were incommunicado not answering calls on their phones and not returning an equivalent . We are on the alert.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 17, 2020

Police Officers Open Fire On Peaceful Protesters In Anambra

Police Officers in Anambra State opened fire on protesting youth, who marched to the office of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Awkuzu, Anambra State.

The protesters stormed the infamous office of SARS where many had been killed for no reason.

The protesters, who converged at Awka, the capital , walked 30km to Awkuzu.

When the protesters stormed the Awkuzu SARS office, policemen guarding the station shot live bullets and tear gas at them.

Some of the protesters saw uncompleted buildings and nearby houses to avoid being hit by bullets.

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Residents have raised the alarm that the police, in their usual manner, start raiding of innocent people in Awkuzu.

They claimed that the police usually arrest and kill many persons within the town.

The protesters have identified some SARS officials notorious for killing and have demanded that they're delivered to justice

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 17, 2020

#EndSARS: Ondo Governor Promises To Join Protest, Condemns Police Brutality

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has declared support for the protests across the country calling for an end to police brutality. 

The governor, who promised to hitch the protesting youth, said that there was a requirement to reform the Nigeria police during a bid to guard the rights of the citizens.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

He said his administration would found out a committee to receive complaints from members of the general public , who may need fallen victim.

According to Akeredolu, the committee are going to be headed by a retired chief judge and work shall commence next week.

He said, "SARS has ended but whether you've got a drag with SARS or not, there's not SARS in Nigeria.

"Your struggle has brought an end to SARS and you ought to give kudos to yourselves. once you mention police brutality, it's something not limited to the youth alone.

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"We all know that tons of families have experienced this (police brutality and attacks). People have lost their lives too. People have lost their limbs and therefore the police itself is conscious of this.

“From the President to the vice chairman and therefore the Inspector-General of Police, we all held a gathering yesterday at the National council and that we made it clear that there must be a reform of the Nigeria Police.

"It has got to be reformed and now we've to line up a committee to be headed by a retired chief judge and you all can file your complaints to them.

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"If you've got anybody who is under any detention anywhere within the state, you'll bring them to the notice of the committee.

“The committee would check out it and also make sure that they're released instantly. If they're entitled to compensation, the committee will recommend it.

"The committee will start work next week. i would like you to require advantage of that committee. All folks are in support of the struggle.

"Demonstration is important and you've got made it peaceful. i'm available, i might join you to demonstrate.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 17, 2020

BREAKING: Nigerians In France Join #EndSARS Protest, Ask Buhari, IGP To Resign

Some Nigerians in France on Friday morning joined the #EndSARS and #EndSWAT campaign currently happening across Africa's most populous country.

The young Nigerians demonstrated ahead of the Nigerian Embassy at the Hugo area of Paris, capital of France, to demand an end to police brutality and human rights abuses under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Calling for a complete reformation of the Nigeria police , the protesters asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to right away resign his position for overseeing a failed enforcement agency.

The young Nigerians in France also demanded the resignation of President Buhari over rising cases of killings, kidnappings and general insecurity within the country.

They also slammed Buhari for the poor State of Nigeria's economy, which has led to massive job losses for citizens.

Despite the police authorities announcing the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and announcing the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, Nigerians aren't backing down on their agitations for total reforms of the enforcement agency, pouring out more into the streets across different cities of the planet to push for change.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 16, 2020

Youths Beat Up Kano House Of Representatives Member Over Non-performance, Failed Promises

A member of the All Progressives Congress representing Dawakin Tofa/Tofa and Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, has been attacked by angry youth in his constituency, who alleged that he didn't deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

NaijaGistReporters gathered that the incident happened on Sunday when Jobe visited inagurate a project at Gulu, a village under Rimin Gado government Area.

A source said the lawmaker was beaten to a pulp by the youth, who accused him of creating false promises for several years.

“He was given severe beating by the angry youth on Sunday. 

"They said they attacked him due to his fake promises for several years,” the source said.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 16, 2020

Ondo Nurses Stage Protest Against Victimisation By Hospital’s Management

Nurses at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Ondo State have protested over alleged victimisation by the hospital authorities.

The nurses explained that they were always victimised anytime they demanded their rights including salaries. 

Some of them said they receive all kinds of queries daily from the authorities if they demanded their benefits.

The action, the nurses claimed, was making them feel depressed to continue performing at the government-owned hospital.

The protesting nurses accused the Director of Nursing Services at the teaching hospital, Ajetunmobi Fehintola Olayinka, of specifically victimising them. 

One of the nurses, who simply identified herself as Bisi, told SaharaReporters that the doctors were angry over the unfavourable actions of the hospital authority.

She said, "Anytime you demand your rights especially salary, subsequent thing you'd see may be a query.

"We are even disappointed that the authorities of the hospital don't even know the meaning of the query and when to use it.

"We are telling them that minor offenses only needed verbal warning and not queries which they need decided to form as a practice .

"But sadly, the office of the DNS has turned to an avenue for the victimisation of serving nurses who are always posing for their rights."

The DNS, Mrs. Olayinka.

Another nurse, who pleaded to not be named, said authorities of the hospital were wont to quoting government officials rules anytime a nurse challenged the established order . 

"So, we wonder how they can't detect that there's no a part of the government officials rules that say an employee should be owed a month’s salary to not talk about months", she added.

Mrs Olayinka, the hospital DNS, couldn't be reached when contacted by SaharaReporters but a source on the brink of her said "some of the nurses are always rude in their approach".

However, the protest comes barely three days after a nurse within the government hospital, Mr Taiwo Adeleke, dropped a suicide note following an alleged similar case of victimisation.

The nurse had gone on social media to call out the authorities of the hospital after they did not pay the salaries of the doctors within the facility.

But instead of addressing the salary issue, the authorities proceeded to issue a question to Adeleke over his action.

Concerned by things , the nurse again went on Ondo syyeto social media and wrote that he was "depressed" by the choice of the hospital authority.

He, thereafter, threatened to kill himself and went offline before he was declared missing by a number of his friends and families.

The nurse was later found and rescued to the emergence unit of the hospital after taking an unknown substance to kill himself.

Nurses and other doctors within the state are agitating for the payment of their salaries for the past three months and above.

The government has been making promises to offset the salary of the doctors .

The DNS, Mrs. Olayinka.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 14, 2020

Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 14 Farmers In Borno

Boko Haram terrorists have killed 14 farmers in Borno State, members of an area vigilante group said on Tuesday.

Sources told AFP that insurgents on Monday seized 15 farmers performing on their irrigation fields in Ngwom Village, 14 kilometres (nine miles) North of Maiduguri, and cut their throats.

“They slaughtered the farmers, killing 14 while one survived with a deep slash. They left him for dead,” Babakura Kilo, an area of the vigilante group, said.

The insurgents captured the farmers as they attended their crops during the first afternoon, giving them no room to flee , said another member, Ibrahim Liman, who gave an equivalent price .

The survivor was taken to a hospital during a “life-threatening condition,” Liman said.

READ ALSO: Soldiers, Police In Show Of Force, Gridlock Grounds Benin

Boko Haram and rival group, Islamic State West Africa Province, have increasingly targeted loggers, herders and fishermen in their violent campaign, accusing them of spying and spending information to the military and therefore the local militia fighting them.

At least 36,000 people are killed within the conflict, which has displaced around two million from their homes since 2009.

The violence has spread into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the militants.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 13, 2020

Police Randomly Arresting, Brutalising Young People In Delta State

Police officers in Delta State have continued to engage in indiscriminate arrest and brutalisation of youths.

The police have targeted young people in Ughelli area of the state, detaining and extorting them.

NaijaGistReporters gathered that any youth arrested will cough out as much as N200,000 before they are released.

Recall that NaijaGistReporter had reported that this incessant arrest began after a clash between the police and youth clamouring for #ENDSARS in the state on Thursday.

At the protest in Delta on Thursday, the police shot a youth in the leg and forcefully dispersed the demonstrators.

In the ensuing melee, a police officer was killed while another was wounded.

READ ALSO: Police Bow To Pressure, Releases Detained #EndSARS Protesters In Ogun After Calls By Sowore, Others

The police in a statement on Thursday said a discreet investigation will be done.

Shortly after that period, policemen took to the streets randomly to arrest youths.

Some of those affected, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said the police led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ughelli engaged in night raids and arrested many youth.

One of the youth said, "The DPO of Ughelli Police Station started arresting innocent people every night and day. Lots of them are now in Okere and some that have connections are allowed to bail themselves with the sum of N200,000 and others N350,000 and the ones without connection are taken to Okere.

"Some have been moved to Asaba and their family don't know where they are. At the moment, many youth in Ughelli are on the run.

"Policemen now secretly go to the houses of those that protested during the day to arrest them at night. Those that don't agree to follow them are killed secretly.

"A young man was dragged out of his car and hit to death in front of Ughelli Police Station.

"We are not safe, we are on the run. All the youth are now running to different places."

Nigerian youth have been embarking on peaceful protests for several days now to demand the scrapping of SARS, reform of the police and an end to police brutality.

Following the unending agitation, the police have disbanded SARS and President Muhammadu Buhari has promised a total reform of the law enforcement agency.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 13, 2020

Police Bow To Pressure, Releases Detained #EndSARS Protesters In Ogun After Calls By Sowore, Others

Some #EndSARS protesters arrested by the police in Ogun State on Saturday are released after pressure from Nigerian human rights activists including Omoyele Sowore.

Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this on Sunday.

He said, “I can confirm that, following my instruction to the Commissioner of Police, detained protest organisers are released from detention.”

The protesters were arrested on Saturday with the police claiming that their peaceful protest turned violent.

In order to border them, NaijaGistReporters gathered that the safety agency planted guns in their cars.

Calling for his or her release on Sunday, Sowore described the brute force displayed by the police on harmless Nigerians as undemocratic and uncalled for.

According to the rights activist, the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a notorious police unit, was only one out of various rots within the Nigerian system that has got to be corrected.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had earlier on Sunday announced the disbandment of SARS after days of public outrage across the country.

Adamu during a Facebook Live broadcast to Nigerians on Sunday afternoon said, “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police is hereby dissolved and every one officers serving within the unit are to be redeployed with immediate effect."

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 11, 2020

President Buhari, IGP, Yet To Address Nigerians 72 Hours After Protest Erupted In Cities Nationwide Over Police Brutality

The Nigerian Government is yet to deal with citizens after protests erupted in cities round the country since Wednesday over police brutality and other rights violations.

The protesters, who took to streets in Lagos, Abuja, Osun, Benin and other parts of the country, are demanding the entire disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the police notorious for harassing and extorting citizens.

The police during a bid to quell the protest on Friday opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Abuja, Delta and parts of Lagos.

READ ALSO: FG, others share N5.3trn in 8 months

President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to deal with the grievances of the protesters quite 72 hours after the agitations began.

The protesters have vowed to stay on the streets until their demands were met.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

Truck Crushes Newly Married Woman, Three Others To Death In Kaduna

At least four persons including a newly wife were killed when a truck loaded with sand saw a motorbike and tricycle expecting traffic signal at Kaduna Refinery Junction along Kachia Road under Chikun government Area of Kaduna State.

Though the explanation for the accident is yet to be ascertained, eyewitness accounts, however, linked the incident to Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental enforcement Agency staff.

The incident drew the ire of youths within the area, who trooped call at large numbers to barricade the road, leading to long traffic.

It took the intervention of security personnel to disperse the angry youth.

READ ALSO: Many Children In Nigeria Out Of School, Millions Extremely Poor, Says Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

Another source, however, blamed the driving force for speeding while all attempts by KASTELEA officials to prevent him fell on deaf ears. 

He said the truck was coming from the Marabah Rido axis and on approaching the KRPC t-junction, the driving force saw the traffic signal on red but attempted to beat the traffic signal .

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

#EndSARS Protesters To Spend Third Night Outside Lagos Assembly

Protesters in Lagos calling for an end to police brutality within the county perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad will spend a 3rd night demonstrating, NaijaGistReporters can confirm.

The protests, which started on Wednesday, are peaceful, disrupted largely by officers of the Nigeria police .

The demonstrators will conduct sit-out overnight ahead of the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa after vowing to not leave until SARS was disbanded.

READ ALSO:Election: APC, PDP Planning To Import Thugs For Election, Says Ondo Deputy Governor

One of the protest organisers, Juwon Sanya-Olu, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Friday evening said, “We are going to be here all night. No going back, we'll eat here, we've asked a DJ to return and play us music and that we are going to be here until our demands are met.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

For Daring Us, We Will Launch Radio Biafra In Daura, IPOB Tells Buhari

The Indigenous People of Biafra has dared President Muhammadu Buhari to prevent them from launching Radio Biafra in Daura, his hometown.

The Nigerian Government had on Wednesday approved N654m for the deployment of hybrid spectrum monitoring system that might target illegal frequencies within the Southern a part of the country especially, the South-East.

According to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, his ministry has uncovered 320 frequencies getting used everywhere the country out of which 106 were illegal.

IPOB during a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said, “The attention of the worldwide movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the approval of N654m by the federal of Nigeria to watch and crash Radio Biafra frequencies within the country particularly in South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.

“This wicked but futile decision was taken during their Federal council meeting held Wednesday, 7th of October 2020.

READ ALSO: DSS, CAC Frustrate Registration Of Human Rights Group, Offer No Explanation

“That the federal of Nigeria headed by President Muhammadu Buhari planned out such a whopping amount of cash for this unreasonable project despite its precarious economic state only confirms it’s jittery over the name IPOB. We thought they said we are miscreants? why they're now losing stay over miscreants?

“The Nigerian Government and its agents have spent quite this amount within the past and zip came out of it. We expect them to approve extra money for the fight because they need to understand that they're going to try but cannot withstand IPOB and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Such attempts within the past amounted to efforts in futility, and this point , they're going to fail again.

“In fact to convince them how formidable we are, within six weeks from now, IPOB will launch Radio Biafra in Daura, the hometown of Buhari who presided over the FEC that took this foolish decision. Any time he vists Daura along side Aisha, they're going to receive Radio Biafra frequency and hear the gospel of freedom by our leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Then he will know that the cabal, their sponsors and slaves are not any match to indefatigable IPOB.

“In case they're unaware, Radio Biafra isn't only received in Biafraland but in various parts of Nigeria. it's also the selection station of many audience in over 100 countries of the planet . We are well before Nigeria, and it’s far too late to prevent Biafra.”

NaijaGistReporters.

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

Aviation Minister, Sirika, Accused Of Withholding Staff Salaries To Fulfill Governorship Ambition, Union Threatens Strike Action

Top aviation sources have revealed to NaijaGistReporters that Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, was deliberately holding on to workers' salaries and allowances during a bid to boost enough money to contest subsequent governorship election in Katsina State.

It was also gathered that the minister during a bid to boost funds needed to understand his ambition, was doing all he can to sell the country's airports.

He is said to be working hard to prove that government could not manage the facilities with great care he can auction them off and lift some money for his governorship ambition.

He is said to be keen on selling the four major airports in Nigeria -- Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

Sirika has also been accused of using his cronies to go agencies like Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, National Airport Management Authority, Accident Investigation Bureau, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

The minister is believed to be raising money illicitly through these agencies to satisfy his governorship ambition in Katsina State.

Despite owing salaries, the minister has just recruited 280 more staff into FAAN, who are all from the Northern a part of the country, it had been gathered.

About 26 of them are posted to Lagos international airport and have started documentation without taking any tests as normal employment procedure demands.

Angered by this and other issues affecting their welfare, aviation workers under the platforms of National Union Of air transportation Employees, air transportation Services Senior Staff Association Of Nigeria, And Association Of Nigeria Aviation Professional, during a letter addressed to the director and Chief military officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, said that they might start immediate strike action if their demands weren't met.

"Due to continuing unilateral actions by the management of FAAN leading to ever increasing delays and staggering of salaries payments which has become unbearable, our unions have decided that things can not be tolerated thanks to the uncontrollable damage to workers welfare and smooth operation of FAAN.

READ ALSO: Commercial tricycle operators sue Kano over N8,000 sticker

"Accordingly, management is hereby notified that if within seven days from the date of the notice all shortfalls in salary payments aren't fully rectified and settled, our unions will commence an indefinite industrial action against the authority," the letter partly reads.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

Again, Police Attack #FreeZakzaky Protesters In Abuja

Determined to silence their agitation, cops in Abuja have again launched a violent attack on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria popularly referred to as Shiites, during a protest to demand the liberty of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and wife, Zeenat.

The police attacked the peaceful and unarmed protesters using teargas and water cannons to suppress their demands for the liberty of El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since December 2015.

Secretary of the tutorial Forum of the movement, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the attack while speaking with NaijaGistReporters.

He said members of the group were commemorating

he Arba'een symbolic trek, which ends with a march to demand the liberty of El-Zakzaky when the police swooped on them.

He said after the police took over venue of the protest, the IMN members moved to a different venue to carry the demonstration but the enforcement agents followed, attacked and arrested many of them.

Musa said, “We are commemorating the Arba'een symbolic trek which started yesterday and alleged to end today with massive free El-Zakzaky protest within the town but unfortunately the police arrived earlier at the scene where the protest was to start out .

“They occupied the world in Wuse Market and arrested numerous innocent passers-by while the protesters moved to Utako Market in Utako District of Abuja.

“The protest started peacefully but at Berger Bridge the police launched the attack with none provocation by the demonstators.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Nine Persons, Abduct Many In Fresh Attack On Katsina Communities

“After the attack, we moved to Federal Secretariat and protested and it ended peacefully because the police were busy arresting innocent people around Wuse, Berger and Utako”

The IMN vowed to not be intimidated by the actions of the police until El-Zakzaky was freed.

“We involve the unconditional release of our leader Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah.

“We will still protest regardless of the attack and arrest by the authorities until the sheikh, his wife et al. in detention since December 2015 are let loose ,” he added.

Many members of the IMN are arrested and killed by police during peaceful protests.

On January 21 this year, while attacking protesters, the police killed a journalist with Regent Africa Times, Alex Ogbu, in Abuja.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 09, 2020

Human Right Violations By SARS Increase Despite Numerous Training

Nigerians have continued to share their harrowing encounters with the dreaded Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) despite many training on human rights for the cops .

FSARS, a special unit under the Nigerian police, was established to require charge of specific functions about crime prevention and control also on secure lives and property.

But their direct contact with members of the general public has led to extortion, torture and other reported human rights abuses.

The Nigerian government had, on several occasions, put together training and workshops for the officers on the way to be disciplined and professional within the discharge of their duties.

Instead of the training to enhance the human rights record of FSARS, the officers have continued to violate the rights of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: FG, others share N5.3trn in 8 months

The police authority had in 2018 engaged German government and trained many officers in 37 FSARS formations within the country.

As a part of the measures to overhaul the unit, the Nigeria police organised a two-week training on human rights for 135 operatives drawn from 37 FSARS formations within the country.

Also, a person's rights activist and Convener of Nigerians Unite Against Terror, Dr Joe Odumakin, in 2016, organised training for the cops to be civil in handling the citizens.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, had in 2019 ordered a complete reorganisation of the unit of the force mode of operations with a stress on orientation, ethics and performance delineation.

As a part of the reforms and new standard operating procedures and code of conduct for all FSARS personnel, human rights desk officers were mandated to receive complaints on rights abuses by operatives of the special squad.

READ ALSO: SARS to join Naira Marley, others to protest on Tuesday

They were also asked to not become involved in civil and commercial cases and forbidden from escorting private individuals.

From all indications, the special squad has continued to work outside the norms because the officers still intervene in civil cases and torture their victims recklessly. 

The Nigerian authorities have did not prosecute one officer from the notorious activities despite anti-torture legislation passed in 2017 and evidence that its members still use torture and other ill-treatment to execute, punish and extract information from suspects.

Amnesty International documented a minimum of 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial execution by FSARS between January 2017 and should 2020.

The Nigerian Senate had on several occasions investigated alleged human rights abuses by the squad, but tangible actions had been taken to restrain the excesses of the FSARS apart from occasional pronouncements of reforms by the govt .

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 07, 2020

Change Your Tactics, Attack Boko Haram In Hideouts, Borno Governor Tells Nigerian Army

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno State, has asked the Nigerian Army to attack Boko Haram hideouts if it intends to finish the insurgency within the North-East.

The region has been suffering from violent extremism since 2009 and therefore the situation has continued to escalate under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zulum, who has been attacked a minimum of 3 times by the terrorists in but a month, also said all heads of military commands must be competent if the war must be won.

Babagana Zulum

He made the comment in Borno on Tuesday while speaking at a conference.

The governor said, “We must even have the courage to inform one another the common truth and be critical of the troops’ operations when things fail .

READ ALSO: Nigerian Soldier Fighting Boko Haram Commits Suicide, Leaves Letter For Wife

“As a part of the ten-point agenda of this administration, the Borno government shall sustain its role as a stakeholder in supporting the activities of the Nigerian Army, through the supply of all the needed support and morale-boosting mechanism to all or any the safety agencies to finish the fight against Boko Haram crisis.

“In this direction, I wish to ask the Nigerian Army to vary the war narratives all at once so as to finish the crisis.

“Attack, they say, is that the best sort of defence. 

“The Nigerian Army must need to take the war to all or any the hideouts of Boko Haram.

“You shouldn't wait and provides the terrorists a chance for the primary attack. you ought to as a matter of policy, start critical clearance operation after successful execution of attacks.

READ ALSO: Soldiers, Police In Show Of Force, Gridlock Grounds Benin

“The Nigerian Army must also start confidence-building and confidence sharing mechanism with the communities and civil authorities they find themselves, so on expose the terrorists, their collaborators and sponsors.”

He called on Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, to deploy only commanders loyal and competent to man locations.

“Sir, in appraising the performance of the Nigerian Army, there's a requirement to seem at the critical problems with competence, dedication and doggedness of officers and men of the Nigerian soldiers .

“Let me re-emphasise the necessity for having competent and dedicated officers to go the military commands; because from my little observation, it's noted that each one the locations headed by competent and dedicated officers hardly fall under the hands of the insurgents. 

Therefore we've to weigh the importance of loyalty and competence, which is extremely important,” he said.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 07, 2020

Group Reminds Ondo Governorship Candidates Of Visa Ban, Tasks Abdulsalami Committee On Electoral Reforms

Ondo map Situation Room

The Centre for Liberty has urged candidates participating within the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State to abide by the peace accord they signed and commit themselves to a violence-free poll.

The group during a statement by its Co-conveners, Ariyo-Dare Atoye and Adebayo Raphael, asked security agencies to measure up to their responsibilities by protecting staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

The statement reads, “On Saturday, October 10, 2020, the great people of Ondo State will attend the polls to exercise their democratic right to vote for candidates of their choice. Despite the unfortunate occurrences of violence before the polls, and through pre-election campaigns, we are optimistic that security agencies will live up to their responsibility on polling day by protecting the permanent and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. 

READ ALSO: It Appears God Wants Igbo To Be President In 2023, Ex-Anambra Governor, Ezeife Says

“However, because the governorship candidates participating within the election are made to sign a peace accord and plan to a violence-free election, we wish to remind them to abide by this agreement as there's no alternative to a reputable election during a democracy. 

“It has been made clear by our foreign partners, that any plan to undermine the credibility of the electoral process shall attract international sanctions, and as a corporation , we shall not hesitate to demand for visa ban against any erring official or personality. it's a part of the mandate of our organisation, Centre for Liberty, during this election to guage the conduct of political parties, their candidates and supporters, security agencies and other electoral stakeholders. 

“Meanwhile, we wish to understand the big contribution of the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee in continuing to galvanize peace initiatives before and through our elections, also as in committing all the stakeholders to electoral stability.

“While the first step of the NPC is laudable, we however, wish to encourage the group to equally plan to an everlasting electoral reforms which will institutionalize their peace framework, and guarantee free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

Opadokun, Ezeife Knock Buhari Over N10bn Fund For Census, Say Agenda Not In National Interest

A cheiftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, has described the approval of N10bn for Enumeration Area Demarcation in 546 government areas within the country by President Muhammadu Buhari as a waste of public fund and not within the interest of Nigerians.

The EAD is that the process of delineating the whole acreage of the country into small geographical and demographic units. 

The EAD may be a preparatory exercise for the particular census.

Opadokun while speaking with NaijaGistReporters on Tuesday described the exercise as premeditated and aimed toward favouring the interest of a specific region of the country.

He said this government cannot conduct a reputable , free and fair census unless the country went back to the federal constitution of 1960 upon which Nigeria secured her independence.

READ ALSO: Commercial tricycle operators sue Kano over N8,000 sticker

He said, "Now that they need voted another N10bn, I even have little question in my mind that it's just another instance of wasting public fund aside from public interest because it's meant to realize a specific agenda which is to suit the interest of current political operators.

"Nigeria had never had any credible census even from the times of the colonial masters. we've it on record how British collaborated and assisted to control the so-called census.

"So from that point upward, we've never succeeded in conducting free, fair and credible census."

Speaking further, Opadokun attributed the falsification and manipulation of census figures within the past to the prolonged military rule out the country, which favoured a specific section of the country. 

He said, "If you mention restructuring, resource control, IPOB and therefore the likes, all of them are an equivalent thing. we should always return thereto negotiated federal constitution which our ethnic nationalities and nationalists prescribed because they recognised that Nigeria was an heterogeneous society with multiplicity of language, religion and custom.

READ ALSO: DISCO agent drugs 14-yr-old girl with 200ml tramadol, rapes her

"So, unitary government can never add an heterogeneous society. it'll certainly create injustice, inequity, abysmal disregard for the defence and promotion of rule of law.

"Nigeria has been clearly possessed by a specific set of individuals while people are onlookers." 

On his part, a former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, condemned the timing of the census, adding that this government couldn't be trusted with the exercise.

He said, "It appears they do not care. Some people begin to suspect that a much bigger secession attempt by the govt in power for a gaggle of Northerners and that they are pushing everything towards the North. they're pushing every project to the North. they're pushing every appointment to the North. 

"Census and election and such national activities are not any guarantee of fairness. Conscience is dead in Nigeria and what we've is comprehensive corruption and within the process nothing is sacrosanct and zip are often guaranteed.

"The only important thing now's to restructure. If you restructure and maintain some quite justice, then you'll talk about census but now it's not the proper time."

Recall that census had become a controversial issue in Nigeria to the extent that two had been annulled within the past (1973 and 1991).

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

Many Children In Nigeria Out Of School, Millions Extremely Poor, Says Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

Nigeria’s vice chairman , Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the country’s reality is that many citizens are extremely poor while many students are out of faculty .

He made the admission while speaking at the top of a two-day executive-legislative leadership retreat held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Osinbajo said Nigerians just want basic amenities for themselves and their children and asked lawmakers to reflect these aspirations while completing their legislative duties.

Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

He said, “Let me say that each generation of leadership must understand the context. Law itself must be interpreted and implemented in context.

“What is that the reality of the context that we operate in today? We all know, our nation has many extremely poor people, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened employment and poverty

READ ALSO: Concerned Nigerians Group Condemn Harassment Of Wike, Other PDP Leaders Ahead Of Governorship Election In Edo

“We have huge deficits in infrastructure, many children are out of faculty . If that's our context, we'll be callous and irresponsible if we don’t close , work together to mapped out these grave life-threatening problems our people need to confront a day .

“It is time to specialise in what we've been elected or appointed to try to to . this is often the welfare of our people. The law and practice as between parliament and executive may be a means to an end not an end to itself. The means must not jeopardise the top .

“Our people just want food on their table, shelter over their heads, clothing on their bodies, healthcare and education for his or her children and themselves.

“So, the great legislature or good minister isn't the one who is waving the law, and procedure, and doctrines, it's the one who says the spirit of our constitution is that we secure the utmost welfare, freedom, and happiness of each citizen on the idea of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.

“The good legislator or minister is that the one who will do beat his or her power to serve the requirements of our people, albeit it means walking the fine lines, as Hon Wudil said between the law and reality.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

1 In 10 Persons Globally Infected By Coronavirus, World Heading To Difficult Period —WHO

The World Health Organisation has said that roughly one in 10 persons worldwide are infected with COVID-19, which leaves the remainder of the world's population susceptible to the disease.

Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergency expert, made this known on Tuesday while addressing the chief Board of the health agency. 

He said, “Our current best estimates tell us about 10% of the worldwide population may are infected by this virus. It varies counting on the country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies counting on groups.

READ ALSO: IBEDC appeals to customers over poor electricity supply

"But what it does mean is that the overwhelming majority of the planet remains in danger .

“We are now heading into a difficult period. The disease continues to spread.”

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

Nigerian Government Orders Investigation Into COVID-19 School Feeding Funds Found In Personal Accounts

The Nigerian Government has ordered an investigation into claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission that N2.67bn meant for feeding school pupils during the COVID-19 lockdown were found within the account of personal individuals.

Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, made the announcement on Tuesday.

The ICPC had raised the alarm that N2.67bn released to 104 unity colleges during the lockdown for meal subsidies were within the accounts of some private individuals.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Nine Persons, Abduct Many In Fresh Attack On Katsina Communities

Reacting to the order, however, Ben Goong, Director, Press and PR , Federal Ministry of Education, said principals of the 104 colleges claimed payments on meal subsidies to unity colleges on the govt Integrated Financial Management data system platform was designed to accommodate individual officers of these colleges officially recognised to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors.

The principals said this followed difficulties encountered by farmers, local food vendors and market women, who don't have Tax Identification Numbers, PENCOM and other requirements to access the payment platform. 

They added that payments made during the lockdown were associated with debt owed vendors before the pandemic began.

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

It Appears God Wants Igbo To Be President In 2023, Ex-Anambra Governor, Ezeife Says

A former governor of old Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, on Monday said from the design of things, it seemed God had willed the Igbo to supply subsequent President of the country.

Ezeife spoke at the Prof Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State during a summit for the grand opening of the worldwide Movement for Igbo Presidency 2023, Punch reports.

Chukwuemeka Ezeife

He commended the initiator of the worldwide Movement for Igbo Presidency, Kennedy Iyere, from Edo State.

He said, "It appears God in heaven is saying it's time for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.

"Other Nigerians seem to believe Igbo President quite the Igbo people.

READ ALSO: FBI uncovers fresh evidence against Hushpuppi

"Igbo are the event agents of Nigeria. We make Nigeria look more sort of a nation. We believe culturally in developing any a part of the planet we discover ourselves in.

"We need to tend an opportunity , and that i am glad that our people within the Diaspora and from other tribes unanimously agree that an Igbo president is what Nigeria must take subsequent strides towards development," he said.

Senator Ben Obi enjoined major political parties to allot their presidential tickets to the South-East in 2023 for fairness and equity.

Obi noted that it had been just one occasion , 54 years ago, that an Igbo man ruled the state .

He said, "The last time Igbo ruled this nation was during the military regime 54 years ago; during Aguiyi Ironsi's era, and it lasted for just 194 days.

"For this project of Igbo Presidency to be possible, certain variables must be put in situ . All political parties, especially the ruling parties--APC and PDP--must zone their presidential ticket to the South-East."

NaijaGistReporters

Posted by Admin October 06, 2020

DSS, CAC Frustrate Registration Of Human Rights Group, Offer No Explanation

For the seventh time within the last three years, the Department of State Services and company Affairs Commission have frustrated the registration of a civil society group, Concerned Nigerians.

NaijaGistReporters gathered that the DSS stopped the CAC from issuing the group led by Deji Adeyanju the certificate of incorporation even after it had been duly registered after the seventh attempt.

“On June 13, 2020, the commission granted approval for the reservation of the group’s name. The commission introduced the need that each one persons seeking to register an incorporated trustees must apply and acquire the consent of the Registrar General.

READ ALSO: Commercial tricycle operators sue Kano over N8,000 sticker

“The registration was therefore queried on this ground. We subsequently applied for the Registrar General’s consent to use the name and consent was granted on July 17, 2020.

G

“Days after consent was granted, the registration was approved on the commission’s upload portal. a fast glance on the undersigned’s data page on the commission’s registration portal also shows that the Incorporated Trustees was registered by the commission on August 4, 2020.

“However, as at this point , the certificate of incorporation is yet to be sent to the group,” a source conversant in the registration told NaijaGistReporters.

Concerned Nigerian has within the last five years defended human rights and rule of law in Nigeria.

Posted by Admin October 05, 2020

Bandits Kill Customs Officer, Nine Others, Kidnap 20 Farmers In Katsina

The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Bureau of Customs has been thrown into mourning following the murder of 1 its officers by bandits at a checkpoint in Dan Arau Village along the Katsina/Jibiya Highway.

Garba Nasiru, who was an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, was killed on Friday afternoon.

According to Katsina Post, security operatives engaged the bandits during a gun duel before his corpse might be retrieved from them.

Nine other persons were also killed by the gunmen within the state.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Nine Persons, Abduct Many In Fresh Attack On Katsina Communities

Efforts to urge comments from the customs divisional headquarters within the state proved abortive but sources within the division disclosed that the late officer had since been buried consistent with Islamic rites.

Spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, however, confirmed the incident but didn't explain .

He said, “Yes, the incident was true; bandits killed a customs officer at the Dan Arau Village checkpoint but approached the customs for details.”

In a similar incident, armed bandits also kidnapped 20 people performing on their farms in Mallamawa Village under Jibia government Area consistent with local sources on Sunday.

Katsina State has recently been within the news following renewed attacks by bandits, a development that has sparked protests by residents and visits of security chiefs to the state as a part of efforts to tackle the matter .

Posted by Admin October 05, 2020

Effective Leaders Listen, Sam Adeyemi Tells Presidency Over Restructuring Issue

Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, has joined many Nigerians to demand for restructurin

Adeyemi queried the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, over his statement that the Nigerian Government wouldn't succumb to threats emanating from some quarters within the country.

Shehu had within the statement described recent involves the restructuring of the country as “recurring threats to the company existence of the country”.

But Adeyemi via his verified Twitter handle stressed that effective leaders must hear the views of citizens and take appropriate actions.

READ ALSO: CBN approves new cheque standard for banks

When did it become a threat for citizens to precise opinions, albeit strong, about the structuring or restructuring of their country? Effective leaders listen.

— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 5, 2020

Earlier, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, warned of a possible collapse of Nigeria if the Muhammadu Buhari-led government did not restructure the country.

He said the restructuring of the country must be done “as soon as possible” to forestall a breakup of the varied social-ethnic components that made up Nigeria.

“Without any doubt, we must restructure and roll in the hay as soon as possible. A us of Nigeria is more likely to survive than our present structure,” he said.

Posted by Admin October 05, 2020

Election: APC, PDP Planning To Import Thugs For Election, Says Ondo Deputy Governor

Agboola Ajayi, deputy governor of Ondo State and candidate of Zenith Labour Party , has called on the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services to reorganise the safety architecture of the state to curb violence during Saturday's governorship election within the state.

Ajayi, who made the decision during a statement by his media aide, Allen Sowore, on Monday, alleged that candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party , Eyitayo Jegede, had recruited thugs to unleash attack on members of opposition parties and residents of the state on polling day .

The ZLP candidate added that the plan of the 2 political parties was to usher in armed thugs from neighbouring states like Kogi, Ekiti and Lagos to cause chaos during the election. 

The statement reads, "The deputy governor and candidate of the Zenith Labour Party , Agboola Ajayi, has uncovered a clandestine plan by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and therefore the Peoples Democratic Party to attack innocent citizens of Ondo State before and through October 10 governorship election within the state. 

READ ALSO: CAMA Law Will Help Nigerian Government Tackle Corruption —Buhari

"The callous decide to bring thugs from Lagos through Epe waterway, Ekiti, Kogi and Oyo States is a component of an orchestrated decide to unleash terror on perceived opponents during the election in Ondo State. 

"The Peoples Democratic Party and every one Progressives Congress have practically turned Ondo State to a theatre of war because the 2020 governorship election draws nearer through incessant attacks and retaliation, which caused panic and palpable fear within the electorate.

"The deputy governor and candidate of Zenith Labour Party is left with no other option than to turn the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and other security agencies to require proactive action with a view to curbing the ugly trend in Ondo State.”

Posted by Admin October 05, 2020