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Tag: #ENDSARS

#EndSARS Aftermath: Gbajabiamila visits sites of damaged properties in Surulere, Lagos
…commends police for restoring law and order
…Constituents recount ordeals

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday visited the sites of damaged public and private facilities in his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos.
The Speaker, whose visit came after the looting spree that took place in Surulere following the reactions to the #EndSARS Lekki tollgate shootings, addressed the residents at Shitta Roundabout, Surulere, visited affected shops and the Bode Thomas Police Station.
In his address to residents and traders who gathered at the Shitta area of Surulere, Gbajabiamila assured his constituents that the former anti-robbery team codenamed SARS has been totally disbanded by the president.
“You have all spoken, and the government heard you loud and clear. While in Abuja where you sent me to represent you, I heard all your complaints. All that happened in Lekki is what we have all seen and it is being investigated, but you see the social media has its good and bad until it’s fully unravelled that we can know the next step to take.”
“On the issue of EndSARS, you should all know that I am there for you as your representative. It’s all you want we are going to do. EndSARS cannot come up again, because there is no more SARS. You see all that happened at Adeniran Ogunsanya and Bode Thomas, I can boast that it was not carried out by children from Surulere, we all know they came from outside Surulere because I know my own people. Surulere shall continue to prosper by the grace of God”, Gbajabiamila said.
The Speaker proceeded from Shitta to Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall where he spoke to many business owners who gave various accounts of how the damages done to their businesses were executed.
According to a business owner at AOS Mall, Mr. Oladimeji Ogunniyi, the looters carried out the ugly exercise despite the darkness in the mall.
“The looting of this mall started precisely 7:45am till 4pm, so what we did was that we advised the security in the mall to off the light so that they will be operating in darkness, thinking there may be restraint.
“You can see blood (stains) still on the ground. Immediately the mall lights were put off, they forced themselves into the glass and they sustained degrees of injuries. All the looting was done in the dark. We have over 100 shops in the mall and none was spared.
“All the items in my shops were taken. This is the only mall that gives indigenous and local entrepreneurs opportunity to operate, except for Shoprite, KFC and few others that are multinationals. In each shop, we have at least three staff,” Ogunniyi said.
A textile shop owner at Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Mrs. Fausat Shomade, told the Speaker that she has lost her source of livelihood.
“We don’t have any other thing that we eat except from this shop. This shop is loaded to the full of textile materials. It was only this few that we were able to recover from the police station,” she said tearfully.
The Speaker also visited damaged shops on Bode Thomas, Surulere and Bode Thomas Police Station where he was received by the Commander of Area C Police Command, Lagos, Tijani Fatai; the Divisional Police Officer of Bode Thomas, Ibrahim Fasesan and the Divisional Police Officer of Surulere, Adebowale Adeoya.
The Speaker sighted recovered items, including Shoprite trolleys at the Bode Thomas Police Station.
Gbajabiamila commended the officers of the Nigerian Police Force for restoring law and order in the area.
October 26, 2020
Averting the looming anarchy
If there is one thing the #ENDSARS protest represents, it is that Nigeria has gone full circle and implosion is around the corner except urgent steps are taken to stem the drift into total anarchy.
Evidence abounds that Nigeria has already turned the corner. The ongoing #ENDSARS protest, which has continued in the last two weeks irrespective of efforts by the government to bring it to an end, is telling.
How did we get here in the first place?
Why many believes that the current protests is an agitation by Nigerian youths against police brutality and criminality, we believe the #ENSARS protest is actually a metaphor for all the ills in the country.
The grand corruption in the confines of government, the wasted opportunities, the calumnious compromise the crass impunity, the lawlessness, banditry, complacency and insensitivity and insensate attitudes of those in leadership position, the cronyism, bigotry that has come the define government.
This time around, the government should know that this is not a joke. It is not just going to go away. Those that have contributed one way on the other to the situation should know that this is not a joke. This is unlike previous agitations, it is not going to be just a flash in the pan, the genie is out of the battle, the most vibrant and vocal strata of the population have woken up.
It is telling when security personnel stand back and do nothing when public properties are being vandalized and looted or join the protesters to loot food stuff in Covid-19 warehouse it represents total disorder and obliteration of order and enthronement of anarchy. It is the unmitigated unleashing of disorder and dishevelment where everybody does as they please. Is anarchy here? If the image around the country is anything to go by, certainly anarchy is here with us except government puts on its thinking cap and discard old and worn out solutions that are not going to work this time around.
Two weeks into the #EndSARS protests against police brutality began, president Muhammadu Buhari finally gave a national address, which many had hoped would assuage the bitterness and anger in the land.
However what ought to have been an opportunity to appease the protesters and condole with grieving parents was used to rub-it-in, spit on the graves of the dead and issue insipid treats to the protesters.
Notably the obviously pre-recorded speech made no reference to the troubling killings of unarmed and peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos on Oct. 20. Nigerian soldiers had fired into a crowd of protesters who had remained at the toll gate following a hastily announced curfew. The shootings resulted in several injuries and left several dead. His refusal to admit the Lekki killings is evidently the decision of government to maintain its denial. Overwhelming video evidence however indicts the government and the Nigerian Army as culpable.
While avoiding the crux of the protest and anger in the land he issued a veiled threat to the protesters:
“In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy,” Buhari said.
“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated,” he added.
The speech fell short of expectation offering no hope or resolution to the crisis.
In a moment of national crisis a leader leads. This is the moment!
It is not enough to issue threats and make promises that no one can pin-down. Government must realize that what Nigerians want to see are concrete actions that shows that their demands are being taking seriously.
Four years ago, Buhari sat pretty on the goodwill of the people. He was elected president. Four years after, the goodwill waned, yet he prevailed at the polls. That goodwill is now slipping badly into the abyss because Mr President is sleeping at the wheel. Wake up, Buhari before the nation slips into total anarchy.
October 26, 2020
#EndSARS: Future proceeds from Lekki Tollgate should go to victims of police brutality- Tinubu
APC National leader, Bola Tinubu, has suggested that revenues generated from the Lekki Toll Gate when it is reopened, should be given to victims of the attack by soldiers and victims of police brutality in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 25, the former Lagos state governor denied claims of having a financial stake in the tollgates.
“Today, I speak to those who believe in the importance of, and want to know, the truth. The slander aimed at me is based on the untruth that I own the toll gate concession. The hate mongers prevaricate that I ordered the Lekki assault because the protests had caused me to lose money due to the interruption of toll gate activity.
The toll gate is a public asset. Given what has happened, I would like to propose to government that the toll gate be left closed for an indefinite period. If it is reopened, revenues should be donated to the confirmed victims of the Lekki attack as well as to other identifiable victims of police brutality in Lagos.
Let government use the money to compensate and take care of those who have lost life or limb in the struggle for all citizens to go about the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of life without fear of undue harassment at this or that checkpoint,” he said.
The politician accused his political opponents of arranging the coordinated attacks on his establishments, TV Continental and the Nation newspaper. He said he had prior information that both businesses would be attacked by looters and arsonists,
“Although equipped with prior notice of the imminent trespass, I did not call anyone to seek or request for the army or police to deploy let alone attack, kill, or injure those who razed and vandalized these properties.
I did not want any bloodshed. These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents, wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed.
Why would I be so moved as to instigate the army to attack peaceful, law-abiding people at the toll gate where I have no pecuniary stake, yet lift not a single finger to stop hired miscreants bent on setting fire to these important media investments?” he asked
According to him, the accusation that he ordered the deployment of soldiers against the peaceful protesters “is a complete and terrible lie.”
October 26, 2020
BREAKING: Buratai, GOCs meet over #EndSARS protest
The hierarchy of the Nigerian Army, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, General Officers Commanding (GOC) of the Divisions and Operation Commanders, are brainstorming on the threat to national security occasioned by the #EndSARS protests.
Shortly before the meeting, which is holding in the Army Conference Room at the Defence Headquarters went into closed session, Buratai chastised unnamed international organisations for threatening Military Officers with travel ban over alleged violation of human rights.
He disclosed the conference will discuss operational and current security issues in the country.
According to him: “Criminal elements are threatening us with travel ban but we are not worried because we must remain in this country to make it better.
“The first time I travelled outside of this country, I was already 50 years and a General, so I don’t mind if I live the rest of my life here”.
Details shortly…
October 26, 2020
BREAKING: NECO postpones ongoing exams indefinitely over #EndSARS protests
The National Examinations Council has postponed the ongoing nationwide Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations indefinitely due to the current security challenges, occasion by the #EndSARS protests.
This was contained a statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations Division NECO, Azeez Sani, and made available to newsmen in Minna on Sunday.
Sani said the #EndSARS protests disrupted the smooth conduct of the examinations in some parts of the country.
He said, “The Governing Board of the National Examinations Council at its Special Meeting held on Thursday, 22nd October, 2020 reviewed the on-going 2020 SSCE (internal) nationwide. The Council had in a press release, dated 21st October 2020, informed the general public of rescheduling some papers of the 2020 on-going SSCE.
“Arising from that meeting, today (Sunday) the Governing Board resolved that the 2020 SSCE (Internal) be postponed indefinitely in view of the current security challenges, occasioned by the ENDSARS protests, which disrupted the smooth conduct of the examinations in some parts of the country.
“In making this decision, the Board noted that due to these security challenges, some state governments imposed curfew and closed schools in order to safeguard lives and property;
In the circumstances, it has become difficult for the council to move examination materials across the country and students in the affected locations were unable to sit for the papers already scheduled in the examination time table.”
He said the governing board further resolved, that “when normalcy returns, the Council will continue with the conduct of the examinations in all States.
“While regretting any inconveniences this postponement may cause our esteemed stakeholders, the Council has however taken this decision in order to maintain the integrity and security of its examination procedures for seamless conduct of the Council’s examination.”
October 25, 2020
#EndSARS: FG To Set Up N25bn Youth Fund, As Kaduna Holds Stakeholders Meeting
The Federal government says it has created a youth fund of N25 billion as part of efforts to address the ongoing #EndSARS protests and youth restiveness in the country.
The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting with the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State on Saturday, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to state governors and ministers to dialogue with stakeholders with the view to finding solutions to the End SARS protests.
While explaining that the youth fund will be increased to N75bn within a period of three years, the minister says the aim is to support youths to actualize their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas they have for them to grow their own businesses and be independent.
On her part, the Kaduna Deputy Governor, says the meeting is aimed at brainstorming towards tackling security challenges occasioned by the activities of the END SARS protesters.
She, however, commended the citizens of the state especially the youths for maintaining the peace in the face of ongoing violent protests in some parts of the country.
The minister of Environment, Dr Mohammed Abubakar who attended the meeting, also explains that the federal government is committed to peoples friendly reforms that will create more jobs for the youths.
October 24, 2020
#EndSARS: Gov Hope Uzodimma Approves Release Of N2bn For Youth Empowerment
Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma has approved the immediate release of a takeoff fund of two billion naira out of the six billion naira earmarked for an accelerated youth empowerment programme.
The Governor disclosed this in a statewide broadcast in Owerri the Imo state capital on Saturday.
Governor Uzodinma said the two billion naira will be deployed for the training of the first batch of beneficiaries of the scheme known as the Imo State Special Youth Empowerment and Intervention Programme which will commence next week.
He added that an estimated number of 500,000 Imo youths in different skills acquisition will be given start-up capital.
While also assuring Imo indigenes that the security operatives are on the trail of those that masterminded the carnage and destruction of properties in the state, he noted that the 24 hours curfew earlier imposed in all parts of the state has been reviewed.
October 24, 2020
#EndSARS: Police arrest 10 suspected looters, recover looted goods in A’Ibom
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command had paraded t0 suspected thieves who broke and looted government and private properties during the EndSARS protests last Thursday in Uyo.
Properties vandalized included: De Choice Shopping Mall, LG Showroom , Access Bank and Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation Office.
State Commissioner of Police, CP Amiengheme Andrew, fdc while parading the suspects yesterday said arrests were effected less than 24 hours after the looting while items recovered included 14 deep freezers, six refrigerators, eight flat screen television sets, four water dispensers, 16 bags of rice, four air conditions, A printer, chairs, and other items.
Amiengheme who explained that he has visited all the affected places with his team promised to ensure that more looted items are recovered and urged members of the public to avail police with useful information that could achieve this.
The commissioner commended the state government and the sister agencies for their collaborative efforts in restoring normalcy to Uyo as well as Akwa Ibom people for their peaceful disposition.
Those arrested according to him including Victor Effiong ‘m’, Emediong Michael James ‘f’, Imedimfon Ime James ‘m’, Isaac John Udoh ‘m’, Sunday Michael James ‘m’, Wisdom Godswill Reuben ‘m’, Ntiefon Ime Robbert, Akaninyene Abraham Livinus ‘m’, Imoh Enobong Sunday and Isaac Sunday Udo ‘m’.
The CP called on the perpetrators to desist from the dastardly act and toe the line of peace or face the full weight of the law.
October 24, 2020
#EndSARS: 69 persons were killed in #EndSARS protests – Buhari reveals
President Buhari has reportedly revealed that 69 persons were killed in the #EndSARS protest across the country.
BBC reported that the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this during a virtual meeting with former leaders and security chiefs on Friday October 23. He said that 51 civilians, 11 police officers, and seven soldiers were killed in the unrest.
Buhari was quoted saying in a statement released by Femi Adesina that the killing came off an “initial genuine and well-intended protest of youths which was hijacked and misdirected”.
It was further gathered that the Nigerian President who stated that his administration will not allow miscreants and criminals to continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the country, accused the protesters of refusing to call off the protest in spite of meeting their demands.
The statement read;
”Unfortunately, the protesters refused to call off the protest and engage the government to address their grievances. Instead, they became emboldened and gradually turned violent.
”We shall also continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected. Here, I want to also reaffirm our commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
“The President thanked the former Heads of State for attending the meeting and their invaluable comments, observations and advice, adding that ‘Nigerians expect nothing less from responsible statesmen’.
“Each of the former leaders commended President Buhari for steps taken so far to restore calm and order to the country and also applauded the presidential broadcast of Thursday as detailed and soothing to the country.
“The former heads of state were unanimous in their view that generation of employment and growing the economy including through direct foreign investments were critical to checking youth restiveness.
“The former heads of state also condemned the divisive and inciting pronouncements of separatists and were of the opinion that such acts should be stopped.
“Equally, the former leaders commended the actions taken by governors to address the demands of the ENDSARS protesters and their efforts to check the excesses of those who perpetrated violent acts and conduct.
“Finally, they called on youths to pursue peaceful means, in seeking redress through engagement with government and encouraged further conversation with the youths and other stakeholders in the country.”
October 24, 2020
#ENDSARS: Senator Wamakko Commends Northern Youths For Not Partaking In #EndSARS Protest
By Ibrahim Muhammad, Sokoto

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has commended patriotic youths in the northern parts of Nigeria for refusing to join the violent #ENDSARS protests that had erupted in the southern parts of Nigeria.
This was contained in a release signed and issued to newsmen by his media aide, Bashir Rabe Mani.
It further said Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, made the commendation at his Sahabi Dange Road, Sokoto, residence on Thursday, when he addressed a mammoth crowd of youths shortly after his return from an official trip in Abuja.
Senator Wamakko added:” I am highly elated with the disciplined and peaceful disposition of the northern youths , even in the face of the provocations and altercations occasioned by the protests that turned violent and lost their original focus , as well as intentions.”
The Lawmaker also wondered why the dastardly and destructive protests raged on even when the Federal Government had acceded to the demands of the protesters .
Wamakko said: ” One of the key demands of the protesters was the disbandment of the SARS Unit and it was immediately disbanded .
” Even President Muhammadu Buhari himself had earlier told the youths that they had good intentions, only for them to deviate from the initial noble cause.”
Sen Wamakko described the youths as the beacons of hope in the country, hence should not allow themselves to be used by some disgruntled, unpatriotic , egocentric and disloyal zealots.
He reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to the Nigerian project , as well as ensuring that, the youths fully realize all their budding potentials.
October 24, 2020