The Nigerian Army says it has arrested the soldier who recorded a video begging his colleagues not to shoot at #EndSARS protesters
The soldier now identified as Lance Corporal Harrison Friday, wore a hood in a video he made in which he begged his colleagues not to shoot at end SARS protesters even if they were sent to do so.
In a post shared on its Twitter handle this morning October 21, the Nigerian Army says Harrison carried out ‘cybercrime’ and that he has now been arrested.
Nigerian Army has denied shooting protesters at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday night.
Daybreak had reported that hours after the declaration of a 24-hour curfew in the state, military personnel opened fire on protesters at Lekki tollgate.
During the incident, some protesters were allegedly killed and injured after the Military opened fire on them.
But Reacting, the Army in a statement on its Twitter handle, said its soldiers were not at the scene.
It also denied seizing corpses of victims of the attack
It tweeted, ”Fake news, no soldiers were at the scene.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked the rumour circulating on social media that its personnel are aiding pro-SARS supporters and thugs to attack #ENDSARS protesters in Abuja.
The security agency asserted that none of its personnel has, so far, been identified to be involved in the alleged acts.
The Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Tuesday, said part of the untruth being spewed to the public was that some of its officials attached to certain VIPs aided thugs in this regard.
Afunanya described the allegations levelled against DSS as untrue, which can only be taken as false narratives designed to cast it in the bad image, as well as inflame the protests.
“The Service is a responsible professional Organization and will endeavour to remain so at all times,” he said.
According to the service, “It begs the question to conclude that SUVs and persons dressed in suits and sighted in conflict environments are of the DSS. Fact is that no staff of the DSS will engage in acts as the ones being peddled by these rumour mongers and hate speakers.
“It, therefore, wishes to state that the allegations levelled against it are not true and can only be taken as false narratives designed to cast it in the bad image as well as inflame the protests.”
“Consequently, the public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from sections of the social and mainstream media, subversive groups and interests. The Service uses this opportunity to call on citizens to eschew bitterness, remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies and indeed, the Government for lasting peace and public safety,” he said.
The military has been asked to immediately release the identity of soldiers that carried out the shooting of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State on Tuesday night.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) made the call while condemning the shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers in Lekki
President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, in a statement, faulted the incident.
We had earlier reported that End SARS protesters at the Lekki ground came under heavy fire by the military on Tuesday.
Bullets fired by security operatives hit some persons and at least two persons have been confirmed killed by the police and many injured
Voices in a viral footage blamed the shootings on soldiers.
“The Military High command is hereby requested to immediately identify and name the officers involved in this gross professional misconduct for immediate prosecution and dismissal in line with extant laws,” Akpata said.
“The NBA shall immediately commence legal proceedings at all relevant fora– both locally and internationally – against the Nigerian Military and other relevant authorities, on behalf of the families of the victims, for abuse of power, disregard of rules of engagement and the infringement of the fundamental rights (including the right to life) of the affected citizens.”.
Akpata pointed out that even if the protesters were in breach of the Lagos government’s curfew, such a misdemeanor did not warrant the use of live ammunition by the military.
“The NBA believes that the current situation in the country calls for dynamic leadership and, as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, invites the President of Nigeria and others in authority to show uncommon leadership in saving the situation, instead of deploying troops against defenceless citizens whom they swore an oath to protect,” the NBA president said.
The United States government has temporarily shut down its consulate in Lagos.
The consulate announced this in a statement released today Tuesday, October 20. Read below.
“Multiple demonstrations are ongoing across Nigeria – to include areas within the consular districts of Abuja and Lagos. Although most demonstrations are peaceful, some have become violent and have shut down major thoroughfares and bridges.
Some police stations have been targeted. Lagos State closed all schools indefinitely as of October 19 due to protests and implemented a 24-hour curfew starting at 4:00pm on October 20.
Consulate-General Lagos is closed for the rest of today and tomorrow.
We continue to urge all U.S. citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates and traffic advisories. Continue to be vigilant and avoid areas affected by the protests.”
Apostle Johnson Suleman has cursed everyone “that pulled a trigger today”.
The curse comes after End SARS protesters were killed after alleged security operatives opened fire on them at the Lekki toll gate.
Reacting, Apostle Suleman, general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, wrote: “God will reply everyone that pulled a trigger today… down to their fourth generation… it wont go unattended to..”
Singers Davido and Runtown have called on President Buhari to immediately resign following the attack on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday night, October 20.
Several persons have reportedly been killed after security agents allegedly opened fire at the protesters. Many others sustained injuries.
See Davido and Runtown’s reactions as posted on their social media handles below.
The Senate on Tuesday asked the President, Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation immediately on the current nationwide protests by youths against police brutality and bad governance.
The Senate also directed the police to offer protection to the #EndSARS protesters to prevent hoodlums from hijacking their genuine action.
The Senate decision was sequel to a point of order by Senator Biodun Olujimi, titled, “#EndSARS: The need for a comprehensive reform”
The federal lawmakers urged the protesters to stop their agitation on the streets while the Federal Government address their demands.
They also urged Buhari to immediately set up a judicial panel of enquiry made up of eminent Nigerians that would be respected by the youths to identify the notorious SARS operatives and ensure their arrest and prosecution
Details later….
Abel Leonard/ Lafia
Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs attacked and disrupted #END SARS protesters leaving them with various injuries while police officers and Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme NAYES allegedly watched with disdain.
The protesters numbering close to 200 and made up of young men and women converged at the Total filling station junction and commenced procession at about 8:30am to the Government House, along Shandam road Lafia.
One of the protesters who spoke with daybreak reporter said that the protest was Peaceful from the beginning but after presenting their objectives in a written later to governor Abdullahi Sule through the secretary to the state government Alh. Mohammed Ubandoma, hoodlums started attacking the harmless protesters.
“When we proceeded back from the government house where we went to present our requests to Governor Sule, some thugs we believe are sponsored by some people in government pounced on us and started heating our people with sticks and snatched phones from protesters.
” To our greatest dismay the police officers who were sent to protect us watched the thugs beat up the protested unprovoked and were even making caricature of us”, a protester narrated.
However, contacting the police public Relations officer Lafia command, Ramhan Nansel via a telephone call, said the protest was peaceful and everything went as planned denying any claim of attacks by protesters.
You will recall that daybreak news report that Nasarawa state governor engr. Abdullahi Sule had warned non resident endsars protesters to stay clear of Nasarawa
The governor who handed down the warning while inaugurating the judicial commission of enquiry into the activities of the F-SARS of the Nigerian police and other related matters, at the Government House, on Monday.
The governor disclosed that available information indicate that some people are being conveyed into the state in buses, with a view to staging protests in Karu and Keffi, warning such people not to carry on with the protest as government will not fold its arms and allow them to cause problems in the state.
“If there is going to be any protest, let it be by residents of Nasarawa who understand what is happening in Nasarawa State.
“We will not welcome and we will not fold our arms as government and continue to receive other people who don’t understand the challenges that we are having in Nasarawa State, to come in buses, arrive somewhere in Karu and Keffi and stage protest in false claims because those people don’t understand our problems, they should go to where they are resident and protest,” he said.
The Lagos State police command has warned against any form of protest or gathering.
The police cited violent attacks on officers, men, formations and innocent Nigerians at different parts of the metropolis.
Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, also referred to the 24 hours curfew imposed by the state government.
The order takes effect from 4pm of Tuesday.
“Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that henceforth, no protest or gathering or possession, under whatever guise, is permitted”, Adejobi noted.
He said all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.
The command regretted the burning of Orile Police Station.
The spokesman added that, “some of our policemen were critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead”.
“Its crystal clear that the End SARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who want to run down the state.”
Adejobi declared that the Police Command will resist anarchy and unrest with all powers within the ambit of the law.