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Tag: #ENDSARS

#EndSARS: Governor Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 8-man Judicial panel to investigate SARS brutality
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, on Monday October 19, inaugurated an eight man panel of inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violation committed by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS in the state.
The panel which is headed by Retired Justice Doris Okuwobi will sit for six months and is mandated to investigate all verifiable claims of abuses and fatalities arising from SARS activities in the state with the objective of getting erring officers punished and bringing compensation to victims.
Other members of the panel will include Ebun Adegboruwa SAN, a human rights activist who will be representing the civil society, Taiwo Lakani who is a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Miss Patience Udoh who is also to represent the civil society in the panel, EndSARS campaigner, Segun Awosanya aka Segalinks and Mrs. Toyin Odusanya, a director in the Lagos Citizen Mediator Center.
Segalinks was however not able to make the swearing-in as he was held up by traffic.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the youths in the state were yet to send in two nominees who would represent them in the panel of inquiry.
The panel’s assignment includes
-To listen & take evidence from all victims or the families of victims of SARS abuse within Lagos State (Like a Truth and Reconciliation Committee did in some countries) this would enable all victims and their families air and vent their grievances in public.
-The Judicial Panel after listening to victims or their families would then determine whether any victim or the dependents of such victims are entitled to compensation and the amount of compensation
-Upon determining the compensation payable the Judicial Panel is to immediately issue a cheque in favor of the victim or their dependents.
-The Judicial Panel is also to determine the officers (or anyone for that matter) responsible for abusing any victim and to recommend the prosecution of such persons
-The Judicial Panel shall also have powers to make recommendations to the Government on how to ensure that the Police and all security agencies never abuse the rights of citizens again.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the panel’s email is judicialpanelonsars@lagosstate.gov.ng while it’s telephone numbers are 0901 051 3203, 0901 051 3204 and 0901 051 3205.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS Protesters Cripple Commercial Activities In Owerri
Commercial activities in Owerri were on Monday crippled following demonstrations embarked upon by #EndSARS protesters in Imo State.
The protesters in their numbers carrying placards and chanting anti-government songs blocked the strategic Warehouse Junction in the state capital.
They vowed not to leave the place until the government takes decisive action in addressing police brutality and harassment.
Following the demonstrations, hundreds of vehicles motorists have been stranded with some turning the place into a football field.
Similarly, some protesters blocked the Naze Junction main road leading to the Sam Mbakwe Airport.
The demonstrators lamented the poor state of the road leading to the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede as well as the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: “If I was in the shoes of the youths protesting #EndSARS, I will do same” Benue Governor Ortom says
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he would toe the line of Nigerian youths if he were in their shoes.
He added that Nigerian leaders at all levels have failed, hence the protests.
He tweeted: “We as leaders at all levels have failed, so if I was in the shoes of the youths protesting #EndSARS, I will do same.”
October 19, 2020
Benin prison under attack as thugs free prisoners
Thugs attacked a prison on Sapele Road in Benin City, the Edo State capital, today, Monday October 19th.
It was gathered that the armed thugs had hijacked an #EndSARS protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
The thugs unleashed terror on prison officials to free inmates. Reports had it that some of the prisoners were seen escaping through the fence, while other prisoners were seen running on the street and some prisoners changing outfits.
Details later…
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: Canadian police seen protecting #EndSARS protesters
Some Canadian police officers have been seen in a viral video protecting some #EndSARS protesters in the country.
The protesters had taken to the streets to lend their voices to the campaign against police brutality witnessed in Nigeria.
The police officers were seen guarding the protesters as they marched around the country.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: Soldiers Block Scene Of Planned #EndSARS Protest In Abuja
Soldiers have blocked the scene of planned #EndSARS in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The military officers were stationed at the popular Aya roundabout early Monday morning, with a roadblock and barricade.
Also, police officers are stationed in front of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters with Armoured Personnel Carrier and water cannons.
Protesters had defied Sunday night rain and camped overnight outside CBN headquarters protesting police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
The Nigerian Army on Sunday said its ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ which is kicking off across the country this week is not targeted at the #EndSARS protests.
A statement issued by the Army Spokesperson Musa Sagir on Saturday noted that the exercise, scheduled to commence from October 20 to December 31, 2020, has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.
“For the records, Exercise Crocodile Smile is a yearly exercise in the Nigerian Army calendar/forecast of events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year,” the statement read in part.
October 19, 2020
BREAKING: Edo State Government Declares 24-Hour Curfew
The Edo State Government has announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew across the state.
The curfew is to take effect from 4:00 pm, October 19, 2020, till further notice.
This was announced by the secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie.
Ogie said the imposition of the curfew was due to the incidents of vandalism and attacks carried out by hoodlums who hijacked the #ENDSARS protests.
“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of the #ENDSARS protests.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state,” Ogie said.
Schools and businesses are to shutdown activities accordingly, following the announcement.
Those who cannot move safely are advised to stay put between now and 4:00pm till calmness is restored.
Suspected hoodlums had earlier on Monday morning hijacked the #EndSARS Protests in Benin City.
The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media, Crusoe Osagie, told Channels Television that the hoodlums exchanged fire with security operatives at the Maximum prison in Benin City.
“The hoodlums are currently exchanging fire with the security personnel at the Maximum security prison in Oko, Benin City,” Osagie told Channels Television.
The hoodlums can be seen in videos invading the Benin Medium security prison on Sapele Road, releasing some inmates.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: Protesters launch helpline, online radio ‘soro soke’
EndSARS protesters have established a helpline centre and an online radio platform named ‘soro soke’.
According to the protesters, the helpline is 01 700 1755.
“For the users, these are the prompt numbers: Press 1 for medical. Press 2 for legal. Press 3 for food and supplies. Press 4, 5, or 6 for mental health emergencies,” @fkabudu tweeted.
To aid coordination and communication nationwide, the protesters also launched an online radio platform “Soro Soke”, The Nation learnt.
The online radio, which is accessible via https://s4.radio.co/s99d55c85b/listen has programmes and live reports of missing and found #EndSARS protesters, and other updates on the protests across the country.
When our correspondent tuned in to the online radio around 2:00 pm on Sunday, music were being played on the needs for their voices to count and reforms, amongst others.
“Soro Soke,” a Yoruba phrase, which translates as ‘Speak Up,’ has become a slogan for End SARS protesters in the past few days.
Publisher of Ovations Dele Momodu and former Minister for Education, Oby Ezekwesili and some other prominent Nigerians have shown support for the initiatives.
“I heard our innovative young ones of the #EndSARS protests have just launched an online radio station? Wow! These ones na real Generation! #GenerationIncredibles.” @obyezeks tweeted.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: First black Canadian Minister Of Justice joins the campaign as he recounts how his cousin was allegedly murdered by Nigerian police
Kaycee Madu, Canada’s first black Minister Of Justice has recounted how his cousin was allegedly murdered by Nigerian police in 2013.
In a statement he released in support of the #EndSARS protest aimed at stopping police brutality, Kaycee recounted how the police allegedly refused to investigate the murder incident and also did everything to obstruct it.
The Canadian Minister of Justice added that changing the name of SARS and reconstituting it without significant reform, won’t be sufficient to satisfy the cry of the Nigerian people for justice.
He tweeted;
I support the people of Nigeria as they protest to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings. My own cousin Chrisantus Nwabueze Korie was murdered by Nigerian police in April 2013.
Despite my best efforts, the police would not investigate his murder and did everything to obstruct. I also helped to petition a committee of Nigeria’s National Assembly to probe the killing and report back to the House within a timely manner.
Fundamental human rights like peace, security and freedom from police brutality are universal. The Nigerian government has an obligation to protect its citizens and deliver substantive police reform.
Changing the name of SARS and reconstituting it without significant reform won’t be sufficient to satisfy the cry of the Nigerian people for justice.
Edmund Burke wrote that, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I encourage all Nigerians to stand up and be heard.
October 19, 2020
#EndSARS: ”The most gruesome season in the history of the nation is the last 5 years” Bishop David Oyedepo says as he joins #EndSARS protests
Bishop David Oyedepo who is the Senior Pastor of the Living Faith Ministries aka Winners Chapel International has endorsed the ongoing #EndSARS protests in the country.
While preaching in his church on Sunday morning October 18, the clergyman who has been very critical of the Buhari-led administration, said the Nigerian youth has the right to express their displeasure on the current state of affairs in the country. He said he has been silent on the issue so far because he warned Nigerians in 2015.
“Every man has a right, legitimately so, to express their displeasure and pains
I kept quiet for a while because in 2015 I warned this nation, vehemently, consistently, because I saw the dangers ahead and you can tell. The most gruesome season in the history of the nation is the last 5 years where lives have no value, wanton killings here and there.
Now they have faced the youth and because they don’t know who is next, they have the right to say ‘enough is enough’. Any system that has no value for human lives is irrelevant. If they were killed when they were youths, would they be where they are today?”.
It would be a sacrilege to shoot the protesters who are not looting, who are not ravaging.
I have been one of the few voices in the last five years telling these men and women that until you push a goat to the wall, you wouldn’t know it has teeth to bite.
I am here to say the youths have the right to say No. I wish they said it with me when I was shouting in 2015. I wish they did. They wouldn’t be in this trouble today.”
Speaking further, the clergyman said
Check the history of Nigeria, there has been no time of massive loss of life than the last five years…including slaughtering people in church, icluding beheading a CAN chairman..with video. My God! Well, the bad news for every wicked soul behind these wanton killing is that your judgement has come.
The animal farm of George Orwell is far more civilised than what we are seeing now.
October 19, 2020