Politics

Police prevent youths from looting covid19 palliatives in Abuja.

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Security operatives on Tuesday dispersed youths who attempted to break into a warehouse in the Kuje Area Council Secretariat of the FCT in search of Covid-19 palliative.

Mr Harrison Ororua, the Kuje Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who tried to calm the protesting youths warned them of the dangers and implications of any breakdown of law and order in the area.

Ororua told the youths that there were no palliatives inside the area council secretariat, adding that all palliatives were distributed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Newsmen who were at the scene, reports that the youths burnt tyres and tried to gain entrance into the council secretariat but met strong resistance.

Newsmen also report that the youths broke into the council’s mini store, beside the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office and found the store empty.

The number of people continued to increase as information reached other residents about what was happening at the council’s secretariat.

The situation led to serious gridlock as motorists and other road users tried to run for safety, as the security operatives used teargas to disperse the crowd.

Politics

Hoodlums have taken over the streets due to the absence of SARS-Yahaya Bello

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Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, has said that the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the Nigeria Police Force notorious for rights violations in the country has dampened the morale of police officers. Yahaya said hoodlums have taken over the streets due to the absence of SARS.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello while speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday said, “Now SARS has ended, police morale has been dampened, they have gone off the streets, and the hoodlums have taken to the streets. Who do we report to?”

Earlier in October, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS after young Nigerians took to the streets for days to demand its scrapping.

However, the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics team almost immediately by the IGP caused outrage among citizens, who continued to occupy major roads across the country before thugs hijacked the peaceful demonstrations and started causing destruction of all kinds.

Politics

Senate probes N848m, $1.5m scandal in Foreign Affairs Ministry

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The Senate Committee on Public Account chaired by Senator Mathew Urhoghide is investigating alleged financial scandal of N848 million and $1.5 million respectively by officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

The Senate investigation was a sequel to the report of the Auditor General of Federation, Anthony Ayine which indicted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Account has since directed that the former permanent secretary in the Ministry must be compelled to account for the mismanaged funds in the Ministry.

A representative of Secretary of Ministry of Affairs, Salawu Zubair was unable to give satisfactory answers to posers raised by the
Senator Urhoghide led Committee.

The Auditor-General Report revealed several irregularities. It read in part: “The sum of $858,704,50 was generated as revenue in respect of visa and administrative charges for the period 2013- 2015. The following irregularities were observed.

” Treasury book 6A and Treasury Book 6 revenue booklets were not kept, and consequently not made available.

“Revenue collector’s registers with details of TR6A and relevant amount were not maintained.

“Revenue cash books were not updated with relevant entries throughout 2014.

“The permanent secretary has been requested to explain these irregularities in revenue collection, account for the sum of $858,704.50 collected as well as carry out the surcharge of officers involved, otherwise, the full weight of financial regulations 3112 (1) should be applied, forwarding evidence of action taken for audit verification.

” The sum of $187,554.49 was transferred from revenue to overhead accounts as revealed in the revenue cash books of 2013 and 2015.

“The amount was claimed to have been borrowed from the Internally Generated Revenue Account for the period but was never paid back. This action contravenes financial regulations 236.

“The Permanent Secretary has been requested to recover the entire amount and forward evidence of recovery and remittance to government chest for audit verification.

“Audit examination revealed that out of the sum $305,577 was unaccounted for.

“It was also observed that between 2013 and 2015 the sum of N517,247,500.8 was remitted to the embassy.

“The sum for capital, personnel and overhead cost. These remittances were all paid into one account.

“This is a violation of financial regulations 701 which requires separate bank accounts to be maintained for capital and overhead to enable transparent rendition of expenditure return in accordance with budgetary provisions.

“The expenditure return rendered by the embassy cannot be admissible as a true reflection of the transaction of the lumping of expenditure remittances (personnel, overhead and capital) into a bank account.

“The Permanent Secretary has been requested to explain these banking irregularities and revert to the separation of bank accounts in accordance with statutory regulations, forwarding evidence of action taken for audit verification.

“During the audit examination of payment voucher, the total sum of $158, 000 was paid as estacode allowance to home-based staff to accompany Christians pilgrims from Nigeria to various religious sites.

“However, it was revealed while going through the supporting documents attached to the payment voucher that these pilgrims were usually accompanied by the Nigerian Pilgrims Commission, hence there is no need for embassy staff to escort them, the Permanent Secretary has been requested to stop further wastage of statutory allocations on meaningless pilgrimage tours that will aid the embassy on accomplishing its mandate and in informing me accordingly on action taken.

“During the verification of the AIEs extracted from the ministry into the AIEs files maintained at the Nigerian embassy in Tel-Aviv. It was observed that AIEs totalling N331m extracted from the ministry of foreign affairs did not reflect at the embassy.

“The Permanent Secretary ha been requested to explain why these AIEs totalling N331m were not recorded and accounted for n the embassy files or recover the total amount and forward the recovery particulars to me for verification.”


Politics

Nnamdi Kanu To Pay Nigerian Soldiers, Police Officers Salary, he gives Condition.

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The leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has offered to pay Nigerian soldiers and police officers salary amid the outcry by Nigerians on the ongoing police brutality in the country.

There are reports that Kanu’s statement is coming at a time protesting youths in Nigeria are agitating for the end to police brutalization and extrajudicial killings of Nigerians. The protesters have been on the streets for more than a week now, protesting the brutalities, humiliation, and extortion of Nigerians, especially the youths.

The protesters demanded an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi, using a hashtag: #EndSARS.

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu disbanded SARS following a widespread protest from Nigerians worldwide.

However, since the announcement that SARS has been scrapped, the protesters refused to leave the streets, which a Presidential Advisory Committee said  might force the Federal Government to take drastic measures against the protesting youths.

Nnamdi Kanu

On Tuesday, October 20, men suspected to soldiers of the Nigerian Army invaded a peaceful protest at Lekki toll gate on Tuesday evening, October 20, killing #EndSARS protesters in the process.

Apparently displeased with the attacks on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate, some Nigerians believed to be thugs, went on rampage as they were seen vandalizing several properties across the nation including the burning of police stations and killing of police officers.

Speaking after the unrest in Nigeria, Kanu stressed that as a Nigerian soldier or police officer if the person should “resign from Nigeria Police/Army Irrespective of your tribe, IPOB will pay you two months salary in advance”, adding that his pro-Biafra group will “furthermore pay your monthly salary while you work for your people.”

“If you resign from Nigeria Police/Army Irrespective of your tribe, #IPOB will pay you 2 months salary in advance and furthermore pay your monthly salary while you work for your people,” Kanu said.

Politics

We will employ 5000 youths in the government agency schemes- Governor Seyi Makinde

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The Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has met with traditional rulers, caretaker chairmen of local government and others to discuss the way forward in the state. Below are the statements he released via his Twitter page earlier today;

“This afternoon, we met with traditional rulers, caretaker chairmen of local government and local council development areas and clerics, to discuss the way forward for our dear state following the End SARS protests and subsequent events.”

“I outlined the steps we are taking to address the issue of ending police brutality and other injustices. We have set up an initial N500M Compensation Fund for victims of injustice. Also, a judicial panel will be inaugurated within a week to consider cases of injustice.”

“I also stated that we are addressing the underlying socio-economic issues. We have set up a N500M fund for MSMEs, and we will employ 5,000 youths in government agency schemes in the next few months. We are also distributing the fifth phase of palliatives by the end of this week.”

“We will continue to protect the rights of every resident of Oyo State as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended”.

“Full speech https://t.co/wGk2T9NS7g https://t.co/uGvt6ypEjA”

Politics

Nigerian army vows to take action as violence, looting spread

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As attacks and looting of property continues, the top hierarchy of the Nigerian army emerged from an emergency meeting on Monday pledging to remain loyal to the government as well as the unity and indivisibility of the country. 

The meeting, which was attended general officers commanding (GOCs) and field commanders on October 26, 2020 at the army headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by the chief of army staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai.

The army’s pledge of loyalty was apparently designed to give the assurance that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was not threatened by the uprising against police brutality which started on October 8. 

Although the protests have been put on hold, violence and looting continues all over the country without any challenge as the police have withdrawn from the streets having suffered serious damage to their image.

The army also denied shooting any protester at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 which has caused a stir within and outside Nigeria. Initial reports said scores of protesters were killed. 

The army now says it has resolved to assist the government to bring an end to insecurity across the country and to “prevent miscreants and criminals from hijacking the ENDSARS protest”. 

According to Col Sagir Musa, the acting director of army public relations, it remains focused and will not to be deterred by any local or international threats. 

“All Commanders have been directed to intensify joint training with the Nigerian Police and other sister security agencies to enhance inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.”

He reported that at the meeting, Buratai made it unambiguously clear that there will be no room for disloyalty amongst all officers and soldiers of the army.  

He directed that field commanders tell all their subordinates that the army was determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria.

“The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilizing agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire,’’ he quoted Buratai as saying. 

Buratai said that events of the past few days have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilize Nigeria by all means. 

“These individuals, groups and other undesirable elements have hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation,” he stated. 

He also said that right from the onset of the protests, the army has been aware of the grand design by the sponsors of the protests to draw it into the crisis.  

“The plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government so as to set the people against the army once it is called out to aid the civil authorities…Now the detractors alongside their local and international collaborators have mischievously and deliberately misrepresented troops’ efforts to ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by legitimate civil authorities in Lagos and other states.’’  

He claimed that these agitators were falsely accusing the army of being responsible for the activities of the miscreants despite glaring evidence to the contrary.  

“They have continually threatened to report the army to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families. Thankfully, however, a large percentage of Nigerians and the international community have started seeing through the smokescreen of falsehood and deliberate misrepresentation of facts being orchestrated by enemies of Nigeria and have retracted their earlier false publications,’’ he added.

Politics

Lekki Shooting: We’ve identified barracks where soldiers came from – Femi Falana

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said that his group has located the barracks where soldiers who shot protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, came from.

Falana, in an interview on Monday, said that his group, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond (ASCAB), located the barracks from the investigation conducted so far. He added that the investigation revealed that security forces were actually deployed to the scene of the protest last week Tuesday.

The Human rights lawyer noted that facts available to the group show that soldiers actually fired shots at the tollgate and young protesters have died from those shots.

Falana said that the group has set up an independent National Citizens Panel of Inquiry to investigate the shooting of protesters at Lekki Toll Plaza on October 20. He said the panel would consist of organizations of the youth, civil society organizations that took part in the #Endsars protest movement,

He said the President was likely to have been told that soldiers were ordered so that was the reason he failed to address the shooting in his national broadcast to the nation.

He, however, condemned the Federal Government for lacking respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights to protest. Falana said that constant denials from the federal government and its agencies clearly show the government does not value the lives of its citizens.

Politics

NLC orders FG to release all covid-19 welfare materials

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release all welfare materials provided to cushion the effect of Covid-19 in the country.

The NLC made the demand in a statement signed and issued on Monday by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in Abuja, who said that the directive also applies to state governments which it accused of being chief culprits in hoarding of the palliatives.

Wabba also added that government officials cannot afford to create a scenario that precipitates mass unrests within this delicate and fragile milieu in global history.

The statement by the NLC reads thus in full; “The Nigeria Labour Congress has followed with keen concern the unfolding incidents across the country of mass storming and looting of relief welfare materials and provisions stored away in different warehouses.

“These relief palliatives and provisions are believed to have been procured by government to relieve citizens of the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown and the associated hardship.

“It is obvious that the palliative provisions that were procured by government for immediate distribution to the mass of our people at their critical time of need and to assuage the hardship occasioned by the lockdown were hoarded and held back by some government officials.

“The reasons for this have not been made known to the public. We also understand that many of the palliative provisions are already getting rotten in the warehouses where they were stored.

“While we condemn the ensuing mass looting of both the Covid-19 palliatives and non-Covid-19 palliative materials, we equally deplore the conduct of some government officials who stored away relief materials that should have been distributed to the masses of our people at their very trying times of need.

“We call on the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of those who hoarded the palliative provisions.

“In order to forestall riotous plundering of the remaining relief palliatives, the Nigeria Labour Congress demands that the Federal Government should order the immediate release of all the welfare provisions and materials to citizens.

“As we had demanded in the past, the distribution of the palliative provisions should be transparent, and inclusive with active participation of mass-based citizen groups.

“This directive should apply to state governments many of which are chiefly culprit in this regard. Government officials cannot afford to create a scenario that precipitates mass unrests at this very delicate and fragile milieu in global history. A stitch in time would save nine!” it concluded.

Politics

Lekki Shootings: Soldiers’ barracks have been identified, says Falana

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Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana (SAN), says the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond, has commenced an investigation into last Tuesday shootings of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.

Falana, who is the Chairman of the group, said ASCAB has so far identified the barracks where the soldiers who opened fire on protesters were deployed from.

He made this known on Monday in an interview with Arise TV monitored by The PUNCH.

Falana, who insisted that soldiers were deployed to the demonstration ground last Tuesday, said, “We have already identified the barracks where the soldiers left for Lekki, we have already identified the barracks.”

He, however, did not reveal the details of the barracks.

Falana added, “The President was likely to have been told soldiers were ordered so I want to believe that’s why it was not addressed. They said it was a rumour but I think the facts are emerging now, that indeed soldiers went to Lekki, indeed they fired at protesters and indeed some of the protesters at least two have been officially acknowledged to have died from gunshot wounds.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also lambasted the Federal Government for lacking respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights to protest.

He said, “The Nigerian government has no respect for the rule of law and has ensured they stave off all forms of protests in the country.

“Every designated venue for protest in the country have been fenced by the government to prevent demonstrations.

“In Lagos, the Gani Fawehinmin Square has been fenced while the Unity Fountain in Abuja has also been fenced, and the same government has said citizens have the right to protest.

Tuesday night attack has been condemned by both local and international human rights organisations and personalities.

Politics

Lawyer writes Sanwo-Olu, requests CCTV footage of Lekki shootings

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Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has written a letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, demanding the CCTV footage of the shootings at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

In the letter, titled, ‘Urgent Request Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011’, the lawyer promised to undertake and pay the cost of certification and any applicable administrative fees.

It read in part, “I am a Nigerian citizen, resident of Lagos State, human rights activist, private legal practitioner and lawful participant in the #EndSARS movement cum peaceful protest.

“As an interested party and pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, I hereby respectfully apply for the authenticated copies of the Closed Circuit Television records showing the attack on the #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on October 20, 2020.”

Effiong also requested for certified copies of the instrument setting up the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution for victims of SARS related abuses and Lekki toll gate incident with its terms of reference.

Politics

FCT Minister Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Looters

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The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the people who break the FCT warehouse in Gwagwalada Area Council and looted the food items in the store.

Bello gave the order during an emergency security meeting with leaders of various security agencies in the city, on Monday in Abuja.

The minister, who asked those who looted the food items to return them immediately, disclosed that there would be massive deployments of security agencies to safeguard factories and warehouses in Idu Industrial District of the city.

”What is going on is was no longer #EndSARS protest but broad day stealing by hoodlums,” he said.

On her part, The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu condemned the looting in strong terms.

Aliyu said no nation could survive without a food reserve which are being looted across the country.

She called on Council chairmen and Royal fathers to reach out to opinion molders unite the people against looters.

Royal fathers who spoke called for decisive actions to be taken against those looting across the city.

They said hoodlums are beginning to enter markets shops and personal business premises.

Present at the meeting are the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, Brigade commander, Chief of Staff to the minister amongst others. (NAN)

Politics

Adamawa private establishments hit hard as thugs continue looting despite curfew

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Thugs who started breaking into government warehouses in Adamawa State on Sunday morning have extended their act to private establishments.

Looting has continued in private warehouses and stores around the state capital, Yola and some other communities around the state even as this report was filed Tuesday morning.

A rice miller, Alhaji Mohammed Shemad, told newsmen Tuesday that he lost over N188 million worth of goods after thugs entered the stores of his mill and took away a total of 10,615 bags of processed rice.

The Managing Director of Shemad Concept Nigeria Ltd, a rice milling firm located in Bakin Kogi, Yola North Local Government Area (LGA), said the thugs descended on his mill after looting the nearby Adamawa State central stores on Sunday afternoon.

“Altogether, we had 10,615 bags of rice comprising 5,210 bags of white rice and 5,440 bags of parboiled rice,” Alhaji Shamad said.

He explained that his company sells white rice at N17,500 per bag to wholesalers and N18,000 per bag of parboiled rice to wholesalers, bringing his total loss to N188,095,000.

Shemad who takes his paddy rice for processing from a warehouse of his company located elsewhere in Yola, said thugs were about to break into that warehouse too when he was called, and he had to mobilize equally armed thugs to guard the warehouse.

Many other private establishments have been broken into since the free-for-all looting started in Yola on Sunday morning.

Among major outlets looted have been the PZ warehouse at PZ Junction, Jimeta from where food and toilet items were looted; NECAS, an agricultural equipment firm in Kofare from where tractors were taken away, and so on.

The hoodlums have similarly not spared the Yola stores of state and federal agencies like Adamawa Agricultural Development Project (AADP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), among others.

All the looting went on despite assurance earlier by the state police command through its spokesman, Suleiman Nguroje that police and other security personnel would be enforcing a 24-hour curfew imposed on Sunday afternoon by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

Politics

Sunday Dare meets Seyi Makinde, as he plans to meet with #EndSARS Protesters

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Following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that all ministers and aides should go back to their constituents and appeal to youths in their state and region to eschew violence, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital to hold a meeting with representatives of youth wings in the state.

Sunday Dare, while briefing the state house correspondents, shortly after he met with governor Seyi Makinde on the directive of the presidency, said he will meet with the aggrieved youths this Monday.

He added that at the end of the consultative meeting with the youths, he will make use of the 25 empowerment programs designed by the federal government to engaged the youths with the help of the Oyo state government.
The Minister of youth who disclosed that he had paid on the spot assessment visit to Lagos state and areas where casualties were recorded during the #EndSARS protest, maintained that federal government will get Justice for those who lost their lives and those attacked during the protest.

As at the time of filing this report, Local Government Chairmen, Local Council Development Chairpersons, PDP chieftains, as well as Clerics and traditional rulers have arrived at the house of chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan to dialogue with the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde on how to move the state forward.

Politics

Tension In Kogi As Police Allegedly Open Fire on Journalists, Thugs

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It was gathered that the miscreants gathered at the building as early as 7:00am chanting solidarity songs with the intention to break into one of the warehouses owned by the state government.

There is currently tension in Lokoja, Kogi State, as policemen reportedly opened fire on rampaging thugs, who had converged on Zone 8 area of the town in an attempt to loot a warehouse.

It was gathered that the miscreants gathered at the building as early as 7:00am chanting solidarity songs  with the intention to break into one of the warehouses  owned by the state government.

It was also gathered that efforts by the security personnel attached to the building to pacify and calm the thugs was unsuccessful as they called for reinforcement.

This situation led to sporadic shooting in the area as school children, journalists and others in the vicinity ran for safety.

A journalist with Sun Newspaper, Emmanuel Adeyemi, was alleged to have been hit by a bullet while covering the event.

It was learnt that was he had been moved to an undisclosed medical facility for treatment.

Politics

BREAKING: Buratai, Army commanders meet on insecurity, Lekki shooting

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Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, is in a meeting with top hierarchy of the military.

They include Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and Commander of the Guards Brigade.

Also in attendance are commanders of the Army operations, unit commanders, among other senior officers.

The parley is holding at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

On the agenda are insecurity in Nigeria, End SARS protests, violence and looting in states as well as the Lagos shooting.

The Lekki toll gate incident on October 20 sparked global outrage.

The United States and others have called for probe of those who opened fire on unarmed protesters.

Politics

We didn’t hoard palliatives – Nigerian Governors

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Nigerian Governors have denied hoarding COVID-19 palliatives.

They made the denial in reaction to the looting of several warehouses nationwide.

Soon after the End SARS peaceful protests were hijacked, thousands of people in different states burgled storage facilities that housed tonnes of foodstuff.

Most of the items were donated by the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

The body comprises business moguls and companies.

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they contributed funds and used the same to procure palliatives to assist the federal and state government.

On Monday, the governors insisted that the items were not hidden as widely alleged.

Their position was contained in a statement by Abdulrazaq Bello-Barkindo, spokesman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Bello-Barkindo pleaded with members of the public to desist from spreading rumours.

He reiterated that palliatives found in warehouses broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept for members of the society especially vulnerable citizens.

“Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to ten States had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their States. This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID.

“Some other States that still had palliatives in their warehouses chose to keep a strategic reserve ahead of a projected second wave of COVID-19. The NGF wishes to state categorically that no State has been involved in or has hoarded any palliatives.”

The NGF told contributors to the palliatives that prior to the looting, states had kept full accounts of all the items received and distributed.

The governor assured that they are doing their best under the circumstances to ameliorate the needs of the population.

Entertainment, Politics

Last few days have been tough but I’m back up- Falz speaks about Lekki toll gate massacre.

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Nigerian rapper and singer, Falz who is known for the active role he played in the #Endsars protest has taken to his instagram page today to reaffirm his decision never to give up.

On the 20th of October, there was a massacre at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, where peaceful protesters were killed and injured by the Nigerian soldiers.

View the video below to listen to Falz concerning his plans to keep fighting for the young Nigerians who lost their lives at Lekki toll gate.

Politics

NASS assures justice for victims of alleged SARS abuses – Lawan

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The President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan, says the National Assembly (NASS) would ensure justice for victims of alleged abuses by the personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Lawan announced this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

He said the NASS would also ensure that the government fulfills the commitment it has made to the youths agitating for police reform and good governance.

“I want to re-assure our youths that the NASS will collaborate with the Executives to ensure justice for victims of misconduct and rights abuses by personnel of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police.

“In the same vein, to discourage impunity, we will insist that the perpetrators of the alleged abuses be prosecuted and sanctioned as appropriate.

“We will also work with the Executive to ensure that the five-point demands of the #ENDSARS protesters, which the government has committed itself to, are fully implemented.

“In the unfortunate hijack of the protests, hoodlums unleashed horrifying violence, arson, looting and wanton destruction of public and private property in the country,’’ the statement read in part.

According to Lawan, NASS is fully committed to putting the necessary legislation in place for comprehensive reform of the Police to enhance their institutional integrity and efficiency.

“As we seek a path out of this regrettable crisis, my heart goes out to the victims of the reprehensible violence and criminality witnessed in the last few days in many parts of the country.

“I send my condolences to the families of our security and law enforcement agents who have made the supreme sacrifices in the course of their service to their fatherland.

“I call for a thorough investigation of every criminal act that we have witnessed in the past few weeks with a view to bringing to justice all those elements that have callously destroyed public and private properties.’’

The president of the senate also urged the youths, across the country, to join hands with the authorities in bringing an urgent cessation to the violence.

“I call on our patriotic youths to leave the streets as the government has heard their voices and addressing their grievances to avoid unwittingly providing covers for the criminals and fifth columnists in our midst.’’

On those criminal elements unleashing terror on our cities under the guise of the protest, Lawal urged the security agencies to restore law and order across the country and bring the criminals to justice.

In restoring law and order, he charged the security agencies to do it with the utmost restraint.

“While still grappling with the havoc of COVID-19, the country can ill afford yet another epidemic that has now appeared in the form of the lawlessness that is going on.

“I thank all Nigerian leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians for their interventions towards restoring peace and order after the unfortunate degeneration of the protest into chaos and brigandage in many parts of the country.

“In particular, I thank all Nigerians for their patience and understanding in this trying moment in our dear country.

“I thank you all for your wise counsel to the protesting youths to embrace peace and for the government to be open and sincere in addressing the issues that the youths have raised so clearly,’’ Lawal said.

Politics

Hoodlums invade Abuja industrial estate, loot warehouses.

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Hundreds of hoodlums, on Sunday, invaded the Idu Industrial Layout in Abuja, raiding several warehouses.

People who witnessed the looting, reported that the thugs made away with bags of rice, cartons of tin tomatoes,  cereals, milk, bales of Ankara materials, and other items.

It was observed that despite the presence of policemen, the defiant mob continued to plunder warehouses.

The hoodlums were seen loading tricycles and motorcycles with the stolen goods as policemen fired teargas.

Politics

To realise that some of the people I spoke to were assaulted and shot at the same place that I visited, is something that breaks me -Shina Peller

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The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House of Representatives, Mr Shina Peller, tells LEKE BAIYEWU about his efforts to get the #EndSARS protesters out of the streets, using celebrities in the entertainment sector

You appeared in all-black attire to the House. What inspired your dressing this way?

I decided to wear all-black and I am going to do that for the next three days purposely to mourn the victims of Black Tuesday; the event that happened at the Lekki Tollgate where we lost Nigerians who were patriots and had stood so firm to fight in a constitutional way – through protests – to show their displeasure with police brutality and inhuman behaviour by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. These were people protesting peacefully and they (soldiers) fired at them. I felt it was high time I sympathised with them and showed a sort of respect, especially for the departed. I felt very bad. I was at the protest ground on the previous day and I spoke to a few of them. To realise that some of the people I spoke to were assaulted and shot at the same place that I visited, is something that breaks me down so deeply. Every time I remember all that happened, the process, talking to them and everything, it breaks me down.

You are a major stakeholder in the entertainment and hospitality sectors and many of the people who led the protests are entertainers. How have you used your influence to manage the crisis, especially in the National Assembly?

As you know, there are rules in the National Assembly and what we do as federal legislators include moving motions and sponsoring bills. The issue on the ground is of urgent public importance. In the House, I have taken steps. There was a motion I referred to when I was talking to people at the protest ground. It was a joint motion that was meant to be moved by a few members and me, especially the Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians’ Forum, Hon. Kabir Tukura. We took the right step for that to be done. But like I said, the House has its rules and the Speaker has the right to call whoever he chooses to allow to speak. The issue is a pressing issue and everybody will always feel that they have an opinion. But there are rules and we have a presiding officer who chooses to call on whoever he wishes, to contribute to that particular matter.

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