The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said on Thursday the state government would make the report of the judicial panel of inquiry which probed the allegation of brutality by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units public.
The panel concluded its sittings last Monday.
The governor, who addressed journalists on the ongoing efforts at rebuilding the state after last year’s destruction of public and private facilities and assets by hoodlums that hijacked the #ENDSARS protest, said the government would not make an attempt to cover up the recommendations of the panel.
He stressed that the panel report would be helpful in strengthening true reconciliation and preventing the re-occurrence of violence in the state.
Sanwo-Olu said: “The panel concluded its sittings about three days ago and has asked for time to put the reports together behind closed doors. We do not know the content of the report, but we want to say publicly that, upon the handover of the report, we will be making it public.
“We will not cover up anything. This is not who we are and that is not what our government stands for. We will make full disclosure of whatever recommendations that the panel will come up with. I assure citizens of Lagos that we will not leave anything to chance.”
Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz has disclosed his disappointment in the country’s armed forces one year after the Lekki Tollgate shooting happened at the peak of the #endSARS protest.
Falz, one of the most outspoken celebrities during the #endSARS protest stated that the military officers who ought to protect the citizens are waging war against their own people.
The singer also paid tribute to the victims of the #EndSARS protest.
He wrote;
365 days ago, Nigerian citizens were shot and killed at the toll gate by our own military men.
Today we honour them because they have sacrificed their very existence for a cause bigger than all of us.
As the #endSARS memorial protests raged across the country, a group of pro-Buhari protesters in Abuja slammed reports about the massacre at Lekki Toll Gate in 2020.
A report by BBC Pidgin on Wednesday captured the group on video at its meeting point at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, after the #endSARS protesters had left the venue.
The protesters who were conveyed to the venue by a bus held up placards stating, ”#EndSarsProtest; Lekki shooting was a hoax”, and ”Nobody died at Lekki tollgate”.
One of the organisers of the group, named Justice Vanguard, told the BBC Pidgin that nobody died during the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Lekki.
He said, “We found out that some miscreants peddled lies which is why we are here to protest against it; they claimed that there was a massacre.
Where are their bodies; we are here to put those lies to rest? There was no massacre and nobody was killed. Let there be incontrovertible evidence. We will resist any group attempting to destabilise the country. We won’t allow foreign interest groups destabilise Nigeria.”
On the reason for their small number—with the group comprising around 15 persons, the organiser rejected claims of being sponsored by the Federal Government.
“We are not sponsored, unlike the other people who are hired thugs which is why we are here in our small numbers. Nigeria will succeed irrespective of evil machinations in the form of Boko Haram and bandits.
“The truth must be established; the #EndSARS protest ought to have been stopped immediately after the former IGP dissolved the unit. The protesters ought to give the FG time to implement the five-point demands but they went after regime change because they are sponsored by foreign elements,” he noted.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the Lekki toll gate massacre of October last year as false.
He stated this in a statement on Wednesday tagged: “Phantom Massacre at Lekki tollgate” to mark the one-year anniversary of the protest.
Mohammed said the narrative by CNN that Nigerian soldiers massacred protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State on October 20, 2020 was ‘fake news’.
The minister also accused Amnesty International of speculating fake news regarding the EndSARS massacre at Lekki Tollgate.
He: “Today marks the first anniversary of the phantom massacre at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, which was the culmination of an otherwise peaceful protest that was later hijacked by hoodlums. At earlier press conferences, I had called the reported massacre at the toll gate the first massacre in the world without blood or bodies.
“One year later, and despite ample opportunities for the families of those allegedly killed and those alleging a massacre to present evidence, there has been none: No bodies, no families, no convincing evidence, nothing. Where are the families of those who were reportedly killed at the toll gate? Did they show up at the Judicial Panel of Inquiry? If not, why?
Sadly, the champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including Amnesty International and CNN, have continued to shamelessly hold on to their unproven stand. Recall, gentlemen, that after bandying different figures, Amnesty International finally settled at about 12 people killed.
“On its part, CNN went from 38 people killed to two to just one, after a supposed global exclusive even when the network had no reporter on ground at the Lekki Toll Gate on Oct. 20th, 2020.
On Monday, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that was set up by the Lagos State Government after the EndSARS protest wrapped up its sitting. During the sitting, CNN was summoned but it never showed up, thus missing a great opportunity to prove its allegation of massacre at the toll gate.”
Also, Amnesty International had a golden opportunity to convince the world, but it rather opted for issuing meaningless press releases.
“In its latest attempt to grasp at straws and redeem whatever is left of its battered credibility on this issue, CNN has continued with its baseless report that soldiers shot at protesters.”
Nicholas Okpe, one of the victims of the October 20, 2020 Lekki shooting, on Wednesday joined #EndSARS memorial protest to honour those who lost their lives.
When asked if he would join the protest again, Nicholas had said; ”By the Grace of God, despite my ordeal, I will join the protest because we are not going there to make trouble but just to mark a one year anniversary to remember our fallen heroes who fought for the betterment of our country. What is the hope of our children if we don’t take action today?
Our intention is not for violence but just to mark the one year anniversary. We will carry placards and lay wreaths for those who died. What if I had died? Wouldn’t I have wanted to be honoured? So many victims of #EndSARS are still in detention. We will also speak on their behalf to demand their release.”
In a video from the ongoing #EndSARS Memorial Protest, the young man was being interviewed about his participation last year.
He showed journalists his chest and back area where the bullet hit him and exited.
The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday ruled out the #ENDSARS anniversary protest in the state.
Youths in the state had planned at the Lekki tollgate, the epicenter of last year’s #ENDSARS protest, to mark the first anniversary of the rally against police brutality in the country.
However, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the police urged the people of the state to commemorate the anniversary in their respective homes.
The statement read: ”The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a post being circulated on the social media insinuating that the police in Lagos had agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year #ENDSARS anniversary on 20th October, 2021.
On the contrary, the police will only allow an indoor and virtual event in commemoration of the #EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue (s) if known. This is in recognition of the rights of every Nigerian to express his or her interest.
“We wish we could permit such street protests. However, intelligence at our disposal has revealed plans by some faceless groups or individuals to stage an anti-#ENDSARS anniversary protest in the state the same day.
“In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti- #ENDSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and 20th October, 2021 and beyond.
It is acknowledged that citizens have the right to peaceful protests. However, in this instance having carried out a critical security assessment and intelligence report at the disposal of the Lagos Command in respect of the planned protests and attendant implications on public safety, the Command considers it inappropriate to allow such protests to hold. It will not stand aloof and allow breakdown of law and order which the protests may cause.
“To avoid a recurrence of the gory protests of last year during which some innocent Nigerians including police officers were gruesomely murdered, private and public property plundered and maliciously destroyed, the police will not abdicate their responsibilities of protection of lives and property by allowing such avoidable incident happen again in the state.
Therefore, in the interest of security and public safety, the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, wishes to warn the organisers of the protests that the police will deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests.
“Parents, guardians are admonished to warn their children against participating in the protests. Similarly, youths and other individuals or groups planning to take part in the protests are further warned in their own interest to shelve the plan.”
Nigerian comedian, and activist, Debo Adebayo, known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, has berated his colleagues for being beneficiaries of the government, whom he claimed stifled activities of the #EndSARS anniversary.
Taking to his Instagram page on Friday, Macaroni spoke on how the government has clamped down on the events planned out one year after the protest.
The comedian further urged celebrities to consider government’s deeds and state whether it is right of them to be interacting with government for the purpose of getting benefits.
He wrote; “I wan talk my mind as e dey pain me!! E don reach one year wey EndSars happen. Anytime wey people say dem wan do anything wey relate with Endsars for this Lagos; na so so Police Vans, Trucks, even Armor Tanks wey dem go pack full the place.
This same Lagos wey dem go dey rob people for broad daylight and nobody will come to your rescue. Now October 20th is almost here.
“We say we wan do peaceful walk to Tollgate, dem say no. Oya make we do Summit for Landmark Event Center, in a controlled environment and discuss with ourselves, some powers above don threaten them.
“Those ones don talk say we no fit hold event there again. And how can anyone blame them honestly? Dem dey protect themselves, dem business and customers.
“My question is, can’t Nigerian Youths gather again to discuss the Way forward? Ok. Na una plan to rule forever be this??
Lagos State Government has an event this evening. Infact Top Celebrities go dey there to perform.
“Lagos state dey do show days before October 20th but other Lagosians can’t gather for their own peaceful summit?? Before I talk finish now, you go hear ‘they will hijack your summit’.
“So how Una dey do Una own shows and political rallies wey dem no dey Hijack am?
“For the celebrities, make we dey reason this thing. Government no good but una dey chop Government money.
I no say make anybody no chop. But there are some things bigger than money!! If na Government wey dey treat the people better now, e for even better. People are suffering and these people are doing nothing about it!
“The last time wey police carry me, dem beat me and the others!! They stripped us Naked!! Dem dey ask me say “Sheyb na me wan dey disturb Governor Abi” Shey na that kain Government I go respect?
“If there will be any peaceful walk on the 20th, I’m still down. But it must be all of us together.
“E no go bad if Una go for the Government’s show and still attend a summit or take a walk for the youths. Everybody want Coconut Water but nobody want make dem break the coconut for their head.
For Nigeria, even if you let them break Coconut on your head, powers above still fit no let the others drink the coconut water. We must all come together!”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, declared on Thursday that the Nigerian Police Force lacks the power to ban public protests in the country.
Falana’s declaration came a day after the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, warned that the police would not allow anyone to stage another #EndSARS rally to mark the first anniversary of the protests that rocked different parts of the country last year.
In a statement he personally signed, the lawyer dismissed the police threats on the protest as illegal and totally against the fundamental rights of the citizens to freedom of expression and association.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to direct all Commissioners of Police across the country to give adequate security to people who may wish to embark on the protest.
The statement read: “In view of the threat of the police authorities to ban Nigerians from exercising their fundamental rights to assemble and hold peaceful rallies to mark the first year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, it has become pertinent to draw attention to the current state of the law on public meetings, rallies, and processions in the country.
“The threats against peaceful rallies oozing out of the Police Headquarters and State Commands are illegal as they constitute a gross infringement of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly guaranteed by sections 38 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.
In the case of the All Nigeria People’s Party v Inspector-General of Police (2006) the Honourable Justice Anwuri Chiyere declared that police permit as a precondition for holding rallies in Nigeria was illegal and unconstitutional. Consequently, her ladyship granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police and other police officers from preventing Nigerian citizens from convening and participating in rallies.
“The appeal of the police against the judgment was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December 2007. In the unanimous decision of the court, their Lordships described police permit as ‘a relic of colonialism’ which is anomalous in a democratic society.
Based on the epochal judgment of the Court of Appeal the National Assembly amended the Electoral Act 2010 in March 2015 to impose a duty on the police to provide security for participants in public meetings and rallies. For the avoidance of doubt, section 94 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides:
“Notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order Act and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision of adequate security as provided in subsection (1) of this section.”
Furthermore, Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides as follows:
“Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.”
The events of the #EndSARS protests that culminated in the shooting of #EndSARS demonstrators on the night of October 20, 2020, at the Lekki toll plaza, Lagos, have been adapted into a documentary set to premiere on August 28.
According to a statement issued on Friday by producer, Seun Oloketuyi and associate producer Rolake Adesina, the film seeks to revive debates about #EndSARS and the circumstances that birthed the historic movement, the producers of the movie said.
The film narrates the horrific escapades of the Nigeria Police Force and its defunct brutal department, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that has been accused of decades of brutality and human rights abuses.
The documentary is amplifying the conversation and revival of the debate about #ENDSARS, and the surrounding factors that necessitated the movement which is still with us today, highlighting voices that inspire and drive positive democratic change in Nigeria.
“This is a fitting reminder of the power to make a change when we stand up for justice” a press release noted.
The trailer to the documentary will be released on August 26 via all social media handles of the global streaming platform Meroestream before the actual premiere.
President Muhammadu Buhari says he told Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to tell residents of the state to “walk” after buses were burnt during the #EndSARS protest last year.
In October 2020, protests against police brutality rocked Lagos and several states across the country. In the wake of the protests, hoodlums wrecked havoc by looting, and razing vehicles and buildings across the country. Several vehicles under the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme in Lagos were also burnt.
Following the incident, Sanwo-Olu had paid a visit to Buhari with a photo album of the destruction recorded in the state during the protests.
Speaking during NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria show on Friday, Buhari said he told the Lagos governor that the federal government didn’t have the funds to replace the burnt buses.
“Look at the #EndSARS incident in Lagos. The previous governor of Lagos state bought 200 buses to complement the transportation in Lagos. And he built a complex. But they went and burnt them.
“The present governor made an album and came to see me. I said ‘Thank you very much’. I took the album, put it in my archives and I told him to tell the Lagosians to walk, because we don’t have the money.
“After an administration bought over 200 buses, for some people to come and burn it? So, let them walk,” Buhari said.
An activist, Oluwatosin Adeniji, has accused RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, of pocketing an #EndSARS grant which she claimed Sowore collected in her name in 2020.
Adeniji, a known associate of Sowore and a member of his #RevolutionNow movement, said while she was in police custody last November, the Sahara Reporters publisher applied for the grant on her behalf, without her knowledge.
She and five others were arrested in front of the National Assembly complex, Abuja, last November for staging an #EndSARS protest. They were remanded in prison but later released on bail.
Narrating her ordeal on Tuesday, Adeniji, with Twitter handle @callmerahila, said Sowore and his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, applied for a grant in her name but the funds were not released to her.
She wrote, “@YeleSowore, it’s sad that you of all people could take advantage of my predicament. I went to prison last year November over #EndSARS but you decided to apply for a grant in my name without informing me, before, during, and after the application was made.
“Fast forward to January, I found out that a grant was applied for in my name but since you @YeleSowore was in detention I had to ask your lawyer @TopeAkinyod because I found out that he was the lawyer involved in the process.
First, you admitted that a grant was applied for in my name through the late Innocent Chukwuma but you are not sure he submitted the application till his death. You also raised concerns that it is possible that the late Innocent submitted the application and someone went behind your back to get the funds. This sounds absolutely unbelievable, especially coming from a man of your kind who would cross seven seas to unravel a mystery.
“I really feel oppressed and sad that after giving my commitment to serve in your movement for years to fight a system of oppression, the same you is this person dishing out all this oppression and lies just to get away with it.”
Sowore, has, however denied Adeniji’s claim.
He tweeted; “I never applied for or received any grants in her name or her behalf!”
”A RESPONSE: @callmerahila reached out to me earlier claiming a grant app was written in her name and I have confirmed to her that nothing of such existed. Further I volunteered to refund her if any grant was collected on her behalf without her knowledge!
”Without prejudice to any further action she will take! Pls note that this response is not intended as an attack on @callmerahila, she’s been a committed member of our movt over these yrs and assisted me in the last two years in particular while I was unjustly detained. Thanks!
Lastly, if anyone knows of any foundation that issued a grant on her behalf without her knowledge kindly reveal it to the public so that she can get her rightful entitlement. I never applied for or received any grants in her name or her behalf!”
Popular Critic, Reno Omokri has hired Popular Nigerian Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mike Ozekhome to represent and facilitate the release of popular comedian, Mr. Macaroni.
Popular Instagram Comedian, Mr. Macaroni was arrested by officers of the Nigerian police command on Saturday morning at Lekki Toll gate. it will be recalled that #OccupyLekkiTollgate protesters stormed the toll gate to protest against its re-opening.
The Toll Gate has been shut down for months following the killing of several #EndSARS protesters by Nigerian Soldiers. Omokri announced the development via a tweet on saturday evening;
“I have just engaged the services of Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN to act for @mrmacaronii. They are on their way to Panti Police Station.”
“If anyone is in contact with Debo, let him know that Mike Ozekhome is representing him in this matter #OccupyLekkiTollGate #OccupyLekkiTollGateLegal”
Rinu Oduala, an #EndSARS protest promoter, has vowed not to stop demanding justice for the victims of police brutality and casualties of the #LekkiMassacre.
More protesters arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday were taken away from the scene in a Lekki Concession Company Black Maria, as armed policemen continue to crack down on peaceful protesters at the toll plaza.
The van, conveying about 13 protesters, was driven off to an unknown location. In reaction to the arrests, Oduala made this known on her verified Twitter account on Saturday while reacting to the campdown on #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
SanwoOlu, tell your boys to prepare more Black Marias, because we won’t stop demanding for justice!” – Rinu, one of the prominent youths in the fight against police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the country tweeted.
The #OccupyLekkitollgate protest and a counter-protest, #DefendLagos, were scheduled to hold at the same time at Lekki toll gate by 7 a.m. on Saturday.
The protest and counter-protest are fall outs of the ruling to reopen the Lekki tollgate by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry despite an ongoing investigation into the shooting of peaceful protesters by Nigerian soldiers on October 20, 2020 and other alleged human rights abuses by the police.
Reactions continue to trail the arrests of Nigerian comedian and activist, Debo Adebayo known as MC Macaroni who was arrested as he was on IG live at the premises of Lekki Toll Gate from other celebrities in the country.
Rinu Oduala Friday stepped down from the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up to investigate cases of police brutality in the state.
She announced the decision in a series of tweets on Friday.
“I will be stepping down from the Lagos Judicial Panel as it is now obvious that the government is only out to use us for performative actions,” she said.
Rinu and Majekodunmi Temitope had been sworn into the panel on October 27, 2020, to represent the youths in the wake of the nationwide #EndSARS protests.
While thanking the government for the invitation and some of the successes recorded from the panel, she, however, stated that she would not be part of a cover-up.
“What I will not do is to be part of a cover-up. I am proud that I took the invitation because some of the successes the panel has recorded so far have been incredibly powerful for the people,” she said.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has declared that the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to freeze the accounts of promoters of the #EndSARS protests is “gross infringement” to the fundamental right to a fair hearing.
The human rights lawyer who made the comments in a statement issued on Wednesday also used the medium to warn the CBN against freezing the accounts of activists.
He said that CBN approached the Federal High Court for an ex parte order to freeze the bank accounts of #EndSARS protesters on the 4th of November 2020.
Falana added, “The CBN asked for 180 days to investigate the #EndSARS protesters for the offences of money laundering and terrorism. Convinced that the CBN was telling the truth, the court ordered that the bank accounts be frozen for 90 days.
“Since the #EndSARS protesters did not commit any offence whatsoever, the CBN did not investigate them until the ex parte order expired on February 4, 2021. It was on the basis of the expiration of the ex parte order that the case of the CBN was struck out by the Federal High Court.”
He also recalled how the court gave favourable judgment to activists during the “dark days of military” and the CBN at that time never filed any ex parte motion to freeze anybody’s account.
“It is pertinent to recall that during the dark days of the military dictatorship in Nigeria, those of us in the front line of the battle for the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria were routinely arrested and detained under the obnoxious State Security (Detention of Persons Decreed) No 2 of 1984.
In desperation, the military dictators charged us with sundry criminal offences including treasonable felony for having the temerity to challenge their corrupt practices and human rights abuse. But the courts ensured that we were admitted to bail in liberal terms.”
Falana added that “Our passports were impounded at the airports and confiscated by the National Security Organisation (now Department of State Services, DSS) to prevent us from travelling abroad to expose the atrocities of the dictators. But the passports were released to us on the orders of our courts.
It is on record that the Central Bank of Nigeria, which was manned by professional bankers, never filed any ex parte application to freeze our accounts.
“Let the CBN stop freezing the bank accounts of activists because it constitutes a gross infringement of the fundamental right to fair hearing and property,” Falana warned.
Prominent Black Lives Matters activists and celebrities have written to Nigeria’s president demanding justice over the treatment of people during protests against police brutality.
The group, which includes singer Alicia Keys and campaigner Greta Thunberg, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to free jailed protesters.
They also called for a “transparent investigation” into the alleged killing of protesters by armed forces.
“We cannot stay silent,” they said.
Witnesses say they saw soldiers open fire on protesters in Lagos on 20 October after weeks of protests, which began against the much-hated police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), but then morphed into greater calls for better governance.
“In the midst of a global pandemic, your people sought to bring peace and justice to their land, and they made Africa and its diaspora proud in doing so,” the letter to President Buhari said.
“Yet their peaceful requests were met with state-sanctioned violence and suppression, as your administration meted out unwarranted force against its own unarmed citizens.”
The letter was organised by #BlackLivesMatter movement co-founder Opal Tometi, and timed to coincide with International Human Rights Day.
Other signatories included actors Kerry Washington, Danny Glover and Mark Ruffalo, as well as writers Afua Hirsch, Reni Eddo-Lodge and Naomi Klein.
“As people who have supported the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States and throughout the diaspora, we cannot be silent when similar atrocities take place in African countries,” the letter said.
“We demand respect for the Nigerian people, especially as they engage in their constitutional right to protest grave injustices.”
As well as demanding the release of all jailed protesters, activists and journalists, the signatories demand that all soldiers and security officials responsible for the alleged shooting at Lekki Toll Gate on 20 October are held to account, and that the ban on peaceful protests is lifted.
A judicial panel has been set up in Lagos to investigate both events at Lekki and the activities of Sars. While it promises neutrality and justice, some protesters say they fear government retribution if they speak out.
Since the protests, a number of activists say they have been targeted by the authorities, the BBC’s Mayeni Jones reports. Some have had their bank accounts frozen by the Nigerian Central Bank and some have been detained without charge, before being eventually released.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the new NANS President said the association does not recognise the #EndSARS movement because it does not have a leader.
The newly-elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Sunday Asefon, has condemned the #EndSARS movement, aimed at ending police brutality across the country.
Asefon, 45, said the #EndSARS protest would not solve the problem of police brutality because the Inspector-General of Police had dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit.
In October, youths across the country took to the streets to condemn human rights abuses by members of SARS. The protest was later hijacked by hoodlums which led to the loss of lives and property.
This followed the killing of an unconfirmed number of youths by men of the Nigerian Army who invaded the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos and shot some of the protesters.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the new NANS President said the association does not recognise the #EndSARS movement because it does not have a leader.
“Any protest that is faceless, NANS under my watch will not be a party to it,” he said.
Asefon said leaders of the association would be meeting the Nigerian government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) towards ending the eight-month-old strike by university lecturers.
He said he would be consulting with the representatives of the two feuding parties to find common ground to end the prolonged strike.
“I am convinced that this high-level consultation will yield a positive result, and we will not have to resort to mobilising students to mount any protest to this ridiculous long stay at home.
“NANS, under my watch, will not be complicit to such an unending strike and never again will Nigerian students have to stay home this long,” he said in a statement.
A source who works in the Lekki area of Lagos, has confirmed the heavy presence of police and soldiers at the toll gate plaza.
In what appears to be an attempt to forestall another round of #EndSARS protests, armed police officers and soldiers were on Monday spotted at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos.
According to different Twitter users, the security operatives were deployed around midnight.
The Lagos State Police Command had on Sunday in a statement by its spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, threatened that “security agencies will not fold their arms” as youths plan fresh protests against police brutality and extortion.
The statement was issued after a poster, titled “#EndSARS reloaded phase II” went viral on social media.
It was stated in the poster that the “phase II” of the #EndSARS protest would begin on Monday, December 7 in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Delta, and Bayelsa.
The demands of the protesters are “Buhari, Buratai, Sanwo-Olu must resign and face ICC for killing innocent Nigerians at Lekki toll; free all #EndSARS protesters; unfreeze all bank accounts of #EndSARS protesters and referendum.”
In October, many citizens took to the streets across Nigeria to express their frustration against police harassment.
However, hoodlums hijacked the demonstrations to unleash violence on citizens. Public and private properties were looted and destroyed in the process.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have continued to tweet on #ENDSARS on social media, calling for an end to bad governance and police brutality. Old videos of the protests held in Abuja and Lagos are being circulated online with the hashtag.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has appealed to Nigerian youths to shelve any plan of embarking on another round of#EndSARS protests, saying such move would be premature, dangerous and counterproductive.
Bello in a special broadcast to Nigerian youths on Sunday, said he was worried following intelligence reports that youths were mobilizing to resume another round of#EndSARS protests in some selected cities beginning from tomorrow, Monday December 7. According to him, there was urgent need for all relevant stakeholders to take steps that would ensure the country does not witness another round of #EndSARS protests. He said the country was yet to recover from the devastating impacts of the last #EndSARS protests whichever were hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed unimaginable mayhem on innocent people and engaged in massive looting and destruction of both public and private infrastructures across the country. According to him, another round of protests will worsen the already precarious security situation and economic recession currently bedeviling the country. “I deem another round of #EndSARS protests to be premature and counter-productive at this time.
Apart from the higher likelihood of conflict with the police earlier canvassed, we must also admit that the security situation in the country is very precarious at the moment. “All patriots must therefore make conscious efforts not to degrade a parlous security situation further. Nationwide protests at this time will only overburden the load-bearing capabilities of our security architecture increasing the likelihood of total collapse. No matter the narrative, I doubt that out-of-control anarchy is an objective of the #EndSARS protests. “It is also true that we live in an economy that is bleeding badly right now. Traditional responses to COVID-19 has hurt, not just Nigeria, but all other countries of the world. Many have fallen into recession. “To worsen matters, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) predicted 3 days ago that the pandemic could push the number of people living in extreme poverty to over 1 billion by 2030. Thank God they are owning up to my earlier prediction, warning and caution. “Nigeria’s earning and foreign exchange situation is too fragile as we speak to resist sustained shocks. Another nationwide protest will worsen the multidimensional poverty indices all over our country and work greater hardship on the ordinary Nigerians we claim to be advocating for”, he said. He said apart from the negative impacts of such protests on security situation and the nation’s economy, it will also will also lead to disruptions f several social activities and celebrations people have already planned during the Yuletide season.
“There are also sociocultural implications. Nigerians tend to travel a lot during the Christmas holidays. Statistics show that travel during this period is not only for pleasure as widely supposed. “For many of our people, this is the only time in the year when they can attend to pressing life responsibilities like marriages, hospital appointments, funerals of loved ones and even community improvement events. “As a Governor, I am aware hundreds of such events will happen in towns big and small in my state and beyond. Many have been fixed for months or even years in advance with much expense already gone into planning. “All of these will be disrupted by nationwide protests at this time and I appeal to the great Nigerian youths not to be the harbingers of so much pain and loss to their compatriots – individuals, families and communities alike. “Then of course, we have sociopolitical reasons to thread carefully. We have the example of countries which have gone the path of chaotic social change only to collapse as proof that action and caution are siamese twins in the journey of all successful revolutions” he said. He said the government in response to earlier demands by the Nigerian youths, had set up panels in various states of the federation where issues of abuses and human rights violations were currently being handled, adding that the youths should explore that avenue to seek redress. Governor Bello also advised the youths to look beyond protests as the only means of effecting social change in the country, adding they should begin to organize themselves to take part in the 2023 political process which could help them to effect the necessary changes in the country. “Contrary to perceptions, 2023 General Elections are not far at all. If God keeps our lives, we are only about 800 days away from February, 2023 when all of this youthful energy can be harnessed and channeled properly for a true revolution via the ballot box.
Till then, there is more than enough work before the #EndSARS group. “I therefore appeal to the Nigerian Youth, especially the #EndSARS protesters, to rethink all plans for protests at this time, and indeed before the Panels have rounded off their assignments. Such would be premature, dangerous and above all, counter-productive to our stated aims and objectives. “I must also stress that when all is said and done, the fastest route to desired social change in a democracy is via the political process. The guarantee of periodic elections and change of guard in government is one reason never to burn it all down at once. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the US protesters is how much they have utilized the ballot box in 2020”, he said.
According to the minister, the just concluded #The EndSARS protest, which gripped the whole country, has caused a lot of suffering to the people.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the current hardship Nigerians are facing.
According to the minister, the just concluded #The EndSARS protest, which gripped the whole country, has caused a lot of suffering to the people.
Recall that thousands of Nigerians held the #EndSARS campaign in October, taking to the streets to protest police brutality.
The protests resulted in the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the police.
Speaking at the commissioning of a central mosque built by Ta’Awunu Islamic group in Iwo, Osun State, on Saturday, Aregbesola said, “The President is aware of the hardship facing the citizens of the country. This was caused by the pandemic and the #EndSARS protests which erupted in many states of the federation. The president is doing all his best, and I can assure you that very soon, all will be well and we will be happy again.
“My reasons for coming to the state is in two folds; #EndSARS and to remind us that Coronavirus is still very much with us. We can’t afford to return to when the virus was at its peak in the country. That is why we must observe social distancing and use our face masks always. Cases are still being recorded every day.
“During this festive period, we must be cautious. We should obey the holy prophet’s teachings that say, ‘When there is an epidemic somewhere, we should not live there, and those outside should not join until the epidemic is over.’ We must take responsibilities for our lives.”
A date has been fixed for members of UK Parliament to debate sanctions against the Nigerian government over its handling of the historic #EndSARS protests last month.
Recall that in the wake of the #EndSARS protest, a petition was launched to implement sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials. The petition got over 220,000 signatures.
Following the success of the petition, members of the UK Parliament have scheduled November 23 to debate sanctions against the Nigerian government. They will consider a petition from hundreds of thousands of Nigerians that asked them to look into the killings and gross violations of human rights abuses by security forces and other officials.
It is however unclear if the British lawmakers would recommend sanctions after debating the petitions, or if the government would implement them considering Nigeria’s long-standing ties with the UK.
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