Lifestyle

Anarchic actions

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People who destroyed properties in the name of protest should be fished out and punished.

OBVIOUSLY, those who took advantage of the widespread #EndSARS protests and set fire to many commuter buses in Lagos, among other things, should be arrested, tried and punished. Their destructive actions are condemnable. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminals at Iddo, Ojodu and Ikotun in Lagos were affected.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said 80 BRT vehicles were destroyed: 23 big BRT buses burnt at Ojodu and 57 medium-sized BRT buses burnt at Iddo. The 80 destroyed BRT buses are valued at N3.929 billion.

The protests against police brutality and abuse of power that prompted the disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), known as SARS, did not justify wanton destruction.

The police arrested two suspects, Ebere Reuben, 29, and Samuel Oyediran, 16, allegedly involved in burning the BRT terminal at Berger and Television Continental (TVC) at Ikosi-Ketu. According to Lagos police commissioner Hakeem Odumosu, “a total of 520 suspects” were arrested for various offences including “arson, robbery, murder, rioting, malicious damage, and unlawful possession of firearms.”

The list of destroyed public assets includes the High Court complex, Igbosere; Lagos State DNA and Forensic Center, Broad Street; Ejigbo LCDA secretariat; City Hall, Lagos Island; COVID-19 warehouse at Monkey Village; Ajeromi Ifelodun LG secretariat; and NPA head office, Marina.

It is disturbing that 16 police stations were burnt by rampaging mobs across the state, and 13 police formations were vandalized as well as police posts at Mowo, Morogbo, Ikota and Mawa, symbolizing a breakdown of law and order.

Odumosu said:  ”Some private facilities, as well as other investments that were partly torched and vandalized/looted, include the Oba of Lagos’ Palace; Television Continental (TVC) at Ikosi-Ketu; Access Bank, GTBank and Ebeano Supermarket at Victoria Island; The Nation office at Fatai Atere Street, Mushin; Shoprite Malls at Ajah; LTV 8, Alausa, Ikeja; Samsung outlet at Apple Roundabout, Festac; Shoprite at Festac; and Samsung Office, Oyingbo.”

Rebuilding Lagos, the hardest-hit state, will require not only political will but also massive funding. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, spoke about the huge funds needed for the reconstruction and repair of the affected properties and infrastructure, saying he “learnt from the governor of Lagos State that it will take N1trn to rebuild what had been lost.”

It is significant that 17 senators representing the six Southwest states, after a visit to assess the scale of the destruction, concluded that the state government could not carry the burden alone and promised to push for assistance from the Federal Government.

The state’s status as the country’s economic and commercial capital makes rebuilding it crucial. It is lamentable that funds which could have been used to further develop the state would now have to be used for its rehabilitation.

Furthermore, the destruction of infrastructure will make things difficult for many people. For instance, the burning of BRT buses means that commuters will scramble for places on fewer buses, compounding the city’s transport problem. Also, the burning of police stations will compound the challenges of the police and diminish their capacity to maintain law and order.

Police investigation into the mayhem should be thorough. Some of the arrested suspects were reported saying they were innocent, and “claimed they were arrested at the bus stop or apprehended in front of their shops or near their homes.” The police must avoid scapegoating. This applies to all #EndSARS –related cases of looting and arson across the country.

Sponsored hoodlums are believed to have hijacked the #EndSARS protests and introduced violence and destruction. Beyond arresting and prosecuting those who carried out the anarchic actions, the police should track down those who masterminded the mayhem.

Politics

Nigeria: attempt to cover up killing of #EndSars protesters exposed

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Detailed timeline of events leading up to Lekki Toll Gate massacre released

Bodies reportedly removed in apparent attempt to dispose of evidence

 ‘What happened at Lekki Toll Gate has all the traits … of a cover-up’ – Osai Ojigho

 The Nigerian authorities must end their attempts to cover up last week’s Lekki Toll Gate massacre, Amnesty International said, as it released powerful new findings from a fresh investigation into the atrocity a week on.

 In a detailed timeline – available here – Amnesty’s Crisis Response experts have investigated and verified social media videos and photographs that confirm the Nigerian security forces were present at the Lekki Toll Gate when the shootings occurred.

 The evidence confirms that Nigerian Army vehicles left Bonny Camp, a military base approximately a seven-minute drive from the toll gate, at 6.29pm local Lagos time on 20 October. 

 Footage then tracks the vehicles to the toll gate – with four vehicles apparently belonging to the Nigerian military and police seen with flashing lights heading in a convoy heading east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue – which changes its name to the Lekki-Epe Expressway – in the direction of the

toll gate. En route, the vehicles passed several international buildings, including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission.

 Further photographs and footage capture the vehicles arriving at the toll gate, before the peaceful protest is disrupted by men in military uniform, and gunfire is heard at approximately 6.45pm as the soldiers opened fire on #EndSars protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality.

As night time descended, protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings. Later in the evening, videos of the victims were also shared on social media

Amnesty is again calling on the Nigerian authorities to bring to justice those behind the shooting and to protect those who are exercising their right to freedom of assembly.

Amnesty is meanwhile still investigating the shooting and the reported removal of bodies of those killed by the military in an attempt to cover up the incident.

Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said:

“What happened at Lekki Toll Gate has all the traits of the Nigerian authorities’ pattern of a cover-up whenever their defence and security forces commit unlawful killings.

“One week on, the Nigerian authorities still have many questions to answer: who ordered the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters? Why were CCTV cameras on the scene dismantled in advance? And who ordered electricity to be turned off minutes before the military opened fire on protesters?

“The initial denials of the involvement of soldiers in the shooting was followed by the shameful denial of the loss of lives as a result of the military’s attack against the protests.

“Many people are still missing since the day of the incident, and credible evidence shows that the military prevented ambulances from reaching the severely injured in the aftermath.”

#EndSars protests

Amnesty has been monitoring developments across Nigeria since the #EndSars protest began on 8 October.

Nigerians have been taking to the streets peacefully demanding an end to brutality, extortion and extrajudicial executions by the Special Anti-Robbery

Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police tasked with fighting violent crimes. 

 At least 56 people have died across the country since the protests began. In multiple cases, the security forces have used excessive force in an attempt to control or stop the protests. 

Politics

#EndSARS: FG earmarks N75bn for youths development

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In response to the yearnings of Nigerian youths, the Federal Government said it has set aside N75 billion Youths Fund for their development projects for the next three years.

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Kaduna on Saturday, said, the fund, which broken down to N25 billion per year, is meant to support the youths to actualize the creative and entrepreneurial ideas of the Government.

The Minister who was in Kaduna alongside the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, also said, they were in Kaduna in response to the directive of President Muhammadu, who ordered all the Ministers to go back home and engage with their state governments and other stakeholders over the recent violence occasioned by the #EndSARS protests across the country.

According to her, “We came to meet with the Government of Kaduna State to discuss the issue of protests that have been happening around our country, specifically, the #EndSARS.

“The State has prepared an excellent report and rendered to us on all the plans and efforts they have undertaken and we have also come to understand the challenges that they have and how best to support them.

“We are here in response to the directive Mr. President gave to all Ministers to go back home and engage the major stakeholders within the states to see how best we can support the states in trying to address the security issues that we have at this time. So, it was a wonderful meeting and it was very productive.

“What we are doing at the Federal level is that we have set aside N25bn Youths Fund. It is actually an N75bn fund for three years. So, we are starting with N25bn for 2021. The fund is meant to support the youths to actualize creative and entrepreneurial ideal that we have, so that, they can be more productive, be their own bosses and employ other youths,” she said.

Speaking on the Ministry of Environment’s programmes for the Youths, the Environment Minister, Dr. Abubakar said, his ministry has established recycling plants across the states, which are already employing the youths.

According to him, “the Ministry of Environment as one of the ministries involved in the 774,000 jobs, has built various recycling plants in the states that are engaging the youths in terms of employment and also giving them the opportunity to recycle products especially plastic wastes.

“We have just gotten approval on our new policy on plastic waste management in the country. It was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.

“Also, the Ministry of Environment is working on several initiatives that will create employment opportunities and create wealth for the youths,” he said.

In her own remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe expressed appreciation to the people of Kaduna State, especially the youths for remaining peaceful despite the widespread protests across the country.

Lifestyle

Janet Jackson declares support for Nigeria’s ‘brave’ #EndSARS campaigners’

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United States music star, Janet Jackson, on Thursday, joined top personalities worldwide who have supported Nigerian #EndSARS campaigners in their bid to end police brutality in the country.

Jackson, who reacted to the shooting of the protesters by the military on her Twitter handle, described the #EndSARS campaigners as “young and brave future leaders.”

She wrote: “To the powerful people of Nigeria, especially to the young, brave, future leaders who have stood fearlessly in the face of corruption and greed, I stand with you.

“For all those who refuse to remain chained to another generation of suffering, I pray to God for your justice and liberation. Enough is truly enough. Nigeria is a land of love, beauty, culture, and pride but those who have chosen to murder and brutalise have brought shame to this great nation.

“Your time is up. Nigeria I pray for you and I love you so much. #EndSARS #LekkiMassacre #EndPoliceBrutality.”

Politics

Military takes over Enugu airport, Okpara square over #ENDSARS protests

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Military operatives on Wednesday took over the popular Okpara Square where #ENDSARS protesters gather every morning.

There was also heavy military presence at the entrance of Enugu airport over fear of possible attack.

The deployment followed blockage of Abakpa, Nike, Nike Lake and Liberty roads by protesters.

They also blocked NOWAS, Trans Ekulu and Emene areas in the metropolis.

Tyres were set on fire and used to block major roads.

These hampered movements and virtually shut down business activities in affected areas of the town.

The Abakpa market was shut down for most parts of the day just as timber market all in Abakpa area.

The situation caused fear in the area as residents and business owners scampered for safety.

At Emene, shop owners ran helter skelter in fear and closed shops in anticipation of the protesters who had also set up burnfire at some locations.

Business owners and banks around Ogui Road and Okpara Avenue among others closed for fear of being attacked.

Business

Delta Airlines Cancels Two More Flights Over #EndSARS Protests In Nigeria

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Delta Airlines has cancelled two more flights earlier scheduled to come in and go out of Nigeria as a result of the ongoing #EndSARS protests in the country.

The airline cancelled Flight 248 from Atlanta, United States, to Lagos, Nigeria, and Flight 249 from Lagos to Atlanta scheduled for Tuesday night (today) and also Wednesday evening due to the tension caused by demonstration in the country.

Earlier, SaharaReporters revealed that Delta Airlines Flight 54 from Atlanta to Lagos was forced to return to America after first terminating its journey in Dakar, Senegal, with the entire crew and passengers on board.

Young people across Nigeria are calling for police reforms and improved governance but the peaceful exercise has now been overtaken by armed gangs attacking innocent civilians and wreaking havoc all over the place.

State governments have been forced to adopt various measures including the imposing of indefinite curfew to arrest the situation.

Lifestyle

#EndSARS: Oyo protesters block Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

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Scores of youths on Tuesday morning poured out in some areas in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and blocked the Ojoo end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in continuation of the #EndSARS protests rocking the country.

The expressway was barricaded where those travelling to Oyo town and the northern part of the country would pass to link the Ibadan-Ilorin road.

As early as 8am, our correspondent gathered that the protesters were out barricading roads at various junctions.

The barricade forced some vehicles to turn back and find alternative routes but not quite long, the protesters started blocking all the exit routes.

This caused gridlock and some motorists had to park their vehicles by the roadside out of frustration.

The youths also mounted roadblock in front of the police station in Ojoo in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The police had to lock their gate and their patrol vehicles which used to be parked by the roadside were all removed and parked on the premises.

Some armed policemen were, however, were at alert inside the police station but there was no incident as of the time of filing this report.

Also, various junctions were blocked by the protesters on the Ojoo-UI road as the youth continued to chant, ‘EndSARS! No SWAT!’

Politics

#EndSARS: Thugs Attack Osun Gov

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Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, narrowly escaped on Saturday as he was attacked by armed thugs while addressing the #EndSARS protest in Osogbo.

Armed with cutlasses and sticks the hoodlums swooped on the governor at Olaiya junction, while he was addressing the #EndSARS protesters in the state capital. The governor was immediately ferried away from the scene by his security details.

Vehicles in the governor’s convoy were also attacked and damaged as the hoodlums threw stones at the convoy.

Governor Oyetola had joined protesters in the walk from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya junction in the state capital, singing with them and promising them that their demands will be looked into.

Oyetola also assured the protesters that he supported their peaceful agitations, which he said was part of democratic process.

However, while still addressing the youths, hoodlums swooped on the gathering.

Lifestyle

Important Lessons From #EndSARS Protests By Adewale Adeoye

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The protest has been wrongly defined as a youth protest. No, it is a protest by Nigerians irrespective of age. Youths are more because they form the bulk of Nigerian population.

There was no date announced for the protests. It took off like a single match, then it became a box of matches, and then became a huge fire.

Many Nigerians live under the illusion that revolution is not possible. They think Nigerians are docile. That is a lack of a deep sense of history. How wrong. These protests have proved that nothing is permanent but change, including change in human thought processes.

The protest has been wrongly defined as a youth protest. No, it is a protest by Nigerians irrespective of age. Youths are more because they form the bulk of Nigerian population.

Though we all call it #END SARs protest, the demands are far more than that. #ENDSARs is just a slogan for the demand for the transformation of Nigeria from a ghetto society to an egalitarian society. They imposed electricity tariffs, nobody spoke, they increased fuel, nobody spoke. People in power feel they can do anything and get away with it. This is a stupid way to think.

The protests are not concentrated in one place, making it more difficult for the security operatives to isolate and destroy.

In a decent society, the Inspector-General of Police should have resigned.

The protest is not a vote against democracy. Let no mad soldiers think they can be funny. The protest is a vote for the deepening of democracy, the rule of law, against corruption, insensitivity and reckless leadership at all levels including corporate and financial institutions all out to exploit and kill all of us with their anti-people policies.

Just getting out of COVID 19, millions now earn half salary. Millions have been sacked; the government solution was to come up with a fuel electricity hike in the midst of the pains and pangs. Haba!!! Many Nigerians are seeing death lurking around them. This can lead to anything.

The protest is largely by decent people. Let us hope the next protests won’t be by the ‘baddest’ men and women. The choice will be made by the government, either to address the grievances or gloss over it.

If there had been an NLC/TUC rally against fuel and electricity hike last week, these ongoing mass protests would not have taken place. It would have been a case of a massive protest led by labour because this same crowd was gearing up to be part of the Nation-wide protest. Labour did not gauge the desperate mood of the long suffering people of Nigeria. Labour lost this great honour. If any labour leaders try to address the rally, I tell you, they will be mobbed. The beauty would

have been labour leading this protest backed with fundamental demands that could have enhanced greater transformation of Nigeria. That is lost.

These rallies have proved once again that the people are the custodians of power, the power to protest, the power of liberation is in their pockets, not in the hands of any leadership. In our quest for a better society, Nigerians are not the problem, the leadership is, either in government or within the liberation movements including labour. Nigerians can be effectively mobilized with the right people leading them on the route for a better society.

The power of social media in effective mobilisation has been enormous. Some 126 million Nigerians have access to the Internet. Civil society, the media, state and federal government should learn this truth. Those who think Nigerian people are disorganised are mistaken. Every Nigerian is organised in one platform or the other. This rally has further confirmed this reality.

I was in VI and Alausa on Tuesday and at Gbagada today. I see organised groups. We should study these protests and take notes. Knowledge is often learnt every day. The protesters are teaching us new lessons. All over history, the wo(man) on the street has always been a great teacher. Great politicians learn from the actions of the people, their fears and aspirations, to be able to articulate their pangs in a development plan.

Without the traditional progressive movements, listen, Revolution can come in Nigeria. The nature, I don’t know. But it is sheer arrogance to assume that only a revolution led by already known people will be qualitative.

I’m not sure what will be the gains of the protests. I’m only sure the gains will be minimal for many reasons: No organised platform of leadership to negotiate with, no strategic leadership coordination for sustainability, no political platform to transform the energy into the quest for real, democratic society.

However, history has been made. I see more coordinated rallies in the future. I see more trouble. Let the operators of the system think. Let them act. Let them address hunger, poverty, cruelty of police and political leadership and the guzzling of public funds while millions of people live in misery. But will they ever learn?

Lifestyle

#EndSARS Protest Turns Bloody in Benin, Two Feared Dead as Thugs Attack Protesters

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No fewer than two people were feared dead Friday when hooldums attacked peaceful #EndSARS protesters in Benin-City, capital of Edo State.

The state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, swiftly condemned the attack on the #EndSARS protesters by the unidentified hoodlums, noting that a thorough investigation would commence immediately to bring the culprits to justice.

Obaseki charged the Police Command to come out in full force to provide adequate security to the protesters, as they were exercising their rights as concerned citizens of Nigeria.

“I have just learnt that hoodlums have attacked #ENDSARS protesters, who have conducted themselves peacefully in Benin City. I extend condolences to the victims of the attacks, including those who lost their lives and others who were injured by the thugs,” Obaseki said in a statement.

The governor also tweeted his condolences from his official twitter handle @GovernorObaseki.

Armed with a white coffin and placards of various shapes and inscriptions, the protesters moved from the Kings Square, major roads and streets and Osadebay Avenue Government House Benin City.

They also chanted anti government slogans such as “Buhari Must Go and EndSARS”

Some hoodlums suspected to be boys from popular quarters in Oredo council area of the state were said to have been miffed by the disruptive actions of the #EndSARS protesters which according to them, disturbed their daily businesses.

They were said to have hauled stones at the protesters and also shot into the air which reportedly left two dead and caused several of them to sustain injuries in the process.

But irked by the ugly development, the protesters, in a reprisal, took the fight back to where the suspected thugs converged at the National Museum ground at the King’s Square (Ring Road) where they engaged in a bloody fight.

One of the victims who was caught in the crossfire during the free-for-all, Godswill Abere, had his forehead broken and soaked in blood.

Mr Abere told newsmen that he was not part of the #EndSARS protest, but was given the beating of his life over alleged claims that he was taking pictures of the fracas.

“I was just on my way from the bank. When I got to the Airport Road, some boys just attacked me because I was holding my phone. They claimed that I wanted to take pictures and videos of them. So, they snatched my phone and started hitting me from different angles,” he said.

“I am yet to recover the phone. They have my phone. The make is Tecno Camon 12. I was not part of the protest,” Mr Abere stated.

Also, one of the #EndSARS protesters who gave his name as Dennis Osaretin, said their action was in solidarity with the protest that is currently going on across the states of the country.

He said, “I am here to show solidarity to the Nigerian youths on their recent call for the end of SARS and not just the end of SARS but for a total overhaul and reform of the Nigeria Police and the entire Nigeria security architecture and to a larger extent, a total reform and overhaul of the Nigerian states.”

“All we are looking for now, is a state that works for all, a state that works for the youth, provides employment, provides safety and security for our people beyond the lips service.

“We have come out here to show that we are tired of the way the country is and we want something for a change at least for once,” Mr Osaretin said.

The protesters had also called for a total end to SARS and SWAT and for drastic measures towards ending impunity and brutality by operatives of the country’s police force.

However, the siege mounted by angry protesters caused endless hours of traffic gridlock along Sapele road, Akpkpava, New Lagos and New Benin roads, Sakponba and All the link roads leading to the Government reservation Areas (GRA).

Commuters were stranded in traffic while the protest lasted.

Lifestyle

#EndSARS protesters reject food, drinks donated MC Oluomo

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#EndSARS protesters at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday rejected food and soft drinks sent by the Chairman of the National Union of the Road Transport Workers in the state, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo.

The rejection was in reaction to an attack unleashed on the protesters by thugs at Ikeja, the state capital, on Thursday.

MC Oluomo was accused to have been the sponsor of the violent attack but his spokesman, Jimoh Buhari, denied the allegation.

Politics

Activists call for suspension of #ENDSARS protest

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A civil society group, Activists for Good Governance (AGG) and its allies have called for suspension of the #EndSARS protest to allow the Federal Government and police authorities carry out the promised reforms.

AGG made the call at a press conference on the #EndSARS protest at the International Press Centre at Ogba on Friday.

Co-Convener of AGG, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, said the government has to demonstrate genuine commitment to fulfill the promises made so as to restore the confidence of the people.

The Convener, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, called on the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to step down honourably and apologise to Nigerians it took this long to scrap and replace SARS despite series of their activities he had been aware of.

Soloki said. “The sad truth is, trust has been lost! But the Nigerian government has the opportunity to rally the civil society and the organized private sector now to stem the tide and win the trust of the Nigerian people by implementing a comprehensive reform of the Nigerian police.”

AGG stated further if within one week it does not see a genuine demonstration of the commitment, it will not hesitate to call out its members across the nation for a coordinated action against the Federal Government “that will make the on-going rehearsal look like a kindergarten prep”.

While acknowledging the disbanding of SARS by the IG, Soloki said what is required today is complete review and overhaul of the policing system in Nigeria.

He said: “We are of the view that the hasty renaming of SARS as another Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) is a poorly concieved approach to solving an endemic problem.

“We don’t just want a change in name but a complete reform of the standard operating procedure of the new crime-bursting outfit and indeed the Nigerian police.”

AGG asked government which to put an immediate end to all forms of police brutality, setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry into the operation of the disbanded SARS to bring offenders to book.

Other activists present at the briefing were: Rasak Oladosu of Grasdroot Democratic Initiative; Shina Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity and Raheem Ajayi of The Development Initiative and others

World News

IGP disbands SARS satellite offices across Nigeria

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Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), has banned operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.

Frank Mba, police spokesman, disclosed the directive of the IGP in a statement on Sunday.

The directive is coming in the wake of an outrage over alleged criminal and extra-judicial actions of FSARS officers against citizens in various parts of the country.

In the statement, Mba said the IGP also directed that no officer should embark on a patrol in mufti.

The inspector-general of police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect,” he said.

“The IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

“They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.”

Mba quoted Adamu as saying FSARS and other police tactical squads remain “a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country”.

“He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads,” the force public relations officer said.

“He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road.

“They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.

The IGP has equally warned that henceforth, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).”

The police spokesman said two FSARS officers and one civilian accomplice have been arrested in Lagos for professional misconduct.

“Two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens,” he said.

“The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.”

Politics

Nigerian youths plea “END SARS” , triggers reaction from Minister of Sports.

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The Minister of Youth and Sports Development in Nigeria, Mr Sunday Dare said that ; the federal government will review the operations of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Media Aide, John Joshua-Akanji, the minister said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had been monitoring reports of the attacks of young Nigerians by SARS.

The minister further stated that the government will investigate the reports of harassment by SARS officers and will bring any officer culpable to justice. He assured the young Nigerians that his ministry would continue to protect their rights.

The statement ;

“The ministry of youth and sports is worried about the menace, increasing harassments and attacks by SARS, especially targeted at youths and other innocent members of the public, and brought it to the attention of the relevant security agencies in Abuja”.

The minister of youth and sports development, who has also been monitoring the reports of alleged SARS harassment and attacks, has called for immediate investigations that will unravel the truth.

The ministry wishes to assure that this government, through relevant security agencies, will step into the matter to protect our youth and the fundament human rights of every Nigerian.”

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