A seven-storey building collapsed close to the Sand field bus stop, in the Lekki area of Lagos State, on Sunday.
Emergency responders are on the ground at the scene of the incident.
Aftermath Of Building Collapse In Lekki, Lagos
Lagos monarch alerts Lekki residents of planned attack by commercial motorcyclists
The Oniru of Iru Land in Lagos, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal Abisogun II, on Wednesday alerted residents of the Lekki area of the state of plans by commercial motorcyclists to cause mayhem in the area.
The monarch gave the warning in a circular issued by the Onuru’s Palace and titled: “Urgent security alert.”
The warning came shortly after the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in six local government areas of the state, including Lekki.
The ban was the government’s response to last weekend’s killing of a sound engineer, David Imoh, following an argument over N100.
In the circular, the Oniru monarch advised residents to be security conscious at all times.
It read: “Intelligence report reaching us is that following the raid on Okada riders and seizure of their bikes in Lekki Phase 1, the riders believed the action was instigated by Lekki residents who are determined to take away their source of livelihood.
“To this end, there are plans to invade inner streets to cause havoc anytime from now in Lekki.”
Army general indicts Buratai over shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki
More revelations have continued to emerge over the events that led to shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday October 20, 2020.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, the Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, has fingered the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, as the person who ordered the deployment of soldiers undergoing training at military schools in Lagos to the Lekki Toll Gate on the black Tuesday night.
Brig. Gen. Taiwo made this revelation while he was testifying at the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry currently investigating the shooting of the unarmed protesters by soldiers deployed to enforce the curfew imposed on the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
While giving his evidence in chief, Brig. Gen. Taiwo said:
“The 81 Division was short of troops and the Chief of Army Staff gave an extraordinary order that all Army schools should be shut down and everybody should be brought to the operation.”
He added that a day before the incident, he had taught the trainee soldiers about internal security techniques since he is also an examiner at the Nigerian Army Intelligence, and wondered that it was “unbelievable that only a day after learning the rules, they were going for an operation in internal security” and did not put into practice what he taught them.
The senior military officer also debunked reports that the Army was searching for Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, who shared live videos on Instagram from the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of October 20, when soldiers shot at peaceful #EndSARS protesters.
Brig. Gen Taiwo said the claims are not true as the Army has “more bigger fish to fry than to expend its energy in search of DJ Switch” who is reported to have relocated to Canada.
“The claim by DJ Switch that the Nigerian Army is looking for her is false. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We have bigger fish to fry and that is how to stabilize Lagos.” Brig-Gen Taiwo said
Though DJ Switch’s whereabouts has not been ascertained as reports claim she fled the country to Canada where she was granted asylum, citing threats to her life, her personal assistant, Charles Abi, granted an interview where he stated that she was safe and out of the country.
Army officers arrive probe venue, to show footage of Lekki shootings
Officers of the Nigerian Army, 81 Division have arrived at the Lagos Court of Arbitration, venue of the probe into the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers on the night of October 20 at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
The PUNCH had reported that in response to a summons by the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the tollgate shooting, the Army had submitted the names of three Lieutenant Generals and a Lieutenant Colonel who will testify before the panel.
The Army, which vehemently denied shooting at or killing any of the protesting youths, had also told the panel that it was ready to show videos capturing its activities at the tollgate on October 20 night.
The military officers are led by the Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo.
At the moment, soldiers, lawyers, journalists and other persons are in the hearing hall awaiting the arrival of the panel.
Details later…
Lekki tollgate shooting: LCC finally submits footage to judicial panel
The Lekki Concession Company (LCC), operators of the Lekki tollgate, has submitted video footage recorded by its surveillance camera on the night of October 20, 2020, when soldiers allegedly opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate.
The Managing Director of LCC, Abayomi Omomuwa, submitted a hard drive containing the footage on Tuesday.
Omomuwa’s submission was made to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to probe the Lekki shootings, as well as complaints of human rights abuses against members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“I can confirm that inside here is the video footage that our surveillance camera was able to record for the 20th of October,” Omomuwa said.
According to Anakle CEO, Editi Effiong, who is at the hearing, “LCC is being led in testimony by a member of the LASG legal team. A hard drive has been admitted in evidence as containing the footage from the toll gate.
“LCC is also tendering press releases in which they denied the company was bribing in police to disrupt the protests.”
Lawyer writes Sanwo-Olu, requests CCTV footage of Lekki shootings
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.
BREAKING: Buratai, Army commanders meet on insecurity, Lekki shooting
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.
President Muhammadu Buhari orders probe into Lekki massacre
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a probe into the shootings of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, mentioned this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.
people sustained varying degrees of injuries when the Nigerian army opened live ammunition on the #EndSARS protesters Tuesday night.
Despite public outcry and condemnations from foreign countries and international organisations, Buhari did not say anything about the shootings while addressing the nation.
When asked about the silence of the president on Lekki shootings in his #EndSARS address, the minister said the president would speak after the outcome of the probe he had ordered.
He said, “For sure the president has ordered an investigation, he had a national security meeting yesterday.
“I can tell you that this is already ongoing because the president wants to have all the facts which will absolutely be made public”.
“It is important to get all the facts right before we go forward, in this case, it’s going to be difficult to hide these facts because we live in a multimedia world and we have pieces of evidence and corroboration and I think it is important to get the facts right”.
“I think that’s the path the president has towed and I am sure that when the facts are made available, this president – because he has integrity – will level with the Nigerian people about what happened on Tuesday in Lekki,” Dare said.
He explained that the Federal Government had accepted the demands of the protesters.
The minister said, “Previously, we just had lip service that SARS scrapped. For the first time, you have a presidential pronouncement that SARS has been dissolved followed by the inspector-general and then we saw quick steps thereafter.
“And I think when you look at what has happened in the past and the level of responsiveness and concrete steps, the whole five demands of the youth were wholeheartedly accepted by the president and he set up a process to implement the demands.”
DJ Switch shares heartbreaking experience at lekki toll gate.
The celebrity disc jockey,DJ Switch has shared her heartbreaking experience at Lekki toll gate, Lagos. She shared the story which was full of sad emotions on her Instagram page earlier today.
On Tuesday, 20th of October 2020 , there was a massacre at Lekki toll gate Lagos. The massacre was done by military men, which according to rumour were ordered by the president of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, so many peaceful #endsars protesters who are vibrant Nigerian youths were killed in cold blood while others were injured. However, those who were lucky to escape the bullets are still in a state of shock, this includes DJ Switch.
Below is the video clip in which the celebrity DJ shared her experience.
Many reportedly shot as officers foil attempted jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison
Some inmates were shot as a combined team of correctional officers and soldiers are currently trying to foil a revolt and attempted jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison in Lagos, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.
An inmate inside the prison, who was not part of those trying to escape, sent this newspaper videos and messages describing the attempts by some prisoners to escape from the prison.
The attempted jailbreak in Lagos is coming three days after hundreds of prisoners escaped from the Benin prison.
According to the source inside the prison, several prisoners have been shot as some prisoners tried to breach the gate of the prison.
Our source said troops of the Nigerian Army were called in to assist correctional officers who are trying to suppress the attempted jailbreak.
When reached for comment, another officer who refused to say his name answered the phone of the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correction Service, Austin Njoku. The officer explained that the spokesperson was in a meeting and was going to call this reporter back after the meeting.
Why we can’t speak on Lekki shootings – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday, gave reasons why it will not speak on the shooting at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State that left some #EndSARS protesters dead and others wounded.
It insisted that stating the military side of the incident may compromise the findings of the Commission of Enquiry constituted by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu.
The Lekki tollgate shooting, Tuesday night, has drawn widespread criticism from both world leaders, the International Community and Human Rights Organizations.
The Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, while fielding questions from Defence Correspondents, at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, said that the reports about soldiers shooting and killing protesters is mere allegation for now.
According to Eneche, who was reluctant to answer questions relating to the Lekki incident, urged Nigerians to remain calm and wait for the outcome of investigations by constituted panels.
In his words, “we are dealing with major operations, anything outside this is what is called Operation MENSA, I may not want to go too much into Operation MENSA because it is not a major operation. We have nine Operations and other subsidiary Operations which I have been directed to focus.
“Operation MENSA is strictly under the policy directive of the various states we have them all over the country and it is the oldest of all Operations. For this Operation you have the Military, Navy Air Force, Civil Defence and the Police put together. So these Operations are still standing and running and I am aware that the state governments are using them in all these capacities, that is internal security, the level we are now is internal security and that is why the Police proactively came out and then deployed all their Force package that are necessary to handle that so that is where we are. So if there was anything and if it is true, why am I saying if it is true because up to this morning, I even called analysts who have analyzed videos that were Photoshopped and put together, if not that I am not permitted, I would have forwarded it to you.
“The issue is not an operation that I can respond to. But I can tell you that it is an allegation for now, so let us not set the cart before the horse. If the matter was still open-ended I would have had I response for you but is is no longer open-ended, because immediately, not even up to five hours, before midnight the Governor of Lagos set up an Inquiry, so whatever we say now will not be fair to the Commission.
Meanwhile on update of military operations, Enenche, noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued their major operations across the country with attendant successes, adding that various operations have progressed satisfactorily in all the theaters.
In the North West, he stated that “troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have continued to record significant successes against the armed bandits in the North West zone of the country. The gallant troops have continued to exhibit continued resilience in the fight against armed banditry, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the zone.
“One of the feats recorded, troops repelled bandits attack at Rawayu village in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State on 15 October 2020. In the course of the encounter, 4 armed bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. In another encounter security operatives in conjunction with vigilantes neutralized one Abubakar Haruna, a suspected arms trafficker and recovered 600 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition along Tsakiya Road in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Relatedly, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 16 October 2020 arrested a suspected bandit collaborator at Sheme Junction in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. Similarly, still on same 16 October, Forward Operating Base MAGAMI patrol team arrested 2 suspected bandits at Magami Market in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State on their alleged involvement in an attack where one person was killed and 13 others were abducted on 21 September 2020”.
He continued that, “these successes recorded within the period are evident of the troop’s resolve, doggedness and determination to end the security challenges in the North-West zone. The general public is hereby encouraged to provide timely and actionable intelligence that will assist the troops in the operation”.
Meanwhile in the Northeast, he disclosed that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have remained resolute in the anti-terror war.
“In the North East zone of the country, troops of LAFIYA DOLE have remained resolute in their commitment to sustain the tempo in their operational activities. Between 15 and 21 October 2020, series of ground and air operations were conducted by the gallant troops.
“These include aggressive clearance operations, cordon and search operations, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions as well as artillery and aerial bombardments on terrorists’ hideouts at different locations in the theatre of operation. The cumulative operations of the troops with superior firepower have drastically denied the terrorists’ freedom of action and reduced their operational capabilities in the zone.
“Notably, on 16 October 2020, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE while on clearance operations encountered Boko Haram/ ISWAP at Sawa village in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State. During the encounter, 4 terrorists were neutralized while 4 AK47 rifles were recovered by the troops.
“As the Land Component conduct aggressive patrols and dominate the zone, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE conducted series of air operations with a force package of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships as part of the activities of its subsidiary Operation WUTAR TABKI. Several air interdiction and surveillance missions were executed, revealing terrorists’ activities in various locations in the North East.
“This led to the destruction of terrorists’ hideouts and neutralization of scores of their fighters. On 15 October 2020, air strikes were executed on ISWAP elements’ locations with structures and logistics items, camouflaged under the dense vegetation at TudunWulgo and Tumbun Gini Villages on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State. The air strikes led to the neutralization of several ISWAP fighters and destruction of the identified structures with their logistics facilities.
“Similarly, on 18 October 2020, air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force led to the neutralization of scores of ISWAP members and destruction of their hideouts at Tsilala Village near Kaza in the Diwa general area of Borno State. In another development, sustained air strikes executed on 19 October 2020 by the Air Task Force, decimated several ISWAP training camps and their logistics storage facilities at Tumbun Barorowa, also on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State”.
He maintained further that, “the downward trend in kinetics from the North East is an indication of own troops superior operational capabilities as well as cooperation from the populace. Thus, as the High Command of the Military appreciates the general public for their support, it further solicits their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information on terrorists’ activities to facilitate proactive engagements in our operations in the North East zone”.
On the North Central Zone, he revealed that, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to maintain the momentum of the fight against criminality through aggressive clearance patrols, ambushes and raids in the North Central Zone. These successful kinetic efforts were supported by Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities in the form of stakeholders’ meetings amongst the various ethnic groups in the zone.
“Within the period under review, troops of operations WHIRL STROKE and SAFE HAVEN conducted several clearance operations at identified bandit’s camps. Notably, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 2 armed bandits in Nasarawa State. The Joint Force while on patrol on 18 October 2020 around Kango and Adumata villages came in contact with a group of armed bandits leading to exchange of fire.
“The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits thereby neutralizing 2 while others escaped with gunshots wounds. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally made rifle, 6 AK47 magazines, 110 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and assorted drugs.
“Furthermore, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE while on raid operations at River Yo-Yo and Tachar villages respectively had contact with armed bandits. Troops responded with superior fire power forcing the armed elements to flee into the surrounding bushes. The gallant troops engaged the bandits in hot pursuit following which 2 were neutralized.
“In the course of operation, one locally made AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 7 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Toyota Corolla car, some substances suspected to be Indian Hemp as well as charms were recovered. Troops subsequently cleared the bandits’ hideout. Currently, the gallant troops have dominated the area with aggressive patrols to deny bandits freedom of action.
“Similarly, on 16 October 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN deployed at Kuba responded to distress calls about an armed robbery along Road Bokkos- Barkin Ladi in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. Troops engaged the criminals and neutralized one of them while others fled with gunshot wounds. Additionally, troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle, 2 mobile handsets, one jack knife and 4 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Additionally, on 20 October 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in conjunction with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a joint raid operation at the residence of suspected drug peddlers at Zamkam, Gamji, Chakwai and Menum villages of Kadarko district in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. The raid was conducted following actionable intelligence on the activities of the drug kingpins at the location. Troops stormed the residence and arrested 6 suspects with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.
“As part of CIMIC activities within the period under review, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN on 15 October 2020, delivered drugs to Rim Primary Healthcare Clinic renovated by the Defence Headquarters at Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State”.
“In the South West zone, Troops of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements. Troops of Operation AWATSE on routine patrol arrested 2 suspected oil thieves with products suspected to be stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Agala 1 and Ilado areas of Atlas Cove in Lagos State.
“Troops have continued to dominate the general area with clearance and aggressive patrols while maintaining surveillance to rid the area of pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have sustained the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone with tremendous successes. On 16 October 2020, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team discovered and immobilized an illegal refinery containing 321,500 litres of illegally refined oil products at Tuma Creek in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State
“Also, on same day, Forward Operating Base Bonny patrol team immobilized an illegal refinery containing 54,000 litres of crude oil at Dabara Creek in Bonny Local Government of the State”, he stressed.
Meanwhile, he stressed further that, “in another development, troops of Operation SILENT HEAT III have continued to record tremendous successes. Gunboats of Forward Operating Base IBAKA on 17 October 2020 while on routine patrol along Utan Iyata Creek intercepted and arrested a large wooden boat containing 50kg parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled in from the Republic of Cameroon. A total of 1,637 bags of 50kg parboiled rice were recovered and 2 suspects were arrested.
“Also, on 20 October 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Mbo River intercepted and arrested a small sized wooden boat laden with 33 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit with 2 suspects. Suspects are currently in own custody and will soon be handed over to the prosecuting agency for necessary action. From these successes, it is clear that, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE and other security agencies working together remain resolute and dedicated in their endeavor to end the fight against economic sabotage.
“Overall, the Military High Command commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resoluteness, determination and loyalty. They are equally encouraged to remain unwavering and decisive in curtailing the activities of all criminal elements in the country.
“Members of the general public are hereby reassured that the Nigerian Military will continue to tackle the security challenges to ensure that normalcy is attained in all the Geo-political zones of the Country. However their support is highly solicited in the area of providing credible information to assist our operations.”
Sanwo-Olu blames forces beyond ‘direct control’ for Lekki killings
Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Wednesday morning blamed “forces beyond our direct control” for the death of peaceful, unarmed protesters at Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said Nigerian soldiers opened fire on the protesters who were sitting on the ground, waving the Nigerian flag and singing the country’s anthem.
The unprovoked attack on the protesters happened more than two hours before the 24-hour curfew declared by the state governor became effective.
“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor said 27 persons were still receiving at three hospitals. Two of them are currently receiving intensive medical care. Three other persons have been discharged.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers initially denied ambulances entry into the area to evacuate those who were shot.
Amnesty International Nigeria blamed the Nigerian authorities for the death of the protesters, noting that there was no justification for the killings.
“The Nigerian military has a poor human rights record in dealing with protesters,” Amnesty said a day before the Lekki attack.
Shortly after the attack on protesters began, the power supply at the toll plaza was cut off and the area thrown into darkness.
A Nigerian disc jockey DJ Switch broadcast chaotic scenes live on her Instagram account. At a point, some people were seen trying to remove a bullet from the leg of a protester referred to as Jide.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Nigerian police boss said he has ordered the deployment of anti-riot policemen all over the country.
“The force will henceforth exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens,” a police statement said.
Despite his veiled reference to forces beyond his control – in Nigeria, a state governor does not have direct control even over the police – Sanwo-Olu said the state would work with the Nigerian Government to get to the root of the “unfortunate incident”.
End SARS: Gridlock in Lagos as protesters shut down Lekki toll gate
End SARS protesters have shut down Lekki toll gate in Lagos.
This has caused traffic jam on the Lekki-Ajah express.
The campaigners had announced on Sunday that workers and other commuters would be affected.
They are demanding that the Police go beyond disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protesters want investigation and prosecution of all officers accused of murder and assault over the years.
Meanwhile, the petition to have the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and other senior officers banned from the United States, United Kingdom and others is gaining traction.
Thousands have signed and many more have indicated interest to do the same this week.