The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state, might be eased by tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd
According to Sanwo-Olu, easing of the curfew was necessary for residents of the state to restock food supplies and other basic commodities.
In his words,
On lifting the curfew, it is something we are monitoring on an hourly basis.
Once we see that there is normalcy around the state, it is a pronouncement that we can make as early as tomorrow to ease the lockdown so that people can have the means to stock up and to buy food.
So, we are actually looking and monitoring what events will look like today.
Once we see the streets are cleared up and all the agitation and high nerves have gone down, we might slow down the curfew by tomorrow (Friday) or next tomorrow (Saturday) at the latest”.
Earlier today, videos made rounds on social media showing the moment residents invaded a warehouse in Lagos and looted the stored COVID-19 relief items by the government. ICYMI
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry Of Agriculture, Lagos State then reacted to the development stating that the palliatives were not meant for Lagos alone, as it also belongs to a private company and other states.
According to him, the materials were supposed to have been re-packaged and distributed but they had to stop because of the ongoing #EndSARS protest.
However, one of the people who had her hands on the looted item, showed the stated of one of the package. Asking why the items weren’t delivered in good time, she shared the image of “Garri” that seems to have started getting expired.
She wrote alongside the photo,
I opened one of the palliative packs and this is what the garri has turned to. Why didn’t people get the palliatives in good time? Who gave the order that they be stored in a warehouse? Why this wickedness?!?
#NIGERIAPREVAILS
#EndBadGoveranceInNigeria
I opened one of the palliative packs and this is what the garri has turned to. Why didn't people get the palliatives in good time? Who gave the order that they be stored in a warehouse? Why this wickedness?!?#NIGERIAPREVAILS#EndBadGoveranceInNigeriapic.twitter.com/kW4pnrgkEL
– Don’t test me, I’m still a dictator – People died, e pain me. – Social Media Bill, brb – Apply for Marketmoni – Increase police/teacher salary – Abroad people, mind your business – Youths, if dem born una well, protest again
Children were filmed having a field day in the Oba of Lagos‘ swimming pool after suspected hoodlums vandalized the palace.
The Palace was raided on Wednesday, October 21 and the thugs carted away with some of his personal belongings and staff of office.
In the video making rounds on social media, children were seen swimming inside the pool and having fun.
Watch the video below,
See some of the reactions from Twitter users,
@hey_chimmy wrote,
“They have turned the Oba of Lagos palace to a recreation centre. People are now swimming in his pool. Next na to go open his fridge bring out all the beer, buy suya and play better Gbedu. These boys dey ball #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria #LekkiMassacre”
@GbengaMA wrote,
“E shock me…Grinning face with smiling eyes Oba of Lagos swimming turn to Airport Hotel swimming Pool. If police come nko??”
@Alabi2H wrote,
“Help me tell Oba of Lagos wey wan throw people inside Lagoon because of election say Lagos Island Children don dey baff inside him swimming pool”
@kiddwayakidney wrote,
“Swimming pool turned into water parks
They’ve rendered the palace of Oba of Lagos useless.
Let the poor masses enjoy a little abeg.”
The Akinshemoyin ruling house of Lagos Island, has forewarned suspected hoodlums who hauled the
Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, staff of office to return it or face dire consequences.
The ruling house stated that they support the initial peaceful protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings, and also condemned the ironic turn of events.
The Akinshemoyins in a statement jointly signed by Prince Salami-Abisako and Prince Adeyemi Sarumi, gave the hoodlums who carted away with the staff of office 24 hours ultimatum or face the consequence.
The statement reads,
Though we are in total support of the peaceful protest of the Nigerian youths tagged: #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality, we, Lagosians condemn with all sense of responsibility the gruesome murder of Nigerians, the hijack of the peaceful protest by hoodlums, destruction of public infrastructural facilities and property across the nation.
We also condemn the looting of our traditional and ancestral heritage as it relates to the Oba of Lagos Palace; especially the carting away of the staff of office. We will not allow miscreants to destroy our Lagos ‘Onilu Onije Otu’.
The acts of these elements are sacrilegious, taboo and abomination to the Yoruba race. These nefarious misfits’ conducts could lead to mayhem in the land if not timely checked and tranquility restored.
We hereby call on the paramount Apena of Oshugbo, Opa, Akala and other traditional heads and custodians to immediately secure the Oba’s palace from further attack(s) in order to save the face of our traditional stool.
The royal house, however called for the return of the stolen staff of authority to be deposited at the Apena of Lagos within 24 hours or the deviants will face the consequences of their action. A word is enough for the wise.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry Of Agriculture, Lagos State has reacted to the discovered COVID-19 palliative warehouse.
It can be recalled that a mission by hoodlums aimed at looting the warehouse led to the discovery of COVID-19 palliative meant for indigents. Angry Nigerians, thereafter stormed the 600ft by 600ft warehouse to carry the relief materials, leaving nothing behind.
The Lagos State Government was heavily criticized for hoarding the food items, while citizens lacked food during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Speaking on the issue, the Permanent Secretary condemned the looters and stated that the palliatives were not meant for Lagos alone, as it also belongs to a private company and other states.
According to him, the materials were supposed to have been re-packaged and distributed but they had to stop because of the ongoing #EndSARS protest.
In his words;
Do you know that those items also belong to BUA group of companies and Some other states? Lagos State has been distributing its own. It was less than a month that those palliatives were officially handed to Lagos. We had to start doing rebagging and that took us some time. We have given to religious bodies, transporters, artisans, physically challenged people and so on.
Even the community that is looting now were given. And what they have looted belongs to other groups. So people saying we are heartless are really uninformed. It is because of #Endsars that we were told to stop. We do not have to make noise when we distribute because of chaos. It is so sad.”
The Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor also reacted on Twitter.
He wrote,
“This is falsehood. This is inciting. The Gov didn’t lock the food packs in. They’re in warehouse for distribution. Stop inciting Nigerians. Gov. @jidesanwoolu used his personal and State resources to get food palliative for vulnerable Lagosians even b4 Ca-COVID. Promote peace.”
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.
I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.
As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
On approving the termination of SARS I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a peace-maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary.
Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.
The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens, is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.
On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the well being and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:
a. paying 3-months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small- and medium- enterprises
b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission
c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans
d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders
These are in addition to many other initiatives such as:
a. Farmermoni,
b. Tradermoni,
c. Marketmoni,
d. N-Power,
e. N-Tech and
f. N-Agro.
No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.
With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.
Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.
We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens, are protected.
But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.
To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position…… or rushing to judgement and making hasty pronouncements.
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions.
Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect.
I would like to thank those State Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint.
I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.
This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Former Governor of Lagos state and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commented on the Lekki toll gate shooting that left many dead and several others injured.
The Lagos politician who was interviewed via telephone by a Channels TV reporter, Olu Philips, shared his shock over the shooting and also revealed that he is ready to complain to the highest authorities.
Contrary to people’s predictions, Tinubu however denied ordering the shooting and also stated that he can only control his security guard. He again reiterated that he will never be part of any group that uses live ammunition against protesters.
Insisting that he has always been an activist, the APC Chieftain expressed sympathy for the victims of the incident and advised the federal government to “fish out whoever gave the order (for the shooting) and put them on trial”.
He then recalled how he was falsely accused of being behind #EndSARS protests. Tinubu who noted that he doesn’t believe that Buhari ordered the shooting, appealed for calm over the incident. He also denied having a stake in the Lekki toll gate or suffering a loss due to the continous blockage of the area by #EndSARS protesters.
He said,
“It is early hours of the morning, there’s no way I can talk to the authorities or wake them up now. I have tried to reach the NSA, I have tried to reach the head of the army.
“You don’t call the president at this hour, but I strongly condemn the act. There are other means of settling or dispersing protest. Why would they use live bullets? There are rubber bullets.
“I am not even sure yet they are Nigerian army, I am not sure how well the uniforms of the army are controlled. But that is not as critical as the bloodshed that has occurred.
“We have lost our sleep, we have lost our peace of mind, (and) we just have to deal with it.”
The Edo State Police Command on Thursday, October 22, paraded some suspected hoodlums who burgled Omoregie Rice Warehouse located at Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City.
According to the statement issued by the Command, upon receiving intelligence report on the incident, operatives swung into action and arrested the following persons:
1. Favour Etimumore, ‘f’ age 19yrs
2. Chinyere Uyi, ‘f’ age 35yrs
3. Desmond Uguagbe, ‘m’ age 24yrs
4. Daniel Duruji ‘m’ 22yrs
5. Iyoha Godstime, ‘m’ 14yrs
6. Godstime Omosuzi, ‘m’ 15yrs
7, Nelly Monday ‘f’ 19yrs
8. Philip Ewere ‘m’ 63yrs and
9. Osas Guobadia ‘m’ 30yrs
The Command said that investigation is ongoing to ascertain the number of bags of rice that was carted away.
The President, Muhammadu Buhari, will address the security situation in the country by 7pm.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari addresses the nation.’
The statement read, “Following detailed briefing by security chiefs on the current situation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7pm.
“Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria respectively for the broadcast.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said he is yet to speak with President Muhammadu Buhari over the gunshot incident which occurred at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday, October 20.
The governor was on Arise TV on Thursday morning, October 22, where he talked about the shootings. When asked if he has spoken to President Buhari since the incident, Sanwo-Olu said,
“I made phone calls to the President. I made calls to want to speak with the President twice yesterday. First time he hadn’t come to the office and the second time, he was at the FEC meeting so I haven’t spoken to him directly but I actually did call to want to speak with him but like I said he was at FEC meeting and properly had his briefing.
So he was actually the one that asked the Chief of Defence Staff to call me and I think it was when he got my message because when the Chief of Defence Staff called me, he said to me it was the President that asked him to call.
So I haven’t spoken to him directly. Maybe sometime later today that might happen. I don’t have a report to say this was what he said because we haven’t spoken”
The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), on Thursday said the President would come up with solutions to the current violence erupting in parts of the country “in the next couple of hours.” Punchng.com reports.
Although he did not disclose the nature of the solutions, he said they would be agreeable to all parties concerned.
Monguno disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by the President.
He said, “The President himself, I have just left his office, is also going to deal with these issues in a specific manner apart from what has just taken place in council.
“I believe in the next couple of hours, Mr President will come up with certain solutions that will be agreeable to the entire federation.”
The NSA also did not disclose whether the President will announce the solutions through a national broadcast.
The Director of Information, Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Eneche has claimed that the videos from the Lekki toll gate shooting on Tuesday, were photoshopped.
Eneche while addressing the media during a recent press conference, stated that the report of soldiers shooting the protesters, were mere allegations as some military analysts had dismissed as untrue.
He admitted that the military is involved in internal security operations codenamed ‘Operation MESA’ in nine states, but declined to disclose further details on the joint security task force.
In his words,
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 a response for you but it 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.
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 (violence).
The governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has debunked claims that the CCTV cameras at the Lekki tollgate were taken down, before the shooting incident on Tuesday, October 20th.
The is coming after the Lekki concession company, released a statement to reveal that the cameras were not removed and are still installed in the lanes even now.
Sanwo-Olu, was on Arise TV on Thursday morning, October 22th sated that footage of the surveillance cameras will be made available to a properly constituted investigative panel which will be set up on Monday as evidence so it can be properly investigated.
He said,
Will just say the truth of what happened. Nobody ordered. I called the managing director of LCC that night when I saw the pictures and what he said to me was that because of the curfew that had been announced, they took a decision that they will take out installations that were critical to them.
That camera that you saw is not a security camera, it’s not a motion camera. It’s a laser camera for vehicles. When you are approaching the toll plaza, you would remember that there is a camera that is at the level of your car. What that camera does is that it picks the tags and number plates of cars approaching the toll plaza. It’s an infrared camera and not a security camera.
Security cameras for the Lekki toll plaza are still available and these are some of the footage that we’ll be using for our investigation. Security cameras are installed on top of the towers and they are there, I have seen them they are live and they are still recording and nobody can touch them.
The cameras that were pulled off were a decision that the local personnel of the company took in conjunction with their managing director. The security cameras are still intact and these are things that we can leave open for citizens to come and verify.
We will drop this as evidence so that experts can review and see what kind of cameras are these that were shown in the footage. I think that is the honest and truthful position of that.
The governor also noted that, there was no order for the lights at the toll plaza to be turned off.
With regards to the light, I understand there is also a concessionaire that manages the LED board on top. They are the ones that have the concession agreement and have the right.
I saw a letter like any other person said that the company said they put off their light because of the curfew that the state government had put in place. Those were their points and I have never spoken to the owner of that business not in the last one week, so there’s no communication that will reflect that we influenced that decision. That was a decision a corporate organisation took that because of the curfew they are taking off the LED screen.
Nigerian fashion designer, Yomi Makun popularly known by his brand name Yomi Casual, has taken to social media to lament, after his store was vandalized and looted by suspected hoodlums.
Earlier today, the fashion designer who shared a heartbreaking video of his vandalized store, urged residents of the Surulere area of Lagos state to stay safe.
The brother to popular comedian, Ayo Makun pointed out the need to educate the hoodlums that the fight is not against innocent citizens, but a fight to ensure the betterment of Nigeria for the benefit of all.
He wrote,
Woke up to this and the first thing that came to my mind is “It’s already too late to educate the hoodlums that this fight is for all of us and not at each other.
If you are in surulere please stay safe , surulere stores are being looted by hoodlums.. Safety first.
In other news, Big Brother Naija Lockdown housemate, Erica Nlewedin, has expressed her displeasure at the ironic turn of the #EndSARS protest.
She condemned the excessive looting and vandalism of stores in the high brow area of Lagos, Lekki by hoodlums. According to her, the fight is supposed to be against the oppressors, not innocent citizens.
A Nigerian youth, said to be the son of the deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that he does not care about the ongoing #EndSARS movement in Nigeria.
He also revealed that seeing Nigerians protesting in and outside the country usually gets him angry.
In a video shared on social media, the man slammed Nigerians for protesting against police brutality and extra judicial killings in the country.
According to him he’s not interested in the movement, adding that it is the reason why he has not said or posted anything related to campaign.
He also criticized Nigerians living in Canada or America, protesting against police brutality, adding requested to know who they were protesting to.
In his words,
“I don’t give a f*ck about the movement. Why are people in Canada protesting? who are the protesting to”
Sonia Ighalo, the wife of Nigerian international football star, Odion Ighalo, has debunked claims that their home was attacked by hoodlums.
Sonia who took to her Instastory to address the issue, claimed that the reports circulating online, that their home was attacked, are fake.
There were reports online on Wednesday, October 21, claiming that Ighalo’s house had been attacked by hoodlums during the chaos that engulfed the state.
She urged the public to desist from spreading unconfirmed stories.
She wrote,
“I got alot of calls msgs ysday…
“Y’all STOP spreading fake news pls. This is not the right time. may God see us through in this troubling times.”
In other news, popular Nollywood Actress, Uche Elendu, has taken to her social media page to cry out after her business place was looted dry by thugs.
Lagos and some other parts of Nigeria have witnessed pandemonium from thugs who hijacked a protest that was previously successful.
General overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Suleman has said that he is confident that Nigeria doesn’t have a President.
Taking to his Twitter handle this morning, the clergy man wrote;
”In same climes,the president by now would had gotten the contacts of the victims families and reached out to them personally. but 48hrs after a black tuesday, President Buhari hasn’t even addressed the nation.h e hasn’t come out to condemn it. I can confidently say we dont have a president.
Lord help us..”
Since the deadly attack on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll-gate, the president of the country is yet to come out to address the nation.
Nigerians has taken to Social media to ask for the whereabout of President Muhammadu Buhari.
See tweets below;
Over 24hrs later and nothing from the Presidency, the unrest is getting worse, Nigerian armed forces are still killing unarmed citizens. In all of this one can only wonder, “Do we have a President?”. Where is Buhari??? #LekkiMassacre#endsars#NigeriaPrevails
— Prince Nelson Enwerem #ENDSARS (@PrinceNEnwerem) October 21, 2020
Where is Buhari? So Nnamdi Kanu was right all along but they all refused to listen. And why is the VP quite.
Where is Buhari? Join me on #LetsTalkNaijaPeople at 9pm Nigerian time Monday-Friday Zoom and Facebook live. Twitter & Instagram live Join Zoom Meetinghttps://t.co/6rVo293gnv
1. Who ordered the killings ? 2. Where is Buhari ? 3. How will you get justice ? All day today policemen have been running wild in Nigeria executing people ?? 4. Now the world is watching , when will resignations start ? We are looking mad out here 5. #EndSars 6. ? pic.twitter.com/WVQyu2NWKh
But where is buhari? Someone that called himself president of a nation kept mum in all the calamities befalling the country he's governing and he's still kept quite. Pls Nigeria do we still have a President?#Zamfara#LekkiMassacre |Aisha |the oba |adamu garba |bolaji pic.twitter.com/dTKixdfcat
A number of hoodlums broke into a warehouse in Monkey community of Maza-Maza, Lagos state on Thursday, October 22, and carted away some COVID-19 palliatives they found in the facility.
The foodstuff item they took had “Lagos State Government COVID-19” inscribed on it.
Nigerian playwright and poet, Wole Soyinka has affirmed that according to his findings that the Lagos state Governor, Sanwo-Olu had no hands in ordering the shooting at the Lekki toll gate area.
Soyinka who condemned the massacre by the Nigerian Army said the centre has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche.
In his words: “It is absolutely essential to let this government know that the Army has now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters.
“My enquiry so far indicates that the Lagos governor did not invite in the Army, did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’. Nevertheless the Centre has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche.”
However, Soyinka asked State Governors where the Federal Government has deployed the military to quell protests to demand their withdrawals now to avoid further escalation of the crisis.
“At that earlier mention Lagos sector, Lekki, where most of the affirmative action gatherings had taken place, soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing and wounding a yet undetermined number. One such extra-judicial killing has drenched the Nigerian flag in the blood of innocents – and not symbolically.
“The video has, in accustomed parlance, ‘gone viral’. I have spoken by phone to eye-witnesses. One, a noted public figure has shared his first hand testimony on television. The government should cease to insult this nation with petulant denials,” he said.
“To the affected governors all over the nation, there is one immediate step to take: demand the withdrawal of those soldiers. Convoke Town Hall meetings as a matter of urgency. 24-hr Curfews are not the solution. Take over the security of your people with whatever resources you can rummage.
“Substitute community self-policing based on Local Councils, to curb hooligan infiltration and extortionist and destructive opportunism. We commiserate with the bereaved and urge state governments to compensate material losses, wherever,” he added.
Soyinka said to “commence any process of healing at all – dare one assume that this is the ultimate destination of desire? – the Army must apologize, not merely to the nation but to the global community – the facts are indisputable – you, the military, opened fire on unarmed civilians. There has to be structured restitution and assurance that such aberrations will not again be recorded.
“Then both governance and its security arms can commence a meaningful, lamentably overdue dialogue with society. Do not attempt to dictate -Dialogue!”
Popular Nigerian Comedian, Ayo Makun professionaly known has AY has declared positivity over the current unrest in Nigeria.
He encouraged Nigerians that even in the midst of the chaos, there is still hope for a better Nigeria because we serve a God of restoration.
The ace comedian took to Twitter to pray for the nation. He prayed for the leaders and the nation at large, requesting for a revival in the land.
His tweet reads,
There is hope for a better Nigeria. We serve a God of restoration. Today we pray that God almighty would give wisdom & empathy to our current leadership. We pray 4 revival in d land. More importantly, we pray for our leaders to seek common ground & unity with us in Jesus name. Amen
There is hope for a better Nigeria.We serve a God of restoration. Today we pray that God almighty would give wisdom & empathy to our current leadership.We pray 4 revival in d land. More importantly, we pray for our leaders to seek common ground & unity with us in Jesus name.Amen
The governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ebonyi state, following the violence that has trailed the supposed peaceful #EndSARS protest in the country.
Umahi, while condemning the attacks on police stations and the destruction of government infrastructures, stated that the peaceful protest by the youths have been hijacked by hoodlums and cultists.
He further revealed that security operatives in the state have sustained injuries from the attacks, hence the need for the curfew.
The governor, called on the security agencies to block all the borders of the state in order to protect lives and properties.
Music Executive, David Adeleke professionally known as Davido have taken to micro-blogging platform, Twitter to lament about his sleeplessness over the current upheaval in Nigeria.
Recall that uniformed men fired live rounds at peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll plaza on Tuesday, October 20, leaving many people badly injured.
Days following the incident have also been filled with heart wrenching events, including reports of deaths and destruction of properties. This has kept the vast majority of Nigerians in a state of sadness and gloominess.
The popular music artiste revealed that he has not been able to sleep following the incidents, as he is troubled and heartbroken over the state of the nation.
The ‘FEM’ crooner, who has been actively involved in the #EndSARS protest, also stated that he is certain that he is not the only one battling insomnia.
Big Brother Naija Lockdown housemate, Erica Nlewedin, has expressed her displeasure at the ironic turn of the #EndSARS protest.
She condemned the excessive looting and vandalism of stores in the high brow area of Lagos, Lekki by hoodlums. According to her, the fight is supposed to be against the oppresors, not innocent citizens.
This is coming after thugs under the guise of protesters, took advantage of the unrest in the country to destroy properties and cart away with the goods of store owners.
There have however been speculations that they are politically sponsored thugs, paid to cause mayhem and disrupt the peaceful protest.
The reality star took to micro-blogging platform, Twitter, to air her frustration and anger.
She wrote,
“Now thugs are looting and vandalizing shops in lekki! These are businesses of fellow citizens! The fight is against our oppressors, this makes no sense!”
Now thugs are looting and vandalizing shops in lekki! These are businesses of fellow citizens! The fight is against our oppressors, this makes no sense!
Reality TV star, Gifty Powers, has blamed #EndSARS protesters for the lives that were lost during the protest exercise.
She mocked the peaceful protesters for continuing with the protest and questioned if their shouting have brought the lost souls back to life.
According to the mother of one, Nigerians youths made a sorry attempt to copy Americans, but failed because there is a huge difference between both nations.
She said the protesters need to pray for wisdom as they didn’t listen when told to stop the protest and remain indoors. Gifty, who is currently in the US with her family, claimed to have warned the protesters to return home in one piece, but was labelled a ‘mad woman’.
The former BBNaija housemate opined that everything in life is not about force and advised the youths to go back to their drawing board to determine their next course of action, as the protest is killing more people.
Nollywood actress, Ada Ameh, has appealed to President Buhari and Governor Sanwo-olu to remove soldiers from the street so she can bury her daughter in peace.
Ada, popularly known as Emu in comedy sitcom, The Johnsons, lost her daughter two days ago after an unsuccessful surgery.
According to her, her daughter died in Abuja and she needs to travel to the country’s capital to carry out the burial procession.
In a video she shared on Instagram, she broke down in tears and pleaded with Buhari to listen to the demands of the #EndSARS protesters so that normalcy can return. She also threatened to walk to the airport naked, holding a placard if the government fails to stop the killings.
The grieving mother condemned the government for deploying soldiers to kill unarmed citizens instead of focusing the energy on the battle against terrorist group, Boko haram.
Popular Nigerian comedian, Mark Angel has finally cleared the air on what led to the rift between him and some protesters.
Recall, earlier today a viral video, showing the moment the comedian was almost beaten by angry protesters who accused him of using them for comedy.
Reacting to this, Mark Angel explained that he wasn’t trying to use anybody for comedy, and he came out to protest.
According to him, someone almost hit a protester with his car, and the protesters made attempt to mob the guy. Mark refused and asked them not to turn the protest to a violent one.
However, the protesters got angry and one of them suddenly started screaming – “you want to use us for comedy”.
Mark insisted that the guy’s comment had nothing to do with the situation and he has no idea why he had to say something like that.
A white woman known as Jessie Joe Jacobs, has revealed that she traced her ancestry to Nigeria years ago and she’s very proud to identify with the West African country.
According to her, a minister during the first Nigerian democracy, Dr. Moses Majekodunmi is her grandfather.
She shared a throwback photo of Majekodunmi and the then prime minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafewa Balewa, meeting with JF Kennedy in 1961.
In a post she shared on her Instgram page, Jessie described her grandpa as a very respected politician who survived many military coups that killed a lot of people.
Jessie went further by stating that she is using the black history month to celebrate her granddad, adding that she never got to know about her black history until she was in her teenage years.
She added that when she got to know of her black heritage, she became prouder of herself as she drew inspiration from it.
See her full post below;
This is my Grandpa with JF Kennedy. He was a senior minister in the first Nigerian Democracy after independence and was hosted with Nigeria’s new president at Blair House by JF Kennedy in 1961.
My Grandpa was an incredible man and well respected in Nigeria and across Africa in his role as health minister and leading figure in obstetrics, founding a hospital and even surviving a political coup.
As part of Black History Month, I would like to celebrate and share about my own black history I didn’t grow up knowing very much about my Nigerian history until I got into my teens. I was born and grew up in Teesside in a family who had lived in the area for a a number of generations, originally economic migrants from Ireland, Scotland and as far as Poland. My granddad William Jacobs and his family before him, ran market stalls on Stockton High street.
I always knew I was different, skin slightly darker, hair slightly curlier but I tried hard just to fit in. Learning about my African heritage made a big impact, learning about part of my history that I knew so little about gave me pride and inspiration, enabling me to own more of who I was and am.
This is why Black History Month is important to me, it gives us all a chance to learn more about the parts of black history in Britain that have been hidden; uncover the great achievements, the brilliant people that make up our diverse communities and enabling those communities to find the same pride and inspiration in their history as I found in mine.
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo has made his first public appearance in 4 years after being declared wanted by security agencies.
Recall that Tompolo was declared wanted in 2016 following two bench warrants issued against him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he was charged with N45.9bn fraud.
Speaking in a court after the declaration was made, the anti-graft agency told a federal judge that the whereabouts of the former militant leader was unknown. The EFCC further disclosed that all the security agencies can’t find him.
Minister of state for Labour, Festus Keyamo who was a counsel to the EFCC at that time said;
“We wish to inform the court that the warrant of arrest that this court issued in respect of the first defendant (Mr. Ekpemupolo) has not been executed despite the best efforts of all the security agents in this country.
“Every security agent in this country is involved in the search for the first defendant. What is unfolding is something that has never been seen before in this country for a very long time.”
Making his first public appearance in 4 years, Tompolo was seen vibing to an Ijaw song with his kinsmen who wore traditional outfits.
Video from the scene was streamed live on Facebook.
The Lekki Concession Company has debunked claims it removed the CCTVs at the Lekki-Victoria Island tollgate just before the sad shooting of peaceful protesters on Tuesday, October 20.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat shared a copy of the statement and wrote ;
This press release by the Lekki Concession Company should provide some feedback about a lot of stories we have seen on social media about the Lekki toll gate. It is important to understand all the factors at play as we continue to investigate. Perimeter CCTV was not removed.
