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#EndSARS: Senate President Asks Youths to End Protests

15Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, Legislature, News, Nigeria, Youths

#EndSARS: Senate President Asks Youths to End Protests

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, advised the youths engaging in anti-SARS protests to put an end to their agitations on the streets. He said ending the protests would enable the President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the implementation of their five-point agenda. Lawan also enjoined the President to expedite actions on the reform for peace to reign. Lawan said, “Nigerians have the right to a peaceful demonstration when they feel very strongly about issues. “They can do so to call the attention of the leaders of this country for the appropriate actions to be taken. “The government has responded, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been disbanded. “All the five demands of the protesters have been accepted. ” I believe that when protesters’ demands...

Oyo State Govt Releases ₦1 Million Each To Families Of Isiaka, Other Slain Victims

14Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Crime, Human Rights, Justice, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

Oyo State Govt Releases ₦1 Million Each To Families Of Isiaka, Other Slain Victims

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday paid a condolence visit to the family of deceased Jimoh Isiaka and two other victims of the violence that started during the ENDSARS protests. Makinde entourage included the Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, and some lawmakers explained that beyond the EndSARS protest, most Nigerians have become frustrated over prevailing harsh economic reality in the country and warned that if government fails to address youth idleness with gainful employment there might be a future disaster. He noted that while his government was not against peaceful protest, youths embarking on protesters must be responsible enough to voice their concerns as the state government would work more at ensuring youths in the state wer...

#EndSARS: Presidential Panel Approves Protesters’ Demands

13Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

#EndSARS: Presidential Panel Approves Protesters’ Demands

The Presidency has disclosed that the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad has approved the five-point demands submitted by youths embarking on nationwide protests across the nation. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Presidential panel on police reforms swings into action, plays 5-point demand of protesters' said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu convened a meeting following the request by President Muhammadu Buhari. The statement reads: “Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Moh...

SARS Disbandment only the First Step in Police Reform – Buhari

12Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Security

SARS Disbandment only the First Step in Police Reform – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on Monday amid the persistent nationwide peaceful demonstration against brutality and highhandedness of operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force. Buhari in a short clip posted on his official Twitter handle, @MBuhari, said the disbandment of SARS was only a first step to extensive police reforms, adding that major responsibility of the police was the protection of lives of the people. He added that his administration will ensure that all those responsible for wrongdoing are brought to justice. The President stated that an inquiry into the murder of a young man in Oyo State during the protests had been instigated. He said, “I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent gen...

11Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Crime, Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

Breaking: IGP Disbands SARS Nationwide

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has announced the immediate dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) effective from Sunday, 11th October. He made the announcement around 1.30 pm at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He said the police unit is dissolved across all formations, the 36 state commands, and the Federal Capital Territory. He said officers and men currently serving in the unit will be redeployed. He said new policing arrangements to address the offences of armed robbery and other violent crimes will be presented in due course. Details shortly...

#EndSARS: SERAP Asks Commonwealth to Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks on Protesters

11Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

#EndSARS: SERAP Asks Commonwealth to Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks on Protesters

Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, to hold Nigerian authorities to account for persistent attacks on protesters demanding for an end to SARS. The group criticised many reports of human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria by security operatives. This was disclosed in a letter to Scotland by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director who asked for suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth as a measure to induce the government to respect the values of human rights, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, Vanguard reports. According to the letter, SERAP said, “A government that attacks its own citizens for peaceful protests severely undermines its credibility as a democratic regi...

Lagos Assembly Throws Weight Behind #EndSARS Protests

9Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Lagos Assembly Throws Weight Behind #EndSARS Protests

Lagos State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the #EndSARS protest with a demand on the proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They also demanded the introduction of a new and well-structured security outfit by the Federal Government and called on Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to provide protection for the protesters while they express their grievances. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made these requests at an emergency sitting of the House. Among the seven-point resolution passed after an extensive deliberation was also that the National Assembly should carry out a probe of the allegations against F-SARS including killing, maiming and dehumanising of Nigerians. “The Commissioner of Police should stop unwarranted molestation of ou...

#ENDSARS: Police Clash with Protesters in Abuja

9Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security, Violence

#ENDSARS: Police Clash with Protesters in Abuja

Protesters who are demanding for scrapping of Special Anti-robbery Squad of the Nigerian police clashed with police operatives in Abuja on Friday. Reports say police fired teargas and shot indiscriminately in a bid to disperse the protesters in the nation’s capital. A video which surfaced online shows protesters scampering for safety. The protesters in the video could be heard shouting “they are shooting at us”, “don’t kill us with teargas”, “you must #EndSARS”. A protester identified as @BrianJDenis on Twitter, tweeted “Police officers have opened fire at us with live bullets at Central Area, Abuja. Some people are injured.” In a related development, Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police, condemned the violent attack on policemen and damage to police operational v...

Lauretta Onochie, Wizkid in a War of Words on Twitter

7Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Security, Youths

Lauretta Onochie, Wizkid in a War of Words on Twitter

Nigerian singer Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, and Lauretta Onochie, special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, engaged in war of words on Twitter over Wizkid’s comment on police brutality. The issue started after the multiple-award winning singer berated President Buhari on Twitter, Sunday for wishing American President, Donald Trump a quick recovery from COVID-19 at a time when police brutality generated public outcry. Replying to the tweet, Wizkid described Buhari as an “old man” who should focus more on issues in Nigeria rather than in the United States. https://twitter.com/wizkidayo/status/1312696279210786818 The singer spoke on the heels of reinvigorated protests against the actions of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) after ...

#ENDSARS: Naira Marley Calls off Planned Protest, Speaks to Force PRO

6Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

#ENDSARS: Naira Marley Calls off Planned Protest, Speaks to Force PRO

Nigerian musician Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley has called off his support for the #EndSARS campaign aimed at protesting police brutality in the nation. He also spoke with Force spokesman Frank Mba on measures to protect the youths amid the #EndSARS campaign. The singer had earlier called off a protest slated for Tuesday morning in Lagos after the Nigeria Police Office issued a press statement indicating their interest to engage him and the youths in an Instagram live session to address the concerns raised against SARS. Naira Marley further condemned the activities of some personnel of the force who are in the habit of harassing innocent youths. He said the protest was called off in the interest of the youths and not as insinuated in some quarters that he wa...