Violence

Protesting Youths Set Zik’s Statue Aflame in Onitsha, Anambra
Environment, Infrastructure, News, Nigeria, Violence, Youths

Protesting Youths Set Zik’s Statue Aflame in Onitsha, Anambra

Enraged youths on Thursday set ablaze the statue of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, erected in Onitsha Anambra State. The perpetrators are suspected to be thugs who hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest which was initiated as a movement to end police brutality and bad governance in the country. The monument was erected some months ago by Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano at Dennis Memorial Grammar School roundabout in Onitsha to decorate the commercial hub of the state, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr Victor Ononye, a kinsman of the first president of Nigeria while recounting the incident said, “What happened at the DMGS Roundabout, Onitsha, which I saw with my own eyes, evoked tears. “They decapitated the hand and went away with his title staff. That is the height of ingrati...
TVC Resumes broadcast After Being Vandalised
Lagos News, Nigeria, Violence

TVC Resumes broadcast After Being Vandalised

Following a four days hiatus due to an attack of its headquarters in Lagos by irate youths, Television Continental (TVC) has resumed broadcasting. A group of angry youths had attacked TVC’s headquarters at Ketu on Wednesday, wrecking its facilities thereby taking the station off air. The attack was part of destruction that took place after security operatives opened fire at peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate area on Tuesday. The reopening of TVC comes after the Nation newspaper resumed operation. The Nation’s headquarters was equally attacked by angry youths. Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had appealed for an end to violence while urging all stakeholders to resist the urge to derail the developmental strides which had been recorded by the state.
IPOB: Wike Declares Manhunt for Stanley Mgbere, Places N50m Bounty
Crime, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

IPOB: Wike Declares Manhunt for Stanley Mgbere, Places N50m Bounty

Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State has placed a N50 million bounty on a leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) identified as Stanley Mgbere. The governor reiterated its ban on the activities of the IPOB across the state in conformity with the proscription of the group by the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government. This was disclosed during a state broadcast on Friday by governor Wike who noted that Mgbere led members of the IPOB to perpetrate destruction of lives and property in Oyigbo Local Government of the state. He said, “Security agencies are hereby directed to stop any form of procession or agitation by IPOB in Rivers State or any part thereof and arrest and prosecute any person or group that identifies with the membership or activities of IPOB in the State; Governm...
Why Buhari didn’t Speak on Lekki Shootings – Presidency
Human Rights, Interview, Nigeria, Violence

Why Buhari didn’t Speak on Lekki Shootings – Presidency

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina has disclosed that the President didn’t mention anything about the shooting of #ENDSARS protesters in Lekki on Tuesday night during a nationwide broadcast because it would be “premature and presumptuous.” There were widespread condemnations from Nigerians who berated Buhari for not mentioning about the shootings or empathizing with the victims during the much-awaited presidential broadcast. Femi Adesina, who appeared on Politics Today, a live show on Channel Televisions monitored by African News Today, said the President didn't mention the shooting during the broadcast because it was being investigated. He said: “The Defence Headquarters issued a statement to say that it was investigating the matter...
Lagos Will Not Be Destroyed Under my Watch, Sanwo-Olu says as he Sues for Calm
Infrastructure, Justice, Lagos News, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Security, Violence

Lagos Will Not Be Destroyed Under my Watch, Sanwo-Olu says as he Sues for Calm

Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has decried the extent of damage done to public and private properties as thugs masquerading under the #EndSARS movement took to the streets wrecking several government infrastructures and looting private businesses across the state. The governor after a tour of the destroyed facilities across the state with members of his cabinet called for peace as further destruction won’t be tolerated. This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Gbeyega Akosile, titled ‘Sanwo-Olu preaches peace as he inspects Govt, private assets destroyed in Wednesday coordinated attacks’. Sanwo-Olu urged those inciting people on social media to refrain from such acts as they were capable of sabotaging the current normalcy which has returned to the...
#EndSARS: Full Text of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Address to the Nation
News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

#EndSARS: Full Text of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Address to the Nation

Fellow Nigerians, 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...
Jailbreak in Warri Prison as Inmates Escape amidst Shooting and Fire Outbreak
Crime, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Violence, Youths

Jailbreak in Warri Prison as Inmates Escape amidst Shooting and Fire Outbreak

A yet-t0-be known number of prisoners have escaped the Nigerian Correctional Centre, commonly referred to as Okere Prison in Warri South council area of Delta State, amidst heavy shooting by security operatives. Flames and thick smoke are also emanating from the premises, fuelling fear among residents, most of whom have locked shops and scampered for safety. The cause of the fire is not clear, but confirmed reports claim that the thick smoke coming out of the premises of the correctional centre is as a result of the burning of tyres. It was learnt that the shootings were to scare hoodlums planning the jail break, away. Residents of Okere Road where the prison is located are panicking over the possible replication of the incidents in Edo, Lagos and other states. An unclear vi...
No Jailbreak in Ikoyi Prisons, fire Contained – Officials
Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Violence

No Jailbreak in Ikoyi Prisons, fire Contained – Officials

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Lagos has stated that the fire that broke out in a part of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre has been controlled. The service also dismissed fears there was a jailbreak in the facility, insisting that the fire only affected a part of the centre and did not involve inmates. Spokesman for the service in Lagos, Rotimi Oladokun said there was no cause for alarm, adding that a statement would be issued soon. He said: “There was fire on a part of the correctional centre but it has been contained. It did not affect the inmates in any way. There is no jail break and all is fine. We will issue a statement soon.” Earlier, Ikoyi residents have raised alarm following billowing smoke and gunshots heard from that axis. Armed detachments of police op...
Ebonyi State Government Imposes Curfew as Violence Erupts
Crime, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Ebonyi State Government Imposes Curfew as Violence Erupts

Ebonyi State governor, David Nweze Umahi has declared 24-hour curfew in the state to mitigate the spate of violence in the state. The curfew comes after thugs on Wednesday set ablaze two police stations in Abakaliki. Irate youths burnt the Kpiripiri and Ekeaba Police Stations after setting free cell inmates. African News Today gathered that the youths blocked major roads in the state leading to traffic and restriction of movement. Umahi in a broadcast said the perpetrators of the violent acts were not from the state, adding that several security agents have been injured by the rampaging youths. He said, “These hoodlums and cultists are not Ebonyians but they came from outside because they do not wish us well.” “Security agencies in our state have sustained injuries from the ...