Tag: Security - Page 57 - African News Today

#EndSARS: Army Declare Readiness to Step in as Protests Persist

15Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Violence

#EndSARS: Army Declare Readiness to Step in as Protests Persist

The Nigerian army has expressed its readiness to move in against troublemakers as nationwide protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings rage on. Thousands of Nigerian youths have taken to the streets over the past week to protest against the actions of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and demanding for immediate police reform. At least 10 people have died and scores injured during protest, which have been resisted by the police. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had responded to the demands of the protesters by disbanding SARS. The IGP subsequently announced the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to fill void left by the disbandment of SARS. Despite the move, protests have continued unabated. Reacting to the violence t...

End SWAT Formation Now – Says Don Jazzy as he Opposes Formation of New Police Unit

14Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security

End SWAT Formation Now – Says Don Jazzy as he Opposes Formation of New Police Unit

Mavin Records CEO and music industry heavyweight, Don Jazzy, has spoken against the formation of a new police unit to replace the scrapped Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police. African News Today had reported the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit which was announced by IGP Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday. According to Adamu, the SWAT will fill the gaps occasioned by the disbandment of SARS. The police chief also mandated all officers of the scrapped SARS to report to Abuja for psychological and medical examination. Don jazzy reacted to the formation of the new squad in a post on his verified Twitter handle, saying that the new SWAT should be ended before the government makes claims of huge sums used to set up the unit. He said, “...

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...

New Police Unit, SWAT to Replace Disbanded SARS – IGP

13Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Security

New Police Unit, SWAT to Replace Disbanded SARS – IGP

Former SARS operatives to undergo psychological examination As a follow up to the disbandment of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has approved the formation of a new unit to replace the scrapped police unit of the Nigeria Police Force.. The IGP said that the force has introduced Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to replace the disbanded SARS. Police spokesman, Frank Mba disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that personnel of the defunct police unit were to report at the force headquarters for medical screening. The statemen read in part, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, has, today, 13th October, 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of th...

#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...