TheNewsGuru

Tag: #EndSARS Protest

#EndSARS Protest

  • Desmond Elliot recounts escaping being burnt alive during EndSARS protest

    Desmond Elliot recounts escaping being burnt alive during EndSARS protest

    Demond Elliot, the actor-turned-politician, has recounted  a harrowing experience during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, revealing how he narrowly escaped an attack by unidentified assailants.

    The #EndSARS protest, was a response to the police unit known for extrajudicial killings and extortion, aimed to disband the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    While the protests led to the special unit’s dissolution, it was met with a violent crackdown that tragically resulted in the deaths of several protesters.

    Speaking on Nollywood On Radio, Elliot, who is serving as a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, narrated the terrifying events he experienced during the protests, particularly when he was trapped in his Surulere constituency office due to a curfew.

    He recalled how the curfew, which had been imposed during the unrest, kept him from returning home.

    He said, “When there was a curfew during the EndSARS period, a lot of bad boys came into Surulere, and because of the curfew, I could not go home. I was stuck in Lekki, so I had to go back to my office in Surulere.

    “I was inside my office and never knew there was going to be anything, so I was watching the TV in my office because I had the intention to spend the night there.”

    The situation quickly escalated when Elliot heard screams coming from his landlady’s daughter, warning him to leave the office.

    “Next thing, I heard my landlady’s daughter screaming, saying I don’t stay there,” he recalled.

    Then things took a dramatic turn when a bottle filled with fuel and set on fire was thrown into his office, starting a fire.

    “I had to call the chief of staff for help. I have never been so scared in my life; it was horrible,” Elliot confessed.

  • 3 years after #EndSARS, over 15 protesters in Lagos prison– Amnesty

    3 years after #EndSARS, over 15 protesters in Lagos prison– Amnesty

    Amnesty International has said that a total of fifteen protesters arrested in 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained three years after the #EndSARS protest.

    According to a statement by the international non-governmental organisation on the third anniversary of the protest, the majority of the protesters are in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos without trial.

     

    It noted that the Nigerian authorities have filed trumped-up charges including theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder against many of the protesters, adding that some of those detained alleged that they had been subjected to torture.

     

    “Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Isa Sanusi Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

     

    Seven #EndSARS protesters – Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin – arrested in Lagos in 2020, are being arbitrarily held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Amnesty International said.

     

    Daniel Joy-Igbo, a Beninois #EndSARS protester arrested in Lagos in October 2020, who has also been detained at the Bar Beach Police Station, the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, and at a SARS facility in Ikeja, told Amnesty International:

    “Since my arraignment in December 2020, I have been locked up in the prison without trial. Since then, there has been no adjourned date for my case. I have not been taken to court since December 2020.”

     

    Sodiq Adigun, also arrested in October 2020, who was previously detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, told Amnesty International:

    “Let the government release me. I have been detained since 2020 without trial. I am innocent. My life has been shattered. I need my liberty.”

     

    Eight #EndSARS protesters – Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan and Sadiq Riliwan – have been detained without trial in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020.
    “All those detained solely for taking part in peaceful #EndSARS protests must be released immediately and unconditionally.”

    Torture in detention

    The Amnesty International report added that many peaceful #EndSARS protesters have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in detention since 2020.

    They include Oluwole Isa, currently held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, who told Amnesty International how he was tortured while in detention at the SARS facility in Ikeja:

    “I was tied with a rope. They bent me backwards and tied my hands and legs together at my back. An iron rod was passed in between my tied legs and hands. With the iron road, I was suspended on an iron bar. Then, they started beating me with a machete and wooden batons. They were forcing me to admit that I was involved in vandalism during the #EndSARS protests. When I could not bear the torture anymore, I told the Inspector that I would confess. At that point, I was almost going to die. He brought me down; I still have the scar of the machete cut on my throat”

     

  • Ayade relaxes curfew imposed during #EndSARS protest in Calabar

    Ayade relaxes curfew imposed during #EndSARS protest in Calabar

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has slighly relaxed the curfew hours in Calabar that was between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to now last from 12 midnight to 6 a.m.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Christian Ita, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, which was made available to newsmen on Monday in Calabar.

    “Following a review of the security situation in the state, Gov. Ben Ayade has ordered an immediate relaxation of the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the state.

    “Consequently, restriction of movement is now between the hours of 12 midnight and 6a.m., with effect from Aug. 2, 2021.

    “Members of the public can therefore go about their normal and lawful businesses between 6a.m. and 12 mid night,’’ he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG recalls that the governor in October last year imposed the curfew, following the destruction of property in Calabar by hoodlums who hijacked the #ENDSARS protest.

  • Lagos Judicial Panel receives autopsy reports of 99 corpses recovered during #EndSARS protest week

    Lagos Judicial Panel receives autopsy reports of 99 corpses recovered during #EndSARS protest week

    The Lagos Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of SARS and other related abuses has admitted in evidence post mortem results and Compact Discs of all 99 corpses deposited at the Lagos morgue between the 20th and the 27th of October 2020.

    A consultant pathologist to the Lagos State Government, Professor John Obafunwa, who is testifying before the panel on Saturday brought the results following an order made on June 5, 2021, for it to be produced.

    The documents were contained in two nylon bags- blue and white.

    The Chairman of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi admitted the documents in evidence after the counsel to some EndSARS protesters, Yinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) moved for the documents to be admitted.

    There was no objection from other parties before the panel.

    Earlier at the June 5 sitting of the panel, the Chairman, Justice Okuwobi had ordered Professor Obafunwa to bring before the panel the post mortem reports conducted on all 99 bodies said to have been picked from different parts of Lagos between the 20th and 27th of Oct, 2020.

    The Chairman of the panel made the order after the pathologist testified that the coroner’s office conducted post mortem autopsies on 99 bodies during the period.

    He had also testified that of the 99, only 3 bodies were labelled as #EndSARS Lekki. The identities of all three male victims still remain unknown.

    As of the time of this report, Olumide-Fusika has begun his cross-examination of the pathologist.

  • Youths destroyed employment opportunities during #EndSARS protests – Lalong

    Youths destroyed employment opportunities during #EndSARS protests – Lalong

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has assured youths of participation in his administration in order to address their problems and enhance development in the state.

    Lalong gave the assurance on Sunday at the 2020 Harvest and Thanksgiving mass of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Rantya, Jos.

    While stating that his administration would embark on constructive engagements with the youth, he urged them to be law-abiding and separate criminality from genuine agitations to enhance a secure future.

    “This is because, during the #EndSARS protests, some youths looted and destroyed items at organisations which should have served as employment centres for them,” he said.

    Lalong explained that the positive engagements would facilitate opportunities for youths through skill acquisition, in addition to employment opportunities.

    He said that despite the economic challenges of COVID-19, his administration was able to implement a new minimum wage for civil servants and pay their salaries as at when due.

    “We have many things to thank God for. We felt the health, economic, and social challenges that COVID-19 came with, as our state was at a point an epicentre of the virus.

    “Today, however, the prevalence rate has dropped and we have been able to sustain payment of salaries. We have also implemented a new minimum wage. So, I am grateful to God,” he said.

    In his homily, the Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Anthony Okparaji, who celebrated the mass, thanked God for protecting Nigeria from recording severe casualties during the COVID-19 pandemic, as was the case in some countries.

    He urged Christians to be grateful to God, even in challenging situations, saying that a courageous Christian would have the capacity to win in whatever situation, while fear destroyed one’s spiritual immune system.

    “Year 2020 is a challenging year. What has befallen us whether coronavirus or calamities, is beyond our expectations. Our plans were dashed because of the situations in which we found ourselves, but we must be thankful to God.

    “Many thought Africa would have completely been wiped out because of COVID-19, but God has proven that He is greater than everybody and everything. We are alive today and God has done it for us”, he said.

    He urged Christians not to allow the fear of the unknown to affect their faith in God, stressing that faith was critical in any believer’s life.

    The cleric called for love for one another, stressing “people should treat one another with dignity”.

    According to him, the challenges currently facing the country are man-made, whereas in other climes, people face other forms of calamities.

    “Other nations face other calamities but in Nigeria, we face calamities most of which were caused by us. We see people’s inhumanity to one another and this is not right”, he said.

  • Police transfer #EndSARS campaigner Eromosele Agene from Lagos to Abuja

    Police transfer #EndSARS campaigner Eromosele Agene from Lagos to Abuja

    Police in Lagos have moved a #EndSARS promoter Eromosele Agene to Abuja over his plan to hold a protest during the weekend.

    The singer was reportedly arrested by 15 policemen at his Ikeja home in Lagos on Saturday.

    He was subsequently presented before the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti and then to Area F, Ikeja.

    It was gathered that policemen tracked him down using his phone number printed on fliers advertising the protest.

    His sister Onomene Agene told newsmen on Monday that Agene was transferred to Abuja for fear it could spark a protest in Lagos.

    “He has been moved to Abuja and I think they decided to move him because they would not be able to control the outrage in Lagos,” she said.

    The move follows a directive by the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu who visited Lagos last week that the police should ensure that there were no more protests across the nation.

    Lagos police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, when contacted by the newspaper, said he would find out what was happening.

  • NIS backs down, tells #EndSARS promoter, Odele to come pick seized passport

    NIS backs down, tells #EndSARS promoter, Odele to come pick seized passport

    Sequel to the outrage that erupted on social media after officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, stopped one of the promoters of the recent #EndSARS protests, Modupe Odele from travelling out of the country and subsequently seized her passport, the service has contacted Odele to come pick the passport.

    Odele’s passport was seized six days ago at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos while travelling out of the country.

    She had complained and wondered why her passport was seized without any explanation from the NIS.

    The NIS had earlier denied that her passport was seized because of her involvement in #EndSARS campaign against police brutality.

    According to NIS’ spokesman, Sunday James, her passport was seized as part of a routine border assignment.

    “As an enforcement agency in charge of border management, if there is an order restricting anybody from entry into the country, we enforce it without any prejudice.

    “This doesn’t have anything to do with EndSARS protest or an individual, it is a routine assignment.”

    However, on Friday, Odele tweeted that NIS has asked her to come for the collection of her passport by 4.00pm on Friday (today).

    She said she had told them that she would come to pick it up by Monday.

    Odele stated that she asked for an earlier time, but was told that the passport would only be ready by 4.00pm.

    “I’ve been told by Immigration that my passport is ready for collection from 4pm today. I’ve respectfully informed them I’ll be there on Monday to pick it up.

    “Since today is Friday, I asked for an earlier time but was told it will only be ready from 4pm today Friday,” she tweeted.

     

  • #EndSARS: Wike imposes 24-hour curfew in Onyigbo LGA, others

    #EndSARS: Wike imposes 24-hour curfew in Onyigbo LGA, others

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has imposed a 24 hour curfew in the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.

    Governor Wike in a state wide broadcast today also announced that the curfew also extends to Mile 1, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikowu and Iloaubuchi areas of Port Harcourt Local Government Area as well as Oil Mill area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

    The governor explained that the decision to impose the curfew was taken after a State Security Council meeting which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt earlier today.

    Governor Wike stated that while the State Government appreciate and commend the peaceful nature of the on going “EndSARS protests , it was becoming clear by the day that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums to unleash carnage.

    “Earlier today, some hoodlums attacked and destroyed Police Stations and Court buildings in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State. Another set of hooligans were also on rampage at the Ikokwu spare parts markets disturbing public peace and damaging property.”

    Governor Wike asserted that the State government cannot watch helplessly and allow trouble-makers to take the laws into their hands and use the current situation to create a state of panic and insecurity.

    To this end, he said consequently, the State’s Security Council had decided to impose curfew in some parts of the State to secure lives and property.

    “A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Mile 1, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikokwu and Iloaubuchi arears of Port Harcourt from 6.30 p.m. today 21st October 2020.”

    “A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area from 6.30 p.m. today, 21st October 2020; a 24-hour curfew has also been imposed on Oil mill area in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area” he said.

    The governor has therefore directed security agencies to enforce the curfew with effect from 6.30 p.m. today 21st October 2020.

    Similarly, Local Government Chairmen have also been directed to mobilize vigilantes and work with security agencies to ensure that no hoodlum is allowed to disturb the peace or destroy lives and property in their Local Government Areas.

    “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious characters to the security agencies for immediate action. Let me appeal to our youths not to allow themselves to be used to roll-back the peace we are enjoying in the State under any pretext” he added.

  • Fallout of #EndSARS protest: Hoodlums attack, loot Osogbo City Mall

    Fallout of #EndSARS protest: Hoodlums attack, loot Osogbo City Mall

    Suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked Osogbo City Mall, vandalised shops and stole electronic gadgets, phones and laptops.

    Eye witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the hoodlums stormed the mall on motorcycles at about 7pm, forcing security guards and shops owners to run for safety.

    The attack came on the day the state governor’s convoy was allegedly attacked by #EndSARS protesters, leaving two people reportedly dead.

    One of the eye witnesses, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the fierce approach of the hoodlums sent everyone in the mall running for safety.

    He said that the hoodlums came in large numbers and had a free day, as no policeman or any other security personnel intervened to save the situation.

    “They rode on over 20 motorcycles with about three passengers each on the bikes, and they came with dangerous weapons.

    “The private security guards at the mall had to run for safety, because they don’t carry arms.

    “The hoodlums destroyed the glass doors of the electronics stores within the mall and carted away phones, laptops and other items,” the witness said.

    There were also reports of arson at a public facility in Osogbo, allegedly carried out by the hoodlums.

    The Police spokesperson in the state, SP Opalola Yemisi, confirmed the incident and said that efforts were on to bring the situation under control and arrest the perpetrators.

  • Ngige accuses ASUU of fueling #EndSARS protests

    Ngige accuses ASUU of fueling #EndSARS protests

    The Federal Government has accused the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) of fuelling the ongoing civil unrest by youths across the country.

    According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, the youths who were supposed to be in schools are being recruited into End SARS protest due to the industrial action the union embarked upon.

    Ngige said this in a reconciliation meeting between the Federal Government and ASUU on Thursday in Abuja.

    In his words, “for the past one week, we have all been on our toes, we’ve been meeting, and we pray that this meeting will yield good fruits.

    “We don’t take pleasure in the fact that the children who are supposed to be in school are being recruited into the EndSARS, #EndStrike, #EndSWAT campaign.

    “As much as possible, we’ll try to see how we can meet ourselves halfway so that we can resolve this crisis to the benefits of all and the country at large.”

    The minister said that the Federal Government has commenced the process of testing the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) platform, created by ASUU.

    He said that ASUU members have claimed that the platform will accommodate the peculiarities of the university systems and that the platform will involve three stages of the test to be concluded within the time frame the union gave the government.

    “We have the preliminary report, and the test run on the UTAS, and we believe that with that, we will be able to get it right.

    “Let me make it clear to members of the press. We never said UTAS would replace the Integrated Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as some of you are reporting.

    “No! The UTAS developed by them is for the University systems, and they feel that it captures the peculiarities that are configured to accommodate all the University systems, especially as it affects the Professors and other teaching staff and even the Non-Academic Staff.

    “We, as a government, feel we are going to put it up for tests – three stages of the test. We’ve done the first stage of the test, which is within the timeline of six months that ASUU promised.

    “We are going to do another integrity test, Alpha test, Beta test and the one they call roll-over and other whatever test. It’s the technologists that know all those tests. But this is the round we are going on now,” he said.