TheNewsGuru

Tag: #EndSARS Protesters

  • #EndSARS protesters present fresh seven-point demand to Buhari

    #EndSARS protesters present fresh seven-point demand to Buhari

    Nigerian youths, particularly the ones agitating for an end to police brutality, corruption and impunity, have highlighted a seven-point demand that must be met by the Presidency.

    The list surpasses the former #5for5 demands, that was earlier submitted.

    Over 13,000 youths have signed a petition on a website (www.change.org) that advocates and empowers citizens from around the world to demand civic rights.

    In the new #7for7 list, the protesters demand institutional reforms, cost of governance, constitutional reforms, education reforms, health reforms, youth affairs and public office reforms.

    Read the full statement below

    1. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS (SECURITY)

    That the 5-point demand to release arrested protesters, compensate families of victims, investigate and prosecute all reports of misconduct, proscribe SARS and review the welfare of police be implemented immediately.

    However, we believe the systemic rot in the police is widespread across Government institutions. Therefore, we urgently demand immediate Institutional reform across all federal government institutions, agencies and parastatals, especially focused on national security.

    The focus will be on improved welfare and terms of service for the police, military and all law enforcement agencies, provide body-worn cameras for operation, refurbished housing, health, academic and pre- and post-retirement life insurance policy for the rank-and-file personnel.

    Also reforms on adherence to the laws guiding discipline and prosecution of erring servicemen this should be aimed at extinguishing all notions of impunity.

    2) COST OF GOVERNANCE

    We have watched over the years the waste associated with governing Nigeria. We have noted the duplication and unprofessionalism in the civil service and across all strata.

    We demand an urgent budgetary framework with 50% capital expenditure and 50% recurrent expenditure in all appropriation bill.

    We demand a drastic reduction in the cost of governance. We also demand that the national assembly, be first by streamlined into a unicameral legislative and be further stripped down to become a part-time job.

    The huge salaries and benefits accorded them by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should be reduced to the barest minimum.

    3) CONSTITUTION REFORMS

    There had been several constitutional reviews where youths were obviously absent. Whether by omission or commission or both, the time has come for an informed and progressive participation by the youths.

    The Nigerian constitution as it exists presently does not serve all Nigerians. A more robust and engaged constitution designed and approved by all Nigerians will serve the nation.

    We demand an urgent referendum within 90 days to begin the line-by-line review, reconstruction and upgrade of the extant constitution to be more functional for a 21st Century nation. The selection process for this referendum will have 50% young people under 60 nominated by their peers in a transparent, judicious and fair process.

    We demand that credence be given to terms of citizenship over indigeneship and state of residence over state of origin.

    4) EDUCATION REFORMS

    · One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is a Nigerian child. About 13.2 million Nigerian children aged 5-14 years are not in school. The impact of these numbers will be felt for generations.

    · We demand that a state of emergency is declared in the education sector and demand increase in the budgetary allocation to the educational sector by 50% and to double again within the next 24 months. This funds will be used to drive the education sector to provide affordable quality education to all citizens.

    · A certain percentage of this allocation should be devoted to granting scholarship to outstanding Nigerians without recourse to the tribe, religious or sex.

    · We demand a systemic overhaul in our curriculum and method of teaching to upgrade to a digital experience.

    · We demand that teachers should be incentivized to attract the best brains and should be standardized and professionalized.

    · We demand that the parent of any child not in primary school will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

    · We demand that there be an Annual independent external Audit of Fund allocation and project execution: from Government approval to disbursement across the ministry, which would further be used to publish at least an abridged Financial statement available digitally to ensure transparency.

    5) HEALTH REFORMS

    We demand that a state of emergency is declared in the health sector and demand increase in the budgetary allocation to the health sector by 50%

    · We demand mandatory health insurance for the vulnerable population in our society as NHIS is not doing enough to serve all Nigerians. We demand that adequate provision be put in place to protect the rights and privileges of physically challenged citizens in Nigeria.

    · We demand urgent attention to mental health and a fund to set aside to create more professionals.

    · We demand proper implementation of the National Health Act of 2014, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund).

    · We demand that there be an Annual independent external Audit of Fund allocation and project execution: from Government approval to disbursement across the ministry, which would further be used to publish at least an abridged Financial statement available digitally to ensure transparency.

    6) YOUTH AFFAIRS REFORM

    We have noted the giant strides made by Gen Z and Millennials across the globe. Many multi-billion corporations where founded by both generations. In Nigeria, it is extremely difficult for such to occur. The enabling environment viz-a-viz investors and lenders confidence, stable interest rate and manageable inflation are deficit in our dear nation.

    · We demand that a state of emergency be declared in the ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of National Planning. We demand that this should be adequately funded, sports academy should be revamped.

    · We demand the creation of the Youth development funds dedicated to growing the creative industries and agriculture.

    · We demand that the Not-Too-Young to run bill should be expanded to include–50% inclusion of youth under 40 in every cabinet in government.

    · We demand that the youth inclusion be monitored by the FCC as they currently monitor state inclusion and the NCDMB and other stakeholders partake in this action to protect our future.

    7) PUBIC OFFICE REFORMS

    · We demand code of conduct reforms for all elected public office holders to have themselves and their children use public schools and public hospitals ONLY. Violation of which is immediate impeachment and recall.

    · We demand the immediate removal of immunity clause from public office holders to make them answerable to investigations at all times when and where necessary.

    · We demand the immediate resignation of every public officer found guilty of any forms of crimes and corruption step aside during investigation also.

    · Implementation of full digitization of the judicial process, prison decongestion reforms, with reforms drawn from past projects like the Uwais Report, Keyamo’s ministerial screening address, strict time limits to the determination of industries litigations, etc.

     

  • GRAPHIC VIDEOS: Two confirmed dead, scores injured as hoodlums shoot #EndSARS protesters in Benin

    GRAPHIC VIDEOS: Two confirmed dead, scores injured as hoodlums shoot #EndSARS protesters in Benin

    At least two persons have been confirmed dead and scores injured as hoodlums fired gun shots at #EndSARS protesters in Benin, capital of Edo state.

    One of the dead protesters was identified simply as Ikpomwosa.

    The peaceful protest by hundreds of youths which began at the city centre, later turned bloody, as the hoodlums clashed with the protesting youths.

    It was gathered that some youths, called Ogbe Boys who collect revenue for Oredo local government council, accused the protesters of preventing them from collecting money from vehicles using the car park.

    The hoodlums were said to have suddenly appeared with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack the protesters.

    While some of the protesting youths took to their heels, others stayed back to persuade the hoodlums that the peaceful protest was for all of the youths and that they were not out to fight anybody.

    It was further learnt that the hoodlums who were clad in red T-shirt, were saying “why are they disturbing our work,” and in the process brought guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack the protesting youths.

    Some of those who received gunshot injuries in the ensuing violence were later rushed to the nearby Central Hospital.

    The body of Ikpomwosa was conveyed in an ambulance through the Reservation Road to the Government House.

    One of the injured persons, Abere Godswill, said the hoodlums descended on him thinking he wanted to video as they removed cutlasses from their vehicle

    “I didn’t join the protest, I was coming from the bank when I met them on the road. Because I held phone in my hand, they started beating me saying I wanted to video them. They collected the phone and I had to run for my life,” he said

    The youths however, later regrouped after the hoodlums had been chased away and continued the protest.

    Also speaking, one of the protesters, Efosa Igbinoba, said they were at the Ring Road to protest police brutality and good governance in Nigeria, only to be attacked by hoodlums.

    “We started the protest from Sapele Road, but on getting to the Ring Road, hoodlums just appeared from nowhere with cutlasses and guns to attack us and disrupt the protest.

    “Our demands are, don’t end SARS and come with SWAT. Police should be reformed as well as reduction of salary of the members of the House of Representative and the Senate,” he said.

    Another protester, Victoria Nkechi, (60), said she is on the street to support the youths in their protest for good governance.

    “Years ago, I called for protest due to bad governance, but no body listened to me. Today, I am glad that they are protesting for good governance today,” she said.

  • #EndSARS protesters set up loudspeakers, tents on Gbagada-Oshodi expressway

    #EndSARS protesters set up loudspeakers, tents on Gbagada-Oshodi expressway

    #EndSARS protesters on Friday morning, took over the Gbagada-Oshodi expressway, disrupting free flow of vehicular movements.

    Promising to remain on the expressway for a long time, the protesters took over a lane on the expressway chanting “End SARS, End SWAT”.

    It was observed the protesters set up loud speakers and tents on the expressway, and were seen holding placards with different catchphrases.

    Details shortly…

  • I didn’t sponsor attack on Alausa #EndSARS protesters- Mc Oluomo

    I didn’t sponsor attack on Alausa #EndSARS protesters- Mc Oluomo

    Chairman of the National Union of the Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos State Council Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo) has labeled allegations he sponsored attacks on #EndSARS protesters at Alausa as mischievous.

    Oluomo on Friday morning, 16th of October 2020 took to his Instagram page to debunk the claims.

    According to him, “The brutality and extortion experienced by the good people of Nigeria is unacceptable and must be stopped .Nigerian Police Force must be reformed”.

     

    The union leader said: “I will like to state unequivocally that I neither know the thugs that destruct the protest nor sponsor them because I have no reason to do so. Their demands are for the generality of Nigerians and I totally align myself with them.A better and safer Nigeria is what I want for both my children and loved ones. That is why it came to me as a shock when some unscrupulous individuals were peddling falsehood that I am the one that sponsored the thugs that disperse the protesters. I am not responsible and I will never be part of such anti-people move.Luckily enough, some of the thugs had been arrested. I implore the Police to conduct their investigations diligently and make the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law”.

     

  • VIDEOS: Heavily armed thugs storm Alausa in convoy, stab protesters, disrupt #EndSARS protests

    VIDEOS: Heavily armed thugs storm Alausa in convoy, stab protesters, disrupt #EndSARS protests

    Pandemonium broke out at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa on Thursday after heavily armed thugs stormed venue of the #EndSARS protest in convoy of chartered vehicles.

    In a video that surfaced online, the thugs were seen with a knife and other weapons.

    The thugs are reported to have inflicted injuries on the protesters.

    https://twitter.com/CouncilofE/status/1316664832096169994?s=20

    Meanwhile, the protesters have taken to their social media accounts to demand for help while alleging that the thugs were state sponsored.

    https://twitter.com/mrmacaronii/status/1316660603210039296?s=20

    Details later…

  • Two feared dead, others injured as vehicle rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

    Two feared dead, others injured as vehicle rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

    Two persons were feared dead and many others injured on Wednesday as a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) ran into a crowd of protesters at Alagbado area of Lagos.

    Footage from a viral video posted online showed two bodies being carried away by some youths.

    A volunteer medical corps was deployed, especially around Amikanle area, to care for the wounded, who were moved to the Hospital.

    Eyewitnesses said the silver SUV ran into the protesters in a bid to scare them off the road.

    A mob descended on the SUV and a tricycle that was also involved in the accident.

    Despite the heavy rains, protests again grounded Lagos, preventing those going to work or businesses from making it.

    Demanding a reform of the police, the protesters bore placards demanding the scrapping of the newly created Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) unit.

    They also demanded that only graduates with experience should be drafted into the team.

    At the Alausa area of the state, attempts by hoodlums to hijack the protest were repelled by the protesters who insisted that they must remain peaceful.

    Thugs said to have come from Agege had attempted to loot vehicles but were subdued by genuine protesters who chased them off the area.

    At Lekki, the protesters laid siege to the Toll gate and brought traffic to a halt, forcing vehicles to use connecting roads.

    The protest gathered more steam as companies supplied branded raincoats, food, snacks, waters and non-alcoholic beverages to the protesters who observed a minute silence for lives lost to SARS and police brutality in Nigeria.

    The protest also continued in areas like Iyana Ipaja, Igando, Onikan, Oworonshoki, Ojodu-Berger, Amuwo Odofin, Ajegunle amongst others.

    In Amuwo Odofin, the protest was led by Arch Bishop Samson Mustapha of Resurrection Praise Ministries International (aka Jehovah Sharp Sharp).

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) advised Lagosians to stay home while the #SARSMUSTEND protests last or avoid certain routes if they must go out.

    LASTMA General Manager, Olajide Ojuyoye, who spoke on Channels, said: “The protesters are fluid. They can block any road at any time.

    “Do whatever you need to do by other means of communication.

    “You should avoid Muri Okunola, Alausa, Ozumba Mbadiwe. To access the Island, use the Third Mainland Bridge-Nnamdi Azikiwe-Eko Hotel route.

    “To return, go through Ojota-7up-Magodo and then walk. But as I said earlier, the protesters’ movements are fluid.”

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and commenced the orderly room trial of the policemen who harassed some female protesters in Surulere.

  • Rivers #EndSARS protesters dare Wike, assemble enmasse at government house

    Rivers #EndSARS protesters dare Wike, assemble enmasse at government house

    Sequel to Governor Nyesom Wike’s order banning the #EndSARS protests in Rivers State, defiant protesters on Tuesday took the protest to the governor’s office in Port Harcourt.

    The protesters started gathering in their numbers as earlier as at about 11.30 am, awaiting Wike to address them as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

    Some of the protesters drummed, sang and danced at the entrance of the Government House.

    Armed police officers barricaded the Government House and prevented entrance by the protesters.

    The protesters assembled at the Pleasure Park this morning, before they began the march through the Garden City to Government House.

  • Police deny shooting #EndSARS protesters in Ogbomoso

    Police deny shooting #EndSARS protesters in Ogbomoso

    The Police Command in Oyo State has debunked the reported shooting of EndSARS protesters in Ogbomoso by its personnel.

    According to reports, some youths had, on Saturday, stormed major streets in Ogbomoso to demand for the ban of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), an arm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). One of the protesters was said to have been shot by the police in the process.

    An eyewitness said the victim was shot in the leg by the police when the protesters reached Owode police station in Ogbomoso.

    The witness said that the man was shot, as the policemen were trying to ensure that the station was not attacked by the protesters.

    He added that the victim had been rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the town.

    However, the Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday, said that the police did not fire a single shot at any protester.
    Fadeyi said that the protesters were allowed to express their grievances for over one hour.

    “According to the information I gathered from the officers monitoring the protest, the police did not fire shot at anybody.

    “The protesters were allowed for over one hour to carry out their protest and express their grievances until when some of them wanted to forcefully enter the police station with a view to attacking it.

    “The police only fired teargas to disperse the protesters; they did not fire shot at anybody as widely reported,’’ Fadeyi said.