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Tag: Hoodlums

  • #EndSars: We will take firm steps to prevent anarchy in Nigeria – FG

    The Federal Government has warned that it will not allow the country to be thrown into anarchy following the violence that has trailed the #EndSARS protests.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Saturday when he featured on a late night Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) news programme, “Weekend File”

    In the course of the programme entitled, “EndSARS Protest: The Way Forward,” the minister said Saturday’s assassination attempt on the Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, while addressing the protesters was a clear confirmation that the protests had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior agenda.

    He noted that while the original conveners of the protests might have meant well, it was obvious that they were no longer in control of the initiative.

    “Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.

    “But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun state,it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.

    “There is no where in the world where a government will folds its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.

    “We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians,” he said.

    The minister added that the protests have gone beyond being peaceful because lives have been lost and innocent Nigerians, including workers and students, are passing through harrowing experiences.

    Specifically, he said because the protesters are blocking the roads and highway, workers are finding it difficult to get to their offices and back home while many Nigerians are stranded on the roads.

    “We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so.

    “This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons’ right begins,” he said.

    Mohammed said Nigerians should also see the protests as a smokescreen staged to undermine the administration and destabilise the country because all the demands by the protesters had been met by the government.

    He reiterated that after the government had responded and met all the demands of the protesters, they ought to have nothing doing on the streets.

    He recalled that the protesters on inception came with five demands including, that all arrested protesters should be released immediately and justice must be given to deceased victims of SARS including adequate compensation to be paid to their families.

    The minister said the protesters equally demanded that there should be an independent committee to oversee the investigations and prosecution of any members of SARS found guilty of extra judicial killings.

    He said they demanded that all personnel of the disbanded SARS must undergop psyhologicl and medical evaluation as well as retraining before they should be redeployed to other services of the Police.

    The protesters also demanded that the salary of the police should be increased in a manner that will be adequately compensate for protecting lives and property of citizens.

    In meeting the demands of the protesters, the minister said on Oct. 11, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) dissolved SARS accross the 36 states Police Command and the FCT.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari, on Oct. 12 addressed the nation, stating that the disbanding of SARS was a first step in the comprehensive reform of the police.

    Mohammed said that On Oct. 13, the IGP ordered all defunct SARS personnel to report at Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing as well as psychological and mental examinations.

    On the same day, the Presidential Panel on the Reform of SARS accepted the five-point demand of the protesters.

    He said the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President with the 36 state governors and FCT Minister as members met on Oct. 15 and directed the immediate establishment of state-based Judicial Panels of Enquiry across the country.

    The panels as directed by the Council are to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra-judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other Police units.

    The NEC also directed governors to immediately establish state-based special security and human rights committee to be chaired by the governor in each state.

    The governors are also to supervise the newly formed Police Tactical Unit and other security agencies located in states.

    The committee is to ensure protection of citizens’ human rights while members will include representatives of the youths, civil society groups and the head of the Police Tactical Unit in the state.

    The NEC also mandated every governor to take control and initiate dialogue with the protesters in their states and the FCT.

    The Council directed governors to set up a victim support fund so that those who have been victims of SARS brutality will be compensated.

    The minister stressed that with all the steps taken, the government has done more in meeting all the demands by the protesters.

    He appealed to Nigerians to be objective in assessing the situation and to see that what is going on is beyond peaceful protest but an attempt by some people to destabilise the country.

  • 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.

  • Just In: Hoodlums attack Lagos monarch

    Just In: Hoodlums attack Lagos monarch

    Suspected hoodlums and land grabbers on Sunday invaded Isiu palace in Ikorodu, Lagos State in a failed abduction of the newly installed monarch following sporadic gun shots at the premises.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oba Okukayode Raji was given staff of office by Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed, on Aug. 24, 2020.

    The monarch told NAN that the hoodlums came in dozens with dangerous weapons before the intervention of local vigilante groups that averted their plots and chased them away.

    “Suddenly, we started seeing strange faces and many boys coming closer to the palace with different weapons in their hands.

    “While they moved closer, they started shooting; one of my sons was wounded in the process.

    “My house, my car and many people who came to pay homage to me were also wounded.

    “More than 60 people were shot, those who sustained serious injuries have been taken to the hospital for treatment,” the monarch said.

    Oba Raji said he contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Area Commander for assistance.

    “They responded very late but later sent their officers to patrol the community.

    “However, three suspects have been arrested so far,” he said.

    The monarch, however, called on community leaders and indigenes to cooperate and solve land matters themselves to ensure absolute peace within the communities.

    He also urged the Lagos State Government to intervene to beef up security to curb reoccurrence.

  • Hoodlums attack Uzodinma’s convoy with pistol, machetes

    Hoodlums attack Uzodinma’s convoy with pistol, machetes

    The Police in Imo State have arrested 15 people who allegedly attacked the convoy of Governor Hope Uzodimma on Monday.

    He was on his way to the 34 Attilary Brigade, Obinze, to inaugurate an officers mess built by the state government when the incident occurred.

    The hoodlums, armed with guns and machetes, claimed to be staff members of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) protesting non-payment of salaries.

    The government said its position that most of the protests in the state were sponsored by the opposition had been vindicated.

    Commissioner of Police Isaac Akinmoyede said the suspects claimed they were ISOPADEC employees who were “owed three months’ salary”.

    He said they were arrested with one locally-made pistol, two machetes, a mask, a chain and a padlock.

    Akinmoyede said: “They attacked the vehicles in the convoy with a locally made pistol and machetes.”

    He said the incident, which occurred around Concord area of New Owerri, did not claim any life.

    “But in the process, windscreens of some of the vehicles in the convoy were smashed and the vehicles damaged,” he said.

    The Police chief said the suspects have been handed over to state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

    Commissioner of Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba said the fact that people claiming to be the staff of ISOPADEC could arm themselves with guns and matchets validated the state’s position that most of the protests were politically-motivated.

    The commissioner said the opposition, rattled by the public ovation that greeted the governor’s successful commissioning of new roads in Owerri last Friday, must have hired the thugs.

    “The opposition is smarting from the irredeemable shame the government’s successes is rubbing on their face.

    “They quickly thought of another protest to take the shine out off the increasingly unbeatable trajectory of Governor Uzodimma’s success stories. But, luck ran out of luck this time,” Emelumba said.

    He urged the police to unravel the real motive behind the action of the hoodlums and their sponsors.

  • Delta: Hoodlums in COVID-19 ravaged LGA beat, inflict injuries on task force team, police officials [Graphic Photos]

    Delta: Hoodlums in COVID-19 ravaged LGA beat, inflict injuries on task force team, police officials [Graphic Photos]

    There was pandemonium in Ughelli North Local Government Area, one of the coronavirus [COVID-19] ravaged LGAs in Delta State on Monday after COVID-19 task force team and some police officials were allegedly attacked by suspected youths from Otor-Ihwreko the host community to Ughelli main market in the local government area.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Ughelli North is one of the six LGAs identified as COVID-19 hotbeds in Delta. Others and their confirmed COVID-19 cases are; Oshimili South which comprises Asaba, Okwe and Oko area with 351 cases, Warri South has 161 cases, Uwvie has 145, Ughelli North has 122, Oshimili North 107 while Sapele has 100 cases in the state.

    According to reports, the hoodlums in their hundreds attacked the policemen and officials of COVID-19 task force while carrying out sensitization campaign on the uses of nose masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing precautions at recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to the market women.

    Eyewitness account said the youths emerged from the community’s shrine on sighting the officials of the COVID-19 task force and policemen from ‘A’ Division, Ughelli with dangerous weapons and heavily attacked the policemen and officials of COVID-19 Task Force of the council area.

    Two women sergeant from ‘A’ Division Ughelli were beaten to stupor and their uniforms were torn and half naked while alighting from the council’s NUGLE bus.

    The officials of the task force were not spared as many of them were left with various degree of injuries in their bodies.

    According to an eyewitness, an attempt to set the council bus ablaze was averted as the DPO ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, CSP Kevin Zuokumor sent police officers to rescue the police officers and officials of COVID-19 task force locked up in the market stalls.

    The youths in their warring song said the community will no longer fold their hands looking at government of Delta State killing their people with hunger, any attempt by the state government or anybody to impose stringent condition on their people will be resisted.

    “From henceforth, any attempt by Delta state government to further impose stringent conditions on our people will be highly resisted by superior power”.

    When contacted, the council boss, Hon. Goodwin Adode condemned the attack on the officials of the council and Nigeria policemen from ‘A’ Division Ughelli who are carrying out their lawful duty.

    Adode vowed that the perpetrators will not go unpunished adding that they will be arrested and made to face the law.

    “We will not condone it from anybody, the youths of Otor-Ihwreko that attacked policemen and officials of COVID-19 task force will face the law and brought to book” he threatened.

    Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) ‘A’ Division Ughelli, CSP Kevin Zoukumor has assured the council boss of getting the hoodlums arrested and prosecuted

  • Photos: Hoodlums break into, ransack Reps spokesman’s office

    Photos: Hoodlums break into, ransack Reps spokesman’s office

    Spokesman of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has raised the alarm over the safety of lawmakers at the National Assembly, saying the complex was no longer safe for them to work.

    The office of Rep. Kalu located on the first floor of the new House of Representatives complex was broken into by unknown persons, who ransacked the whole office.

    The incident left the place scattered while the door to the inner office was left unlocked.

    It is not yet clear the motives of those who broke into and whether anything was taken away from the office but Kalu said he has reported the incident to the Head of Security in the National Assembly.

    Kalu, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, expressed shock over the incident, saying it was evident that the National Assembly was no longer safe.

    He said: “It is actually surprising to see that somebody broke into my office. We are still trying to access what the intention was in breaking into the office.

    “Was it to take an important document out or to check if we left any valuable or money in the office or to plant any security or spying device inside my office? I don’t know the reason.

    “But I have asked my aides to register it with the Sergeant at Arms.

    “I am sure the police here will do their investigations because this is scary. It is a committee office and this is happenings.

    “This is one of the consequences of Covid 19 which made us not to sit everyday. When we were sitting everyday, we never experienced this. Hoodlums see this as an opportunity to break into people’s offices.

    “We can’t break it down right now whether it was for stealing or whether to spy on what the National Assembly is doing through my office.

    “Whatever it is, I am sure the Security agents will get to the root of it.”

    Asked if the National Assembly was no longer safe especially for lawmakers, he said: “Of course. There has been lots of motions to that effect and discussions have been ongoing for sometimes that the place is no longer as safe as it ought to be.

    “For my office to be broken into means that a lot. I don’t know how many offices have been broken into.

    “But as the spokesman of the House, I need to speak out so that people should know. The committees in charge of security need to up their game.

    “I am going to immediately get in touch with those in charge of that committee to see what they are doing about situation of this nature. It is actually shocking because we are not safe to do our job.”

  • Thugs invade Bayelsa warehouse, cart away bags of garri

    Thugs invade Bayelsa warehouse, cart away bags of garri

    Some alleged hoodlums have carried away bags of garri from the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency’s warehouse at Igbogene, Yenagoa, that are being distributed as relief materials to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Punch gathered that the boys moved over 150 bags of garri out of the warehouse and carted them away through a bush path.

    The state government had, on Thursday, commenced the distribution of the bags of garri to the three local government areas of Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw and Kolokuma/Opokuma in the first phase of the exercise under the supervision of the SEMA Chairman, Zedekiah Izu.

    Izu, who is also a member of the state’s COVID-19 Task Force chaired by Governor Douye Diri, had explained on Thursday that the staple was meant for the victims of the 2019 flood in the state but the National Emergency Management Agency delayed bringing it to the state.

    He said the governor directed that the bags of garri be distributed to the deprived to reduce the poverty being suffered by the people as a result of the lockdown imposed on the state to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    The pilfered bags of garri were said to be allocated to the Sagbama and Ekeremor local government areas.

    A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The boys came threatening to deal with anybody who tried to stop them from having their COVID-19 palliatives.”

    The incident was said to have caused pandemonium in the area and the warehouse was forced to be closed to prevent the looting of the remaining bags of garri.

     

     

  • Hoodlums gun down two policemen, civilian in Delta

    Hoodlums gun down two policemen, civilian in Delta

    Two mobile policemen were reportedly shot dead early hours of Wednesday by yet-to-be identified hoodlums in Ekete, Udu council area of Delta state.

    An unidentified civilian was also killed in the attack that reportedly saw a gun exchange between the late policemen and the gunmen.

    According to reports, the mobile police officers were attached to one Club 316 by Old Ekete Junction in the area.

    Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:30am.

    It was gathered that the armed men carted away riffles belonging to the policemen.

    Recall that early February, one Onovughe Jovi was waylaid, alongside the mother and shot dead by suspected assassins around the area.

    It will also be noted that insecurity in the council area has been on the rise for a long time, given series of reported cult clashes and robbery attacks perpetuated by unknown hoodlums.

    Efforts to get response from the Delta State Police Command proved futile as as the time of filing this report.

  • Hoodlums attack anti-Buhari protester Deji Adeyanju [Photos]

    Popular activist, Deji Adeyanju and other Nigerians demanding the release of Omoyele Sowore and others in detention were attacked in Abuja on Monday.

    The protesters, led by Deji Adeyanju were at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to demand the release of Sowore, Jalingo and others held up in various detention camps in the country.

    The protest reportedly took a new turn when another group arrived at the venue declaring support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    This group, minutes after their arrival moved towards the anti-government protesters seizing their placards and pushing them away.

    Adeyanju was attacked in the process and sustained some injuries.

    See photos below:

    Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has condemned the attack on Adeyanju.

    Reacting in a statement on his official Twitter handle-@officialKolaO, the PDP spokesman said:

    “The attack on @adeyanjudeji by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by the FG is barbaric, unfortunate and stands condemned in the strongest term possible.

    “We demand that the Nigerian police swings into investigation and bring the culprits to book.”

  • Hoodlums attack Zamfara APC secretariat, destroy property

    Hoodlums attack Zamfara APC secretariat, destroy property

    Unknown persons, suspected to be hoodlums, have allegedly attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat in Zamfara and destroyed property worth million of Naira including billboards, posters and windows.
    Briefing newsman on Wednesday in Gusau, Abdullahi Tsafe, the Chairman of the Security Committee of the party, said that the attacks were carried out on Monday and Tuesday.
    Tsafe, who is a retired Commissioner of Police, said that apart from the state Secretariat at the bypass Gusau, the Central Zonal office of the party and other offices across the state were also attacked.
    He decried the action and said that the party had since alerted the police over the matter.
    “I believe they must have acted on it by now”.
    “If our members reacted to that it would create problem, but APC as law abiding political party, we always caution our members to be law abiding and shun political violence,” he said.
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Muhammad Shehu confirmed the incident to newsmen.
    Shehu said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Nagogo had already visited the scenes of the incident.
    “The command has already commenced investigation on the matter and promised to deal with any body found wanting on the matter,” he added.
    The command’s spokesman said that in spite of the efforts of the police to maintain law and order in the state, some people were hellbent on causing trouble in the state.