TheNewsGuru

Tag: Protest

  • Residents protest, burn down police station after SARS official allegedly kill undergraduate

    There was pandemonium on Thursday in Iwo town, Osun State as angry residents burn down a police station over the killing of an undergraduate allegedly by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS).

    According to a report by Premium Times, the victim, identified as Tunde Nafiu, was shot while he was trying to board a commercial motorcycle to Ile-Ogbo, a neighbouring community, at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.

    The victim was said to be a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Iree in Osun State.

    Consequent upon the shooting, residents gathered on Friday in protest, leading to the burning of the police station in the town.

    A witness said a stray bullet hit Nafiu when the SARS officers were shooting into the air.

    “At about 9:30 pm yesterday, there was a carnival along Ile-Ogbo area of Iwo,” said a witness who asked not to be named. “At that time, the SARS guys were trying to parade and they were obstructed as a result of the on-going carnival. Afterwards, the officers were able to pass but they saw people gyrating. That prompted the shooting from the security operatives.”

    Another resident, Iyanu Ajao, told this newspaper that the death of the young man led youth in the town to mobilise for a protest, today, against the unlawful killing, which then resulted in the razing of the police station.

    According to Dauda Ahmed, who also witnessed the protest, the incident was not the first as the police officers are reportedly fond of threatening residents by shooting.

    “This is not the first time. We need to show them that they can’t just behave anyhow. All these have to stop,” he said.

    The Press Secretary to the monarch of Iwo land, Ibrahim Ali, also confirmed the incident but could not give a detailed report on the killing.

    “We are discussing the issue with the king now,” he said. “I’ll get back to you later.”

    However, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Folashade Odoro, refused to comment on the issue. She said she was in the middle of a programme when contacted.

    There are reports that the police officer who fired the shot has been detained.

    The killing happened a week after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the Inspector General of Police to ensure the reformation of SARS in the police structure.

  • NANS threatens nationwide protest over lingering NOUN law students’ crisis

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a notice of mass actions over the protracted crisis between the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

    It said the crisis had hindered the law graduates of the university from admission into the Nigerian Law School for over five years.

    A statement by the National Vice President (External affairs) of the association, Taiwo Bamigbade, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said the protest would begin on August 27 and would be in two phases.

    Bamigbade said the association had earlier written a letter to notify President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday over the crisis.

    The student body had issued a three months ultimatum to the federal government on May 23 to admit the Law graduates from NOUN into the Nigerian Law School.

    The student apex body described as unfortunate that its three-month ultimatum to the federal government received no attention, despite the plight of NOUN law students for the past five years instead it continued with gimmicks.

    “Sequel to our petition dated 23rd May, 2018 in respect of the intimidations, injustices and inhumanity to man meted out to students that were offered admission and graduated in the faculty of law of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    “As stated previously, it amounts to fraud, deceit, discrimination and mischief against the Nigerian students and inhumanity to vulnerable citizens, especially the youths to formally admit, graduate and issue them deficient certificates after several years of study despite financial implication.

    “We will commence our mass actions with Phase-1 in the Federal Capital Territory from 27th to 31th August.

    “Consequently, we have decided that enough is enough and shall inevitably shut down the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against any public activities taking place in the period.

    Bamigbade stated that the phase one protest which would be a five-day mass action will take place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while phase two will take place on October 1.

    Recall that ‎the judgment of Justice Hilary Oshomah of the Federal High Court. Port-Harcourt, Rivers, on October 4, 2017, hands-off the matter to the academia to resolve.

    The bodies include the National Universities Commission (NUC), Council of Legal Education (CLE) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

    ‎However, the decision of the court did not go down well with the NOUN, Law Graduates Forum, who stated that the court unconsciously renounced its jurisdiction on all academic and students’ matters.

    The forum also frowned at the nonchalant attitude of the three academic bodies in resolving the misunderstanding despite the judgment‎.

    The letter was copied to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Others are: The Minister of Education; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; Director-General, Nigerian Law School and the Vice-Chancellor, NOUN. ‎

  • Biafra: IPOB women protest, demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    Biafra: IPOB women protest, demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    The police in Imo on Friday arrested some women protesting over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for allegedly conducting an unlawful assembly.

    Some of the women, mostly of middle age and from the Southeast states, were half nude, while others dressed in black and marched through the streets of Owerri.

    They disrupted vehicular movement and other activities in some parts of the town.

    The protesters chanted war songs and displayed different placards with inscriptions asking the federal government to release Mr Kanu.

    The women claimed that the security agencies knew the whereabouts of Mr Kanu who has been out of public view since he had an encounter with the military in Umuahia about one year ago.

    They asked Governor Rochas Okorocha to help them actualise their dream of a getting Biafra.

    The women later barricaded the popular Government House Roundabout and created a chaotic atmosphere around the area.

    One of their leaders, Ann Ibe said they came out in full force to fight for the actualisation of their dream.

    She said they were ready to die for the cause.

    When a special team of police officers sent by the Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, arrived at the scene, the protesters broke into a dance.

    Some of them pulled off their clothes and danced naked, while others lay on the ground and dared the police.

    The police succeeded in arresting some of the protesters in spite of their offering serious resistance.

    Commenting on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, said the women were arrested for conducting an illegal assembly and holding an unlawful protest.

  • PDP stage protest to NASS over alleged police attack on Fayose [Photos]

    PDP stage protest to NASS over alleged police attack on Fayose [Photos]

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Thursday staged a protest to the National Assembly, led by Uche Secondus, the party chairman.

    The protest was against the alleged attack on the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, yesterday at Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Recall that security operatives had on Wednesday blocked the entrance to the State’s Government House in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    The operatives had allegedly shot teargas canisters which affected Fayose.

    Commenting on the attack, Fayose had claimed that he was slapped by police officers.

    But, speaking during the protest, the PDP Chairman said he led the delegation to submit a petition to the lawmakers on the alleged action of the police.

    Secondus was accompanied by members and leaders of the PDP.

  • Killings: CAN cancels nationwide protest

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has postponed until further notice its planned public protest slated for July 11, 2018.

    It said it did so due to some circumstances beyond its control.

    CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle made the announcement in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji , his Special Assistant, Media and Communication.

    However, Ayokunle said the three-day prayer and fasting would hold as scheduled from July 9 to 11, 2018 in all churches and state chapters of CAN.

    He disclosed that the church and denominational leaders would come to the National Christian Centre together with the National Executive Committee (NEC), of CAN on the July 11 at 10am to pray to God for the nation.

    Recall that the leadership of CAN had declared July 9 to 11 as National Day of prayers and fasting programme against the killings across the country.

    The association also called on all Nigerians, both within and outside the country to take part in the programme.

    The association said the decision was hinged on the willful and persistent killings of fellow citizens in general and Christians in particular, mostly in Plateau and Benue states where mass burial has become the norm.

    ” CAN is worried, disturbed and disappointed that despite all the clarion calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-organise his security team by replacing all the security chiefs, he has consistently not responded to such calls,” the association said.

     

     

  • Killings: Again, CAN plans protest across Nigeria

    Killings: Again, CAN plans protest across Nigeria

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it is organising a three-day prayer and fasting to seek God’s intervention for an end to the growing rate of killings across the country.

    In a statement from the media assistant to the CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, the association said it will also embark on a peaceful protest across the country on July 11 to register its dissatisfaction with the spate of killings.

    “The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared July 9-11, 2018 as national days of prayers and fasting against unwarranted killings in the land and calls on all well-meaning Nigerians, both within and outside the country, to join Christians on 11 July, 2018 for a peaceful protest against the killings.

    “CAN’s decision is hinged on wilful and persistent killings of fellow citizens in general and Christians in particular nationwide and mostly in Plateau and Benue where mass burial has become the norm without any positive response from the country’s security agencies.”

    The statement also expressed what the association’s disappointment over the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the leadership of Nigeria’s security sector.

    “CAN is worried, disturbed and disappointed that despite all the clarion calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-organise his security team by replacing all the security chiefs, he has consistently turned a deaf ear to such calls. From all indications, the President seems to be satisfied with their poor performance and the attendant problems that have led to avoidable loss of lives and property.

    “We call on all Christians in the country and in the Diaspora to participate in the three-day prayers and fasting programme for God to end all the senseless, unwarranted, and selected killings in the country. If the government has failed us, we are very sure that Our God will never fail.

    “All National Executive Committee’s members of CAN, the Church and Denominational leaders have been invited to participate in a peaceful protest march to both the National Assembly and the State House to impress on the government to see the need to effectively stop the unprecedented killings.

    “CAN has also directed its leadership at the state and local government levels to organise the same Peaceful Protest March to the Government House and the Local government headquarters respectively on 11 July. We are to tell the government; enough is enough. We appeal to our members to be law-abiding before, during and after the protest.”

     

  • Protest turns sour: Protesters call for Saraki’s resignation

    The Citizens Actions to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) that thronged the entrance of the National Assembly (NASS) Complex protesting the adjustments made in the 2018 Appropriation Act by the Legislature has called on Senate President Bukola Saraki to resign.

    TheNewsGuru reports the protesters arrived in about 11 luxurious busses, popularly known as “El-rufai bus”, playing music and chanting songs, calling for the resignation of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki after their peaceful protest turned sour.

    The protesters carried placards which read: “Constituency projects is now corruption, it must stop”; “Nigerians are not represented in the sharing of the loot via constituency projects”; and “National Assembly not for armed runners,” among others.

    The security personnel in a bid to maintain law and order, shut the main gate to the complex, preventing the protesters from entering the premises while the group tried to force their way in.

    As a result, visitors and workers who were to resume their daily duties were also prevented from entering, forcing them to use alternative routes.

    The convener of the group, Mr Ibrahim Wala, said that the NASS no longer represents the people of Nigeria.

    He said that the many adjustments and introductions of several projects in to the 2018 Appropriation Act by the legislature necessitated the protest.

    Wala said that constituency projects should be implemented in all constituencies represented by each member of the NASS.

    He alleged that the members connived with contractors to collect the money and do not execute the projects that would have benefited citizens.

    According to him, since 2004 to date, constituency projects have been appropriated for but nothing has changed.

    “The worst of it is what we are seeing in the 2018 budget, these people inserted thousands of interns.

    “We are here representing the entire citizens of this country; the crowd you see here represents the voices of Nigerians.

    “Nigerians want a situation whereby when we vote individuals into office they should work with the people and not represent their own interests,” he said.

    He urged the security personnel at the gate not to deprive the people of their right to access the premises in peaceful protest.

    According to Wala, the group is made up of young women and men that are concerned with the cause of the nation.

    No member of the NASS was available to address the protesters who had been denied access into the premises.

    The NASS resumed on Tuesday, July 3, after a three-week recess.

     

  • Mayhem at NASS complex as Police fire teargas at CATBAN protesters [VIDEO]

    Mayhem at NASS complex as Police fire teargas at CATBAN protesters [VIDEO]

    The Police have gone violent on protesters as officers attached to the National Assembly on Tuesday shot teargas at citizens who are protesting at the National Assembly (NASS) complex.

     

    TheNewsGuru reports the citizens, under the umbrella body of Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) stormed the NASS complex on Tuesday morning wielding placards in protest.

    CATBAN protest in Abuja, demand to see legislators [Photos]

    They stormed the complex to protest what they describe as unnecessary budget cut of major projects in the 2018 Budget.

    The CATBAN protesters were demanding that the NASS gate be opened so they can see the legislators, before the Police officers shot teargas at them.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BkxKjnZH1MH/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

     

    Developing story…

     

  • CATBAN protest in Abuja, demand to see legislators [Photos]

    CATBAN protest in Abuja, demand to see legislators [Photos]

    Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) is presently holding a protest at the National Assembly over what they describe as unnecessary budget cut of major projects in the 2018 Budget.

    The #CATBANProtest is demanding that the NASS gate be opened so they can see the legislators.

     

    Details shortly…

     

  • Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that its personnel who blocked its Borno headquarters earlier Monday in Maiduguri, were not staging a protest, but “merely complaining” over the delay in payment of their special duty allowances.

    The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement claimed some of the police mobile force personnel on special duty only went to the command to enquire about the delay in the payment and not to protest.

    Moshood said the officers who went on enquiry were not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    He said they were those on the category of visiting PMF units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.

    “The force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today July 2,” he said.

    Moshood said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the Commissioner of Police in Borno to address why the delay in the payment of their special duty allowances.

    He also assured them that with the approval of the budget, the allowances would be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay.

    The spokesman said the IGP also ordered the Commissioner of PMF to proceed to Borno and other states in the North East where personnel are deployed on special duty.

    He said the commissioner should also inform them on efforts being made by the force to ensure timely payment of their allowances.

    “Members of the Public in Maiduguri, Borno are hereby enjoined not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organisation and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the Country,“he said.

    Earlier, mobile policemen in the Borno capital of Maiduguri staged a protest over non-payment of their allowances.

    The protesting officers barricaded their command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway.

    The protest disrupted traffic on the road.

    One of protesting policemen who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over the non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.

    “About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.

    “We have been serving at the command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.

    “We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu, blamed the non payment on the delay in the passage of the 2018 budget.

    He called on the protesting policemen to calm down and assured them that their allowances would be paid.