They are called 'YOUTHS'
#endsars
#endpolicebrutality
#endbadgovernance
#endsars Protest: IPOB Denies Involvement In Ebonyi Rifle-Snatching
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPO has denied involvement in alleged snatching of guns in Ebonyi State. It described the allegation by the Ebonyi State Police Command that its members snatched two AK-47 from Area Commander as unfounded and a total falsehood.
Checks by Orient Weekend reveals that a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Wednesday remanded four persons for their alleged involvement in the attack on the acting area commander of the Ohaukwu police command and snatching rifles of police constables in the community.
The suspects, Okochukwu Onwe, Onyedikachi Onwe, Chinonso Agbo, and Alieze Uchenna, allegedly snatched two police rifles during the attack after a security meeting at the Ohaukwu council headquarters, Ezzamgbo.
They were later arrested by police operatives in conjunction with vigilante members and had long been cooling off at the headquarters of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki, until their arraignment on Wednesday.
“The hoodlums disguised as if they wanted to make a complaint to the area commander and used the opportunity to gain access to him. They attacked him, collected his gun and fled the scene,” a source said.
The police had claimed that the suspects were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday on five counts of armed robbery, felony and attempt to commit murder. The police prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Mbam, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a); 320 (a); 402 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2010. Their defense counsel, F.M. Nwebo, applied to the court to grant them bail.
But Mbam opposed the application on the grounds that the victims’ were still laying critically ill at the hospital.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.I. Chukwu, said that the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter and directed that the suspects be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, and their case file forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for necessary decision.
Reacting to the development, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the allegation that the suspects were members of the pro-Biafra group was another fabrication by the police to disrepute the pro-Biafran body.
“The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPO ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to state clearly that we know nothing about the alleged snatching of guns in Ebonyi State. The allegation by the Ebonyi State Police Commissioner that our members snatched two AK-47 from Area Commander is unfounded and a total falsehood.
“This is another fabrication by the police in their usual characteristics of propaganda and blackmail to disrepute IPOB. We dissociate from the alleged attack as we knew nothing about it.
“We have always made it known that our philosophy for Biafra actualization is nonviolent, but any day we want to change that approach we shall make it known. If we want to go into arms struggle we know where to go and source for arms. We won’t defend Biafra with stolen guns from the Nigeria Police. So, linking IPOB with stolen guns in Ebonyi cannot fly. It’s a blatant lie.
The group also accused police of orchestrated harassment and intimidation of its members and Ebonyi indigenes since the beginning of the ongoing #endsars protest, warning that such acts should stop.
“We, therefore call on the Police hierarchy in Ebonyi state as well as Gov. Dave Umahi, to immediately halt all the harassment and intimidation of our members and Ebonyi indigenes since the beginning of the ongoing #endsars protest. The security agents have been abducting the youths and tagging them armed robbers.
“We are particularly upset by the recent arrest of innocent and Peaceful IPOB members and tagging them armed robbers by Dave Umahi and Police Commissioner in Ebonyi state.
“IPOB members are not armed robbers and do not indulge in arms struggle right from inception. On Friday of October 2020, the Nigeria Police and Ngbo Central Security Vigilante arrested Mazi Alieze Uchenna, Mazi Agbo Chinonso, Mazi Onwe Okechukwu and Onwe Onyekachi and forced them to admit to allegations of being robbers. They were subsequently charged for robbery. “This continued illegal abduction and kidnapping of innocent people in our land must stop. The Nigeria government and her security operatives should stop testing our will.
“We therefore, call on Ebonyi State Governor Eng.Dave Umahi and his counterparts in the South East and South South to release Biafra agitators arrested in their respective states without hesitation.
“We also call on the UK high Commission in Nigeria, Amnesty International in Nigeria, UK, US Embassy in Abuja, UNDP in Nigeria and other countries high commissions and embassies in Nigeria to prevail on Nigeria Government and these governors to release our people abducted illegally before it becomes too late.”
#orientdailynews #endsars
Strike: FG, ASUU Disagree On Payment Platform
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities deadlocked again on Wednesday, following the disagreement over the payment platform that would be used in disbursing the salary arrears and the N 30 billion Earned Allowance of the university lecturers .
The FG team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment , Chris Ngige , had offered to pay the salary arrears and the N 30 billion Earned Allowances of the university lecturers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System platform pending the roll - out of ASUU ’ s preferred platform , the University Transparency and Accountability Solution .
But the ASUU delegation led by its National President , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, reportedly insisted that the university lect would not enrol on the government salary platform .
The spokesman , Ministry of Labour and Employment , Mr Charles Akpan , explained that the meeting adjourned till Monday to enable the union leaders to get across to their members on the mode of payment.
The parley is expected to reconvene on Monday to decide on the platform for the disbursement of the funds pledged by the FG .
Among other things, the government had agreed to pay N 40 billion , being the pending Earned Academic Allowance of the university teachers overdue since November 2019.
Out of the amount , N 30 billion would be paid on or before November 6, while the remaining N 10 billion would be spread equally over two tranches to be paid in May 2021 and February 2022.
The two parties equally agreed to the planned release of N 30 billion for the revitalisation of the education sector.
The government offered to pay N 20 billion as funding for the revitalization of public universities, by January 2021, as well as, seek sources of alternative and additional funding for the university system, among other conclusions.
Horror in Ikotun as police kill 5 looters, arrest scores
Pandemonium broke in Ikotun, Alimosho area of Lagos State following the killing of about five hoodlums who were shot dead by Mobile Police, Mopol, after attacking a popular supermarket and looted various items in the process.
Earlier, a Mopol officer and another person believed to be a police informant were allegedly killed by hoodlums in Idimu-Ikotun road, Egbe-Idimu Alimosho Local Council Development Area, LCDA.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Ayo Akinwale, “At about 2 pm some hoodlums who invaded Ikotun Police Station but found no policeman on ground proceeded to a nearby supermarket, called Twins Faja and looted various items such as computers, households items, wristwatches, foodstuff, among other expensive items.
“While the looters were still operating, a team of Mobile Policemen who arrived the scene following a distress call, started shooting at the looters killing at least five persons, while several others were arrested with various gunshot wounds.
“The bodies and those arrested were later taken away in the police vans to an unknown destination.”
When Vanguard visited the crime scene, the shattered glasses and other looted items which could not be taken away littered the ground.
It was also gathered that earlier, a mob had lynched a Mopol while walking along the road in College area of Ikotun, while another unidentified man believed to be police informant was also beaten to death in the presence of his infant daughter while having a stroll.
“Some of the hoodlums who recognised him as police informant raised the alarm before others descended on him and beat him to death in the presence of his daughter, about 7 years old.
“The body of the deceased was later recovered by the Mopol who have been patrolling this area,” Akinwale narrated.
Amid the curfew and following the ugly incidents the entire area was like a ghost town as the road was totally deserted with several Mopol in their vans seen patrolling the area at the time of filing this report, 6.30 pm.
#vanguard
Falz To CNN: I Am Not Afraid To Die, Buhari’s Promise Frustrating
Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, singer, actor and activist, has said Buhari’s promise to reform the police was infuriating and frustrating as his administration had been making the same promise of reform since 2017.
He said this in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, when a short clip of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Thursday’s speech was played.
In the clip, Buhari said SARS was scrapped in response to the #EndSARS campaigners’ demands and extensive police reforms were underway.
When Amanpour then asked him how much stock he puts in Buhari’s pledges, Falz, who had been shaking his head cynically as the clip played, said: “It’s infuriating, annoying and frustrating. And I think that’s how everyone is feeling right now.
“They have been reforming the police for a long time and we have never seen actual action. They announced that SARS had been disbanded in 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2020.
“They just think we are stupid. It is insensitive.”
‘I am not afraid of dying’
When Amanpour asked him if he wasn’t scared, as many young people refused to appear on camera, Falz said he was not afraid for his life, as the Nigerian situation has made death a commonplace occurrence.
Falz told Amanpour: “I am not afraid for my life because where we are right now, I feel like I can easily die by anything else anyway.
“We have a non-existent healthcare system, for example. We have a seriously high level of poverty; there is unemployment.
“We are in a critical state because of the level of corruption and mismanagement of funds that we continue to see on a daily basis.
“I can have an accident on my way to work and die because the state of healthcare is nothing to write home about. People have to travel abroad to have proper healthcare.
“We keep on saying that every single Nigerian is one sickness away from passing away.
“So what kind of life am I living any way? Why should I be afraid of dying? I am going to die anyway, so what is the point?” Falz asked Amanpour.
#EndSARS #vanguard
EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Lists Names Of Police Officers Currently Being Prosecuted
Good morning Lagos,
Today seems like a good day to get on to the work of rebuilding Lagos and ending police brutality.
To show our commitment to the latter, here is a list of ongoing prosecution of police officers for offences related to the violation of human rights in Lagos.
1. State of Lagos v. 1. Insp. Surulere Irede 2. Sgt. Sunday Ogunyemi 3. Corp. Hezekiah Babatunde - Manslaughter. Adjourned to 13/11/2020. Justice Ogunsanya
2. State of Lagos v. Ogunyemi Olalekan - Murder. Adjourned to 5/11/2020. Hon Justice Coker.
3. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Gbanwuan Isaac - Grievous Bodily Harm. Set for arraignment. Justice Sholadoye.
4. State of Lagos v. Aminu Joseph - Murder. Adjournment date to be announced. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.
5. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Alechenu Benedict - Armed Robbery. Arraigned. Hon Justice Coker.
6. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Adebayo Abdullah - Involuntary Manslaughter. Adjourned to 28/11/2020. Hon Justice Coker.
7. State of Lagos v. Insp. A Mohammed and 2 ORS - Armed Robbery. Adjourned to 10/11/2020. Hon Justice Sonaike.
8. State of Lagos v. Matthew Ohansi - Murder. Adjourned to 19/11/2020
9. State of Lagos v. 1. Sgt. Segun Okun 2. Capt. Adekunle Oluwarotimi - Manslaughter and Attempted Murder. Last adjournment date 15/7/2020, Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.
10. State of Lagos v. Adamu Dare - Murder. Last adjournment date 29/09/2020, Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay
11. State of Lagos v. Sgt. Mark Argo and 5 ORS - Conspiracy and Armed Robbery. Next adjournment date 18/11/2020. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.
12. State of Lagos v. Corp. Pepple Boma - Manslaughter. Court to give next date. Hon Justice Nicole Clay.
13. State of Lagos v. Insp. Emmanuel Akpobana - Attempted Murder. Court to give ruling date. Hon Justice Balogun.
14. State of Lagos v. Emmanuel Uyankweke - Involuntary Manslaughter. Case part held. Hon Justice Akintoye.
15. State of Lagos v. Akanbi Lukmon - Involuntary Manslaughter. Information filed.
16. State of Lagos v. Edokhe Omokhide - Murder. Adjourned to 12/11/2020. Hon Justice Akinkigbe
17. State of Lagos v. Afolabi Saka - Murder. Newly filed.
18. State of Lagos v. Monday Gabriel - Murder. Newly filed.
19. State of Lagos v. Yahya Adeshina. Involuntary Manslaughter. Ready for filing.
20. State of Lagos v. Aremu Museliu - Murder. Ready for arraignment. Hon Justice Shonaike
Ban tomato importation – Dangote tells FG
The Managing Director of Dangote Tomato Processing plant in Kadawa, Kano State, Abdulkarim Kaita has on Thursday called on the Federal government to ban importation of tomato paste like it ban rice importation into the country.
This was as he decried importation of tomato paste which he said was still thriving as the commodity was being imported from Cameroon and Cotonour in Benin Republic.
Kaita made the call while flagging off the distribution of tomato seedlings to 5,000 farmers under the Anchor Borrower of Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday at Kadawa village in Kura LGA of the state.
The MD also dropped hint that plans are underway by the company to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient and positioned to export tomato by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.
According to him, “We are appealing to the Federal Government to put a total ban on the importation of tomato like what it did to rice.
“The ban is necessary so as to boost local production of the commodity and ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production.
“the ban on the importation of tomato paste would lead to the establishment of more tomato processing plants thereby creating job opportunities for many people in the country.
“The company had on several occasions visited the Customs Headquarters and met with the Controller General with a view to lodging complaint over the issue but nothing was done to check the ugly trend.
“It is only by putting a total ban on tomato importation that the government can encourage farmers to grow the commodity for the country to be self sufficient.
“The company was working with the Central bank of Nigeria under the anchor Borrower programme to provide tomato farmers with high yield seeds which will enable them to produce a minimum of 40 tons per hectare.
“Similarly, the company is putting a lot of effort to ensure that Nigeria is self sufficient in tomato production by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa which has the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.
“There are 12 major tomato producing states in the country which if fully cultivated, in the next one year, Nigeria will be able to start exporting tomato.
“The greenhouse which is the largest in Africa, is established to provide tomato growers with high yield tomato seedlings in the country,” Kaita said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Kano State chapter, Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, Sani Danladi-Yadakwari commended the Federal Government for including tomato value chain in the anchor borrower programme noting that it would go a long way in boosting tomato production in the country.
Some of the items benefitted by the tomato growers include seedlings, fertilizer, water pump and other inputs.
#vangaurd
Governor Ugwuanyi Condemns Acts Of Violence And Criminality In Enugu.
#EndSARS protests:
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi addresses Ndi Enugu
*Sympathizes with victims of protests
*Condemns acts of violence and criminality in the state
*Appeals most passionately to youths of Enugu involved in the mayhem to have a rethink, pull back and allow measures instituted to address our collective pains to play out.
Watch the video clip