Enugu govt lifts 24-hour curfew in Enugu metropolis effective from 7am on Sunday, October 25 and Announces 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily until further notice

The Enugu State Government has announced an adjustment on the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas of the state.

According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the adjustment was following the hardship occasioned by the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu metropolis in the face of the #endsars protests.

Consequently, Aroh stated that “the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas stands lifted with effect from 7am on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020”.

He added that “in its place, a 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily, is imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, with effect from 6pm on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020 until further notice”.

While disclosing that “the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command and other Security Agencies are hereby directed to ensure full compliance with this order” the Information Commissioner pointed out that “persons involved in delivery of essential services such as Health Care Workers, staff of Water Corporation, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Fire service, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, etc, shall continue to attend to their duties”.

Full text of the statement reads as follows:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Following the hardship occasioned by the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas in the face of the #endsarsprotests, Enugu State Government hereby rejigs the curfew as follows:

1. The 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas stands lifted with effect from 7am on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020.

2. In its place, a 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily, is imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, with effect from 6pm on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020 until further notice.

3. Persons involved in delivery of essential services such as Health Care Workers, staff of Water Corporation, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Fire service, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, etc. shall continue to attend to their duties.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command and other Security Agenciesare hereby directed to ensure full compliance with this order.

Dated this 24th day of October, 2020

Nnayelugo Chidi Aroh
Hon. Commissioner for information

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

EndSARS Protest: We Feel Abandoned – Police Officers

While millions of Nigerians have been wondering why hoodlums have been given a free reign to run riot over Lagos, Ilorin, Jos and many other cities without being checked by policemen, some senior serving officers have explained that most of them are reluctant to intervene following the widespread bashing from the same people they have been trying to protect in the past.

His revelation has shed light on the fact that despite the order of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for the deployment of Mobile Anti-riot units across the country – on the strength of the widespread destruction his order has largely been ignored.

However, clearly disturbed by the continued looting, Adamu yesterday gave fresh or- ders to the police hierarchy to reclaim the “public space’ and restore normalcy across the country.

However, one of the officers who will undoubtedly be one of those saddled with the responsibility of enforcing this latest directive and who spoke to Sunday Telegraph on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, also said that the #endsars protest has introduced a new dimension to policing in Nigeria. He said: “It is clear that people do not like an average policeman.

The general condemnation is overwhelming and not encouraging. You attack his wife and children. Those who live outside the police facilities were traced to their houses and maimed.”

Explaining the main duty of the policeman and his role in the society, the officer said: “You are making peace for the people and not for yourself, you ask yourself what is at stake for you, when the people you are doing it for do not value your life. “It is total abandonment.

Your employer abandons you, the people you are supposed to be safe guarding abandons you when it matters most. “While everyone visits victims of the protests which turned violent, how many policemen who sustained injuries were visited?

“Policemen are the most vilified in the society, while we celebrate criminals who are now roaming the streets with guns. What have the police done to warrant such condemnation and revulsion?

“A mobile policeman was going to work he was hacked to death all due to hatred. It is only a madman that will fight for a man who does not value your life. Let everyone become a policeman and let them safeguard their community!”

Another source also explained that the IG’s admonition that the police officer should show restraint by not shooting indiscriminately further compounded things.

“The hoodlums were aware that they (police) had been instructed not to shoot anyhow and this emboldened them to do what they did.

“The honest truth is that considering the situation on ground it would have been hard for the policemen not to be trigger happy especially with threats to their lives.

“If the order hadn’t been given they would have shot which would have led to a lot of casualties so rather than be put in a situation where the person in question would have to start answering questions as to why he fired, they opted not to show up,” explained the source.

#nairaland

Tinubu's Full Statement On Lekki Shooting

THE #endsars PROTESTS; A FUNDAMENTAL LESSON IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

I heavily grieve for those who have lost their lives or been injured during the period of these protests.

2. My deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones for none should have been made to pay such a dear price. My career as an active politician spans nearly three decades.

3. In that time, I have seen many things as Nigeria has struggled, sometimes against itself, to undertake the often painful yet inexorable push toward democratic government accountable to, and protective of, the people.

4. Here, let me directly address the sharp point aimed against me. I have been falsely accused of ordering the reported deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters that took place at Lekki on 20 October 2020.

5. This allegation is a complete and terrible lie. I did not order this or any assault against anybody. I would never want such a vile thing to happen nor did I have any prior knowledge about this sad event.

6. It is my firm belief that no one should be harassed, injured or possibly killed for doing what they have the constitutional right to do in making their contribution to a better, more equitable society.

7. As a political figure, I am accustomed to people attributing to me all manner of indiscretions of which I have no knowledge and in which I played no role. I have usually ignored such falsities as the cost of being in the public eye.

8. This time, it is different. The allegation now levied against me is that I called on soldiers to kill my own people. This allegation is the foulest of lies.

9. The use of strong force against any peaceful protesters is indefensible, completely outside the norms of a democratic society and progressive political culture to which I aspire and have devoted my public life.

10. That people were angered by the reports of violence and death is acutely understandable.
Understandably outraged, people sought to hold someone accountable.

11. For various reasons, I became the most available scapegoat. Some people don't like me because they believe the false rumours uttered about me over the years. Some maligned my name because they hide ulterior motives & harbour unrequited political scores they intend to settle

12. A week ago, such people tried to bring enmity between me and the state and federal governments by contending I was sponsoring the protests.

13. When that did not work, they then sought to sow enmity between me and the people by saying I ordered soldiers to quash the very same protests they first accused me of organising.

14. My opponents have every right to oppose me politically but let them have the courage to do so in the open, above board and to employ facts not evil fiction in their efforts against me.

15. They have no right to slander and defame anyone with the terrible and vile fabrications now cast at my feet.

16. Those who have decided to hate me will hate me regardless of the truth. Again, they have the right to think as they may and I am not troubled by their unfounded animus. Today, I speak not to them. I leave them to the workings of their own conscience.

17. The slander aimed at me is based on the untruth that I own the toll gate concession. The hate mongers prevaricate that I ordered the Lekki assault because the protests had caused me to lose money due to the interruption of toll gate activity.

18. I ask people to thoroughly investigate the matter of my alleged ownership of the toll gate. By seeking facts, instead of being swayed by gossip, you will find I have no ownership interest or involvement in the toll gate.

19. At bottom, the toll gate is a public asset. If it is reopened, revenues should be donated to the confirmed victims of the Lekki attack as well as to other identifiable victims of police brutality in Lagos.

20. Let government use the money to compensate and take care of those who have lost life or limb in the struggle for all citizens to go about the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of life without fear of undue harassment at this or that checkpoint.

21. On the other hand, I am, indeed, a promoter and financial investor in The Nation and TVC. It was widely known and circulated through social media that certain malevolent elements were going to take advantage of the situation to attack the Nation newspaper facilities & TVC.

22. These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents, wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed.

23. There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the toll gate where I have no financial interest, yet, choose to do nothing to protect my investments in the Nation and TVC.

24. The good and creative people of Lagos have worked hard over the years to build it into the dynamic economic and cultural focal point it has become. Lagos has enjoyed over two decades of sustained, uninterrupted growth.

#nairaland

#endsars Protests: Lagos will need N1trn for reconstruction — Gbajabiamila

Aftermath of wanton destruction of lives and properties during #endsars protests, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that Lagos State required a minimum of N1 Trillion to reconstruct the wilful extensive damage of properties across the metropolis.

This happened as South West Governors have alleged that there were some elements keenly anxious to annihilate the South West and destroy it common heritage.

Also, the Ministers from South West condemned the violence, saying proper investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the violence and prevent future occurrence.

They spoke during a commiseration and solidarity visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Marina, after an the spot assessment of some structures burnt by hoodlums who hijacked the #endsars protests last Wednesday and Thursday in Lagos Island.

Gbajabiamila, with some South West Governors such as: Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, and Lagos States’, Kayode Fayemi, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, Seyi Makinde, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively, with Ministers from south west such as: Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Mines and industries, Olamilekan Adegbite; Niyi Adebayo, Trade and Investments; and Olorunnibe Mamora, Health, state.

Also the deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr Femi Hamzat, and Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Apata, were in attendance.

The team visited the burnt Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, building, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, located in CMS, and the popular Lekki Toll Gate, Admiralty Circle.

Gbajabiamila, speaking with state house correspondents, said,” We stand in solidarity with Lagos state government and the people of the state This is indeed a difficult period. This is not Lagos of our dream. Its indeed very sad.

“I don’t want to take ethnic dimension but I urge us to shut our ears to ethnic conspiracy theory. Nation building is a joint task.”

While commending the northerners from not joining in the violent protests, Gbajabiamila said, “I don’t know where Nigeria will be standing today if the north had been a part of this. that’s why I commend by brothers and sisters from the north.

“The House of Representatives will do all it can to compensate all those who suffered brutality including policemen that lost their lives in the process.

“Also whatever the house can do in rebuilding Lagos and other states it will do. We are now in a state of reconstruction. What must be done will be done.

“You have fought a good fight, government, National Assembly have listened. Its time to take stock and ensure it never happened again. What has happened has happened.

“However, we want to know what exactly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate. The judicial panel must reveal this. However, I want to encourage Nigerians to allow peace to reign.

“I learnt from the governor of Lagos State that it will take N1 Trillion to rebuild what had been lost and asked him whats the budget size of the state he said about N1,Trillion. You can see we are moving backward.

“Hence, we must consider the consequences of our actions before embarking on any venture. I therefore, appeal to the youths to allow peace to reign henceforth. I still believe in unity of Nigeria.”

Also in his address, Chairman of the South West Governors, Akeredolu stated, “We are indeed surprised at the extent of damage to lives and properties in Lagos. We will be right to say Lagos was turned into a war zone because what led to this we can.

“We commiserate with the families of victims of violence and slain policemen. We pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

”We note with pain and sadness which had spread across our society coming at the heels of vast destruction of properties belonging to the state and notable individuals.

“We commiserate with Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu I, with the level of sacrilege committed on the palace. We also condemn in no mistaken terms the vile attack on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and destruction of businesses where he has interest.

“This regression into savagery exposes our land as not only vulnerable, but susceptible to vile manipulations by elements keenly anxious to annihilate the South West and destroy our common heritage. This must be condemned and we condemn it.

“We are deeply concerned with the ease with which public buildings, utilities, police stations and Investment of our people have been burnt despite the proximity of security agencies In those areas.

“We call on the heads of all security agencies to be alive to their obligations to defend the country. We charge the relevant security agencies to investigate all cases of violence with a view to identifying the culprits.

“We are particularly worried that 48 hours, after the unfortunate incident at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos by persons in military camouflage there has been no definitive statement from the military authorities on the Incident

“Our anxiety becomes heightened by the categorical denial of the Governor of Lagos State concerning the deployment. No Governor has power to authorize deployment of military personnel in Nigeria.

“We note, with great relief, the confirmation by the Governor that no fatality was recorded at the Lekki Toll Gate incident based on visits to hospitals, mortuaries, both private and public. There were no doubt different levels of injury to persons arising from the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“Consequently, we insist that full investigation be conducted to ascertain the veracity of the news items liberalIy circulated by some local media.

“It is becoming very clear that the conflagration may have been caused by deliberate deployment of weapon of mass confusion” apology to Dr. Ope Banwo. The attendant damage was extensive and massive.

“The selective application of jungle justice raises suspicion as regards the real motive of the arsonists and vandals.

“We use this medium to appeal to the youth, especially those of South West extraction, to be circumspect lest they lend themselves to the evil schemes of those who want to destroy our land.

“The protests started off as genuine, demanding reforms and restitution. The current happenings across the South West, especially Lagos State, have exposed dubiousness and complicity evidencing malice.

“We enjoin our youths to rise up to defend our land and people against the diabolical incursions ravaging our space.

“What do we stand to gain destroying ourselves. We cannot continue to fold Our hands and watch our heritage destroyed and our people suffer.

“We must engage, constructively, all those whose dubious solutions to a social problem is athe descent to anarchy. We appeal to them to ‘CALM DOWN’.

According to Fashola, “We were instructed by the President and Federal Government to express our deep sympathy to the government and people of Lagos State over the tragic events that have played out in the last few days.

“Though, words can not describe the level of lives destroyed and properties. However, we are sure all will be well for this to happen.

“We urge for peace and calm. We urge Nigerians from walks of life, be it Igbo, Hausa to do their businesses without any fear.

“We should therefore, refrain from provocative statements because some people are trying to set us against one another but they will not succeed.”

Earlier, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Kazeem Alogba has said that all exhibits and files tendered for various cases in the Lagos State High Court are safe and not destroyed when miscreants set the court on fire.

Alogba, revealed this on Sunday, when he received some South West Governors and Ministers who stopped over to have on the spot assessment of the court during a tour of structures burnt by hoodlums who hijacked the #endsars protests last Wednesday and Thursday.

Also, while responding to the total number of government’s buildings burnt among others, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso told Vanguard, “We are still counting. The state is still taking inventories of all that happened and not until all that is concluded we can’t not ascertained for now the total number of burnt structures. But I can’t tell you its very huge.

#vanguard

Anthony Okechukwu: Mother Whose Son Died In The Lekki Shootings Speaks

A woman whose son died in the Lekki shootings has spoken up to counter the claims that no one died.

Shortly after peaceful protesters were shot at on October 20, 2020, pictures started flying around of a young man named Anthony Okechukwu, who died in the shootings.

Anthony's mother, who lives outside Nigeria, has now spoken out. She said she found out about her son's death online when she saw his photo being circulated.

She added that no one from the government has called to commiserate with her on her son's death

Watch video here.

#nairaland

Protests: Buhari Despatches Cabinet Members To Home States


President Muhammadu Buhari has asked his ministers to relocate to their home states for the purpose of dousing the tension created by the #endsars protests and the lawlessness that followed.

The ministers are scheduled to meet with stakeholders to explain federal government’s efforts to meet the demands of the youths.

Water Resources Minister Sulaiman Adamu, who confirmed the development during a courtesy call to Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State in Dutse, said the cabinet members were directed to “go to our states to solicit the support of political, traditional, religious and community leaders against the violence that emanated from # EndSARS protests.”

Adamu said he was therefore in the state to meet with leaders on “promoting tolerance, peace and stability in this critical moment and hear from them and report back to him (Buhari) immediately.”.

He acknowledged that the #endsars protests started well and was in line with the Nigerian constitution only to be hijacked along the line by those who infringed on the rights of other citizens, killed innocent persons, looted and engaged in other criminal acts.

He said: “President Muhammad Buhari is soliciting the support of all other political leaders in the state to properly address the people of the state on the need to dispel any rumour that is tantamount to creating disunity among Nigerians and also throw the nation into crisis.”

Akpabio leads FG peace mission to A’Ibom
Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio who is on a similar mission to Akwa Ibom landed in Uyo on Saturday accompanied by other federal appointees from the state, including Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang.

He urged youths of the state to embrace peace as President Buhari is committed to meeting their demands with regard to police reforms.

Akpabio said government was doing a lot in terms of job creation and development of key economic infrastructure in the state and the Niger Delta region.

He asked youths of the state to take advantage of social and economic job intervention programmes of the FG, adding that the Buhari administration is desirous of combating poverty and unemployment in the country.

Akpabio said the EndSARS protest was capable of scaring away existing and expected investors with the negative economic effects on the state and the region.

He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel and other governors for setting up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to address the concerns of victims of SARS brutality, adding that the Federal Government was ready to work with governors to achieve justice for victims.

The minister urged all those who have lost their properties in the Thursday carnage to channel their petitions to the judicial commission of enquiry.

Also speaking, Senator Ita Enang condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property by miscreants under the guise of EndSARS.

#thenation

Samsung Owner, Lee Kun-hee, Dies At 78

Lee Kun-hee of Samsung diedYesterday at 78. Mr Lee who built Samsung into a global giant of smartphones, televisions and computer chips but was twice convicted - and twice pardoned- for white collar crimes committed along the way, died on Sunday in Seoul, the South Korean Capital. New York Times.

Lee Kun-hee of Samsung Dies at 78; Built an Electronics Titan

Mr. Lee was convicted — and pardoned — twice for white-collar crimes, in a sign of the ills in South Korea’s relationship with its business dynasties


Samsung announced the death but did not specify the cause. Mr. Lee had been incapacitated since a heart attack in 2014.

#endsars: What Obasanjo Told Buhari At Virtual Meeting - Fani-kayode Reveals

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has commended ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo for telling President Muhammadu Buhari the truth during a meeting on Friday.

Recall that Buhari had met with former leaders of Nigeria including Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday over the tension in the country.

Giving details in a tweet on Saturday, Fani-Kayode accused Buhari of telling former leaders that #end SARS protesters were turning violent across the country:

Glad that OBJ told Buhari the bitter truth at their meeting after he claimed that the protests were turning violent. OBJ countered by telling him that the protests were peaceful until sponsored and violent thugs and hoodlums turned on the protesters and started attacking them.

#endsars

Americans React To Arrest Of Soldier, Harrison Friday Who Supported Protesters

The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday it had arrested one of its soldiers accused of encouraging his fellow troops not to fire on anti-police protesters, who have led a violent movement against Nigeria’s security forces in recent weeks.

“The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of Lance Corporal Harrison Friday who had gone on social media to advise his colleagues not to attack #endsars protesters,” Punch , a Nigerian newspaper, reported on Wednesday. The newspaper referred to the national protest movement to end SARS, the now-axed Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian federal police.

In a video uploaded to social media last week, “the soldier, who was wearing a mask … asked his colleagues to understand that the protesters were fighting for a better Nigeria and they must be supported by all Nigerians including the military,” the Punch recalled.

“The fight the civilians are fighting is our fight, do not let them (the Nigerian government) use us,” Friday said in the video, according to the newspaper.

The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had detained the lance corporal for his video statement.

“The hooded soldier hiding behind the mask to commit cybercrimes has been apprehended in the ongoing cyber operations in support of crocodile smile. Rest assured cybercriminals have no hiding place,” the Nigerian Army
wrote in a statement posted to its official Twitter account.

Prior to his arrest, on October 19, the Nigerian Army tweeted a screenshot of Friday’s video statement in support of protesters. The words “Fake Soldier” were superimposed on the frame.

Nigerian Army Soldiers attached to the 81 Division had been accused of killing protesters at the Lekki tollgate [near Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos] on Tuesday night, an allegation the army has denied,” the Punch reported on Wednesday.
The alleged attack on protesters “sparked reprisals across the state with irate youths burning down government facilities and even the family home of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” according to the report.

Nigeria’s government officially disbanded SARS on October 11 in response to ongoing protests calling for its dissolution. Despite the action, anti-police protests have continued across Nigeria since then, protesters demanding further police reform.

The protesters are not relenting despite the dissolution of the notorious police squad but have continued to protest noting the government’s ineffectual promises of police reforms and investigations in the past,” Nigerian newspaper the Guardian
reported on October 14.

Nigeria’s national police established SARS in 1992 as a special unit to combat soaring rates of violent crime. Nigerians had regularly accused the unit of abusing its authority since its founding. Graphic footage of SARS’ alleged abuses emerged online in Nigeria over the past two weeks, sparking anti-police outrage and protests nationwide demanding the unit’s dissolution.

#endsars

25 Escaped Inmates Return To Correctional Centre In Edo

A total of 25 inmates, out of the 1,900 inmates, who escaped from Oko and Sapele Road Correctional Centre popularly called White House, Benin last Monday when hoodlums masquerading as #endsars protesters stormed the two prisons, have voluntarily surrendered themselves to the authorities.

One of the inmates, who gave his name as Alex Ose, 40, a taxi driver, said that he has been awaiting trial since 2014 when he was arrested for armed robbery in the Edo State capital of Benin.

Ose, from Esan, Edo State and a father of four said that he decided to heed the call of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and surrender himself because he is innocent of the charges against him and was supremely sure that he will be vindicated by the court.

The awaiting trial inmate, one of the 1,900 escapees who spoke with Tribune Online, however, confessed that the escape provided him a perfect opportunity to be home with his wife and children, adding that he ran in the ensuing bedlam when the protesters stormed the correctional centre and ordered them to escape.

The inmate pleaded: “I am innocent of the allegations against me. I was framed up. I am appealing to Governor Obaseki to look into my case. I have every opportunity to run but chose to surrender myself because I am not guilty. The governor should please look seriously into my case. I am innocent.”

A source at Sapele Road Correctional Centre who would not want his name in print said that one of the escaped prisoners was shot on the leg and caught on Wednesday when he was sighted near the correctional centre but took to his heels when he was ordered to surrender himself to the authorities.

The source disclosed that two out of the 25 inmates who returned were from Oko Medium Correctional Centre along Airport Road, Benin, assuring that they will be returned to Oko when the situation returns to normal.

According to him, the Department of State Security (DSS), the police and officials of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) will soon commence a massive manhunt for the runaway inmates once Governor Obaseki one week grace for them to return expires.

He reminded that those who escaped from lawful prison custody risked being sentenced for extra seven years if caught while those who willingly surrendered themselves will be shown mercy as promised by Governor Obaseki.

The NCS officer said: “We have a way of arresting runaway prisoners. We will swing into action once the protest calms down. The earlier they return on their own, the better for them. Those who are re-arrested will be retried and sentenced to extra seven years if convicted. So, it is in their own interest to return as the governor has given them an extra one week of grace to return.”

#tribuneonline #endsars