Killings: Anti-SARS protest gains support in UK, US, South Africa, Canada

Nationwide protests demanding proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad have gathered momentum beyond Nigeria, with #endsars trending on Twitter in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Canada.

The protest was also the most trended issue on Friday globally, according to a Tweet by @BBCAfrica, as Nigerians continued to demonstrate across the country amid violent clashes.

#endsars protest was reignited last week following the shooting of a youth reportedly in front of a hotel in Ughelli, Delta State, in broad daylight by some FSARS operatives who drove away his Lexus Jeep. The police have said the youth didn’t die.

The Nigeria Police Force consequently banned FSARS and other special tactical squads from carrying out routine stop and search.

Nigerians claimed that the police authorities had not shown enough commitment to reform the dreaded police unit over the years and called for its disbandment.

Despite the Force’s call for calm, the protest raged on in several parts of the country, including Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Delta, Imo, with Nigerians abroad joining the demonstration.

A Nigerian-British actor, John Boyega, on Friday was among the international celebrities who lent their voices to the #endsars protests in Nigeria.

The Star Wars actor also announced on Twitter that an anti-SARS protest would hold at the Nigeria High Commission in London, the United Kingdom, on Sunday.

Boyega posted an illustration via his handle, @JohnBoyega, showing protesters carrying placards with the inscriptions, “EndSARS, EndPoliceBrutality, and EndSARSProtest.”

“Nigeria High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BX. Closest station in Charing Cross. Sunday, 11th October; 120pm,” the actor tweeted about the upcoming protest.

As of 6pm on Friday, Boyega’s tweet had attracted over 9,500 likes and 7,700 retweets as many Nigerians living in London vowed to join in the protest.

The #endsars was also one of the most trended topics on Twitter on Friday with some Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the UK, the United States, South Africa, and Canada, pledging to organise similar protests to amplify support for the calls to disband SARS – a police unit accused of serial human rights abuses.

In its tweet on Friday, @BBCAfrica noted that “The hashtag #endsars has been trending at no 1 worldwide today, as protestors continue to demand a notorious police unit in Nigeria disbanded.”

#punchng

'They shouted at me’ — Lagos deputy gov narrates how he was harassed by SARS

Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos state, says he suffered harassment from special anti- robbery squad (SARS) officers four years ago.

Speaking while addressing #endsars protesters at Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday, Hamzat narrated how SARS operatives harassed him in the Amuwo-Odofin area of the state.

The protesters are demanding that the authorities disband SARS, a special unit of the police force that has been accused of excesses, mainly regarding youths.

The deputy governor, who appealed to the protesters to be orderly, said the action of some SARS operatives is enough to upset any citizen.

“Every decent Nigerian will be upset. This happened to me four years ago. I was going to Amuwo Odofin…they (SARS operatives) were not in uniform, they had guns, they just double crossed us and said we should get out,” Hamzat told the protesters.

The deputy governor said the state government would continue to engage the police leadership and the federal government to address the issues raised by the citizens and bring about needed change in the police operations.

“The tenet of the police operation is to protect the citizens. Security operatives don’t have the right to trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens, because of their unfamiliar looks, or because they are carrying laptops or iPhones. It is wrong for any police officer to expressly accuse or pronounce someone, irrespective of age, guilty because they have dreads or ride luxury vehicles,” he said.

“As a government, we support evidence-based investigations and actions driven by intelligence. The procedure of arrest and prosecution must be followed through. We are equally aggrieved like every other law-abiding Nigerian. If a young man or woman who is legitimately doing his or her job is attacked or maimed by police officers for no reason, we will never support that. We condemn police brutality in whatever guise and we will continue to engage their leadership for change.”

Hamzat said it would be counterproductive to pull down the entire operation of the police because of the infractions committed by a few bad eggs in the system.

He added that there were processes to be followed in calling for change in its operations.

“We fully understand the reasons for your anger but this demonstration must also carried out in line with the law. If we employ violence or destruction to drive home our grievances, we will also be hurting ourselves. The protest must be orderly, so that those concerned will get the salient point of the message.

“You can’t block the road, disrupt free flow of traffic and prevent other people from embarking on their lawful duties, especially the emergency responders. As citizens, it is within your rights to express your grievances but let us exercise caution and eschew violence. The authorities have heard your voice and I hope we all leave the roads with the understanding that drastic changes will be effected.”

#thecable

Thief Breaks Into Lawmaker's Office Inside National Assembly Complex, Steals US Dollars, Office Equipment

SaharaReporters gathered that Kabiru was a Special Assistant to one lawmaker from Adamawa State and was known by many people in the complex.

A young man identified as Kabiru on Friday beat security checks at the National Assembly complex to gain entry into the office of a member of the House of Representatives and carted away dollars and other valuable items in the process.

The incident happened at 2:30pm when the suspect allegedly sneaked into another lawmaker's office located on the fourth floor of the Assembly complex using a master key.



The suspect reportedly made away with the hard currency and some other office equipment including computers, photocopy machine and printer.

SaharaReporters gathered that Kabiru was a Special Assistant to one lawmaker from Adamawa State and was known by many people in the complex.

He was said to have been identified by security operatives, who analysed the footage before he was arrested.

At the time of filing this report, some lawmakers including Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Benjamin Kalu, security personnel were all sighted at the ground floor of the complex where the suspect was being held.

SaharaReporters gathered that there was pressure from the boss of the suspect to release him and bury the matter.

A CCTV footage obtained by SaharaReporters showed the suspect while carrying out the operation.

The suspect also confessed to the crime in another video seen by our correspondent.

It was gathered that a similar incident took place last week when the office of Hon. Ali Datti Yaku representing Bebeji Constituency of Kano State located on the third floor of the complex was burgled by unknown persons, who made away with valuable items.

#saharareporters

Alpha Beta Case Suffers Delay As Tinubu Travels.

A bailiff of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, has been unable to serve a former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, with court processes thereby delaying the case instituted against the former governor and tax consultancy firm, Alpha Beta Consulting LLP.

A former Managing Director of the firm, Dapo Apara, had sued Tinubu and Alpha Beta, accusing the firm of being controlled by the former governor and diverting over N20bn from the firm to private accounts.

They were expected to appear in court within 42 days of being served with the court summons.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Apara’s lawyer, Tade Ipadeola, said court bailiffs visited Tinubu’s home in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, but were told that the former governor was out of the country.

He said a similar attempt to serve Alpha Beta at its office in the Ijora area of the state was frustrated as no one was willing to collect it, citing COVID-19.

Ipadeola said, “The court has been unable to serve the defendants. When the court bailiff got to Bourdillon, he was told that Tinubu was out of the country. Also, when the bailiff tried to serve Alpha Beta located at Water House in Ijora, nobody collected it, citing COVID-19.

“So, we will apply to the court to serve them through substituted means.”

He further stated that his client would pursue the case till the very end.

Meanwhile, Alpha Beta LLP, has denied allegations levelled against Apara, adding that he in fact diverted N6bn from the company.

Alpha Beta said in a statement by its Managing Director, Akin Doherty, that Apara was the one that was culpable as he had diverted about $5m during his time as managing director by inflating a contract which was worth about $300,000 and then diverted a separate N6bn to personal use.

The firm said it had reported Apara’s alleged fraud to the appropriate authorities but he had refused to show up and rather remained in Dubai.

In the statement titled, ‘Alpha Beta: Facts of the Matter’, the firm said Apara was an aggrieved ex-employee who was bent on tarnishing the image of the company after being sacked for financial impropriety.

It read in part, “The fact is that Dapo Apara began making his untrue allegations in the aftermath of his removal as Managing Director of Alpha Beta for fraud and unethical practices. While he was MD, Apara used his position to siphon huge sums of money from the company including but not limited to fraudulently converting $5m; money allegedly used to pay for cloud based services that were eventually discovered to be worth less than $300,000.

“Mr. Apara, who was a signatory to all the bank accounts of Alpha Beta from inception until his removal, received all his payments and entitlements until June 2018 when he was removed after his fraudulent misconduct was discovered.

“In July 2018 further evidence of his fraudulent and unethical practices was uncovered, including the revelation that he converted approximately N6bn belonging to Alpha Beta to his personal use.”

The firm said Apara’s allegations levelled against Tinubu were specious and diversionary.

Alpha Beta monitors and reconciles tax on behalf of the Lagos State Government for a commission, a contract it has been executing for over 15 years.

#punchng

Security Officer Joins EndSARS Protest In Lagos (VIDEO) .

Here is the moment a police officer in his uniform was captured marching with the #EndSars protesters today in Lagos State.

He could be heard ranting about his hatred for SARS officers and how they unlawfully arrested his brother and made him pay a huge sum of money.

#nairaland

Watch the video

EndSARS: Tacha Says This Is Not The Time To Post Beautiful Photos & Videos

Former housemate, BBNaija season 4 took to her Instagram Story to advise her colleagues.
According to her, this is not the time for beauty zone. This is not the time to post beautiful pictures and videos on the internet. It is the time to be productive. A time to join in whether online or offline and fight to put an end to SARS brutality.

She let her colleagues know that if the SARS brutality doesn't affect them today, it will definitely affect them tomorrow.

In her words:
This is not the time for beauty zone. Do you get what I'm saying? This is not the time for you to post your beautiful picture. This is not the time for those beautiful pictures and those beautiful videos. This is the time for you to join in. Whether online or offline. Join in! Be productive. Don't be posting nice pictures. This is not the time for your nice pictures. If it hasn't affected you, it is going to affect you in the future. This affects us all. Every Nigerian. So this is not the time for your beauty zone pictures.

#nairaland #endsars

Genevieve Nnaji Writes Open Letter To Buhari, Asking Him To End SARS Brutality (Photos)

Genevieve Nnaji has written an open letter to president Buhari, asking him to end the brutality meted out to Nigerian youths by SARS, IgbereTV reports.

The actress/producer began by narrating her niece's encounter in the hands of officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Genevieve stated that she's getting "weary and tired of being optimistic about change."

She called on Buhari to act and command his troops to "stand down".

"Mr President, it's time to lead," she added.

She wrote in the caption:
"Enough is enough. We are better than this. #endsars #endsarsbrutality."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....IQUQusoJe/?utm_sourc

Read her open letter to the president below.

Genevieve Nnaji Writes Open Letter To Buhari, Asking Him To End SARS Brutality (Photos)

Genevieve Nnaji has written an open letter to president Buhari, asking him to end the brutality meted out to Nigerian youths by SARS, IgbereTV reports.

The actress/producer began by narrating her niece's encounter in the hands of officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Genevieve stated that she's getting "weary and tired of being optimistic about change."

She called on Buhari to act and command his troops to "stand down".

"Mr President, it's time to lead," she added.

She wrote in the caption:
"Enough is enough. We are better than this. #endsars #endsarsbrutality."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....IQUQusoJe/?utm_sourc

Read her open letter to the president below.

Genevieve Nnaji Writes Open Letter To Buhari, Asking Him To End SARS Brutality (Photos)

Genevieve Nnaji has written an open letter to president Buhari, asking him to end the brutality meted out to Nigerian youths by SARS, IgbereTV reports.

The actress/producer began by narrating her niece's encounter in the hands of officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Genevieve stated that she's getting "weary and tired of being optimistic about change."

She called on Buhari to act and command his troops to "stand down".

"Mr President, it's time to lead," she added.

She wrote in the caption:
"Enough is enough. We are better than this. #endsars #endsarsbrutality."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....IQUQusoJe/?utm_sourc

Read her open letter to the president below.

Genevieve Nnaji Writes Open Letter To Buhari, Asking Him To End SARS Brutality (Photos)

Genevieve Nnaji has written an open letter to president Buhari, asking him to end the brutality meted out to Nigerian youths by SARS, IgbereTV reports.

The actress/producer began by narrating her niece's encounter in the hands of officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Genevieve stated that she's getting "weary and tired of being optimistic about change."

She called on Buhari to act and command his troops to "stand down".

"Mr President, it's time to lead," she added.

She wrote in the caption:
"Enough is enough. We are better than this. #endsars #endsarsbrutality."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....IQUQusoJe/?utm_sourc

Read her open letter to the president below.