Category: Special Report

By Adebisi Onanuga; Robert Egbe and Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

Judicial commissions of inquiries set up by state governments began sitting in some states on Monday.

The Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and the Lekki Tollgate Incident urged victims of the October 20 shooting of #EndSARS protesters by members of the Nigerian Army to come forward with their petitions.

The chairperson of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), said that the judicial panel had so far received 15 petitions from abuse victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Okuwobi said the panel is independent of the Lagos State Government and will ensure that individuals with valid complaints of human rights violations will receive immediate compensation.

“If their cases are disposed of in a month or two, compensation, if recommended, should go to the victims immediately to assuage their pain.

“We are looking forward to memoranda from those affected by the unfortunate incident of the shooting at the Lekki Tollgate plaza by the military. The panel has received not less than 15 petitions relating to the disbanded SARS.

“We are indeed ready to commence the public sitting. The petitions are here without the petitioners around, the panel will start full proceedings tomorrow (Oct. 27).

“We are relying on the civil society to assist the panel with credible evidence of the killings at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza.

“This is to ensure that there will be good evidence to assist the panel make appropriate recommendations in respect of all terms of reference of the panel,” she said.

Okuwobi said the panel could not begin proceedings immediately because the nominations for the two youth representatives who are to sit as part of the eight-man panel was sent in late.

She noted that the two nominated youth representatives had not yet been sworn-in and could not join the panel for Monday’s proceedings.

“The panel will most definitely sit tomorrow (Tuesday) because they would have been sworn-in and the composition will be complete,” she said.

Mr Olumide Akpata, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who was present at the proceedings said that the NBA would be partnering with the judicial panel and would also be providing pro bono services to affected victims.

“The NBA is here to help victims of the now-disbanded SARS and other human rights violations to properly articulate their petitions to this panel pro bono. This will be done in Lagos and around the country.

“The NBA will participate in observatory capacity to ensure that all goes well and ensure that justice is actually served. Our best hands will be available throughout the sittings of the panel.

“We look forward to justice being done and the recommendations of the panel for those who have been badly treated by institutions that have been set up to protect them,” Akpata said.

The panel is made up of the Chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), Mr Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), Mr Taiwo Lakanu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and a founding member of SARS.

Other panellists are Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Citizen’s Rights and Ms Patience Udoh, a representative of the civil society groups and Mr Segun Awosanya, a human rights activist.

The panel is designated to sit for six months. The sitting days are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:am to 4:pm and the venue of proceedings is the Lagos Court of Arbitration, No. 1A, Remi Oluwode Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Lagos panel member faults governors’ visit to Lekki Toll Gate

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has faulted the Southwest governors’ visit to the Lekki Toll Plaza, saying it is a usurpation of the powers of the Panel.

In a statement on Monday morning, Mr Adegboruwa contended that since the Panel has been authorised to investigate alleged shooting at the Toll Gate, it is illegal for anyone else to visit the site without the Panel’s approval.

Referencing media reports that a former Lagos State Governor and current Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola (SAN) discovered and took away a hidden camera, Adegboruwa described the Fashola’s conduct as “illegally tampering with exhibits”.

He appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to allow the Panel the full autonomy and independence it needs to operate.

The statement, titled, ‘Usurpation of powers of the panel of inquiry on SARS abuses’ reads:

“On Sunday, October 25, 2020, it was widely publicised that ministers and governors of the South-West visited the Governor of Lagos State on a sympathy tour of structures affected by the wanton looting and destruction that took place last week.

In the course of their visit, they were led to the Lekki Toll Plaza, to assess the situation thereat.

“It was at the same Lekki Toll Plaza that the incident of the alleged shooting of EndSARS protesters was said to have taken place. And based on public outcry, the Governor of Lagos State added the Lekki Toll Plaza incident to the terms of reference of the Judicial Panel that was set up.

“Since the Panel has been vested with jurisdiction over the Lekki Toll Plaza, I verily believe that it is illegal for anyone else to conduct any visit to the said Lekki Toll Plaza in the absence of and without the authority and consent of the Panel.

“It was reported that in the course of the visit, the former governor of Lagos State and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, discovered a hidden camera, which he took.

“This is a clear case of illegally tampering with exhibits that may become useful to the Panel in the course of its assignment.”

Panel commences sitting in Akwa Ibom, assures petitioners of justice

The Judicial Panel of Investigation on Incidences of Police Brutality in Akwa Ibom, yesterday held its inaugural sitting with a call on interested parties to submit memoranda to the panel.

The Chairman of the Panel, Retired Justice Ifiok Ukana, in his address, assured people with genuine complains of justice.

Ukana said the panel would do a thorough job by addressing the memoranda objectively.

“In the light of the following, this panel has invited memoranda from individuals, corporate bodies, interested development groups to avail themselves of the opportunity presented by setting up of this panel,” he said.

He called on people in the state with genuine grievances to approach the investigative panel and lay their complaints.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom, Mr Uwemedimo Nwoko, promised that the state government would not interfere in the hearings of the panel.

Nwoko expressed optimism that the work of the panel would bring peace to the state and country.

The attorney-general and commissioner for justice promised the public that the submissions from the panel would be implemented by the government.

The Judicial Panel of Investigation on Incidences of Police Brutality in Akwa Ibom has as its terms of reference to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, human rights violation and extrajudicial killings.

Similarly, the panel would also evaluate the evidence presented/other surrounding circumstances, and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints and recommend compensation and other remedial measures where appropriate.

The sitting of the panel was adjourned till Monday, November 16.

Obaseki inaugurates 22-man panel

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday inaugurated a 22-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the #EndSARs protest in the state and country at large.

It is headed by retired Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe.

According to Obaseki, the panel is expected to look into the circumstances surrounding what has happened as a consequence of the demonstration in Edo over the last few weeks.

“As you are all aware, our youths in the state have been protesting in the streets. The youths across the country have been protesting against the high-handed operation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“Our youths have been demanding an end to all forms of police brutality; injustice and arbitrariness meted out by the SARS.

“They have also been demanding for reform in the police, justice and restitution for the victims who have been affected by SARS brutality.

“Edo government fully agrees with the yearnings and the reforms in the Nigeria Police Force, as it is a requirement and a necessity if we are going to have a better Nigeria.

“A better-managed police force will be of a great benefit to the government and people of Edo. People should not be afraid or apprehensive of their police because the police are meant to ensure their safety at all times

“This assurance can only be guaranteed if the policemen who have the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and properties are humane in carrying out their responsibilities in line with international best practices.

“The security agencies in the state have paid a huge sacrifice to protect lives and properties in the state in the last few weeks.

“In the face of destruction, they have had to maintain maximum restraint so that we do not lose any more lives,’’ he said.

Obaseki said the panel’s terms of reference included to receive complaints and petitions from the general public, particularly victims and all relatives, of all forms of police brutality in Edo and extrajudicial killing.

He also said it should recommend measures of compensation to victims and their families.

“The panel is to ensure that compensation is paid within 14 days of the decision to compensate and to recommend and direct the Attorney-General to immediately prosecute all persons responsible for all various crime committed.

“You are to recommend measures to forestall such incidence in the future and to make any other recommendations to government in addition to your mandate. You have 90 days to complete this mandate,’’ he said.

Ehigiamusoe assured the governor that they would carry out the assignment with the urgency it deserved. She appealed to the people of the state to be calm and support the panel.

Ekiti judicial panel of Inquiry begins sitting November 2

Ekiti State Government has disclosed that the judicial panel of inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutalities and rights abuses in the state would commence sitting on November 2.

The panel added that it would also hold closed-door sittings for those who want their identities veiled during the panel’s sitting for fear of victimisation and other backlashes.

The State government had last week constituted a 10-man panel of inquiry led by a retired Judge of the Ekiti State Judiciary, Justice Cornelius Akintayo, to probe cases of police brutalities and right abuses in the state by men of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, who briefed reporters in Ado Ekiti, on the activities of the panel, said the sitting would not exclude any member of the society and would sit for six months.

Fapohunda said in view of the enormous interest shown by the public about the panel, said the panel will give the public unfettered right to speak about their experiences for the state to ascertain the depth of the problem.

Fapohunda said the state government had also established a Victims Compensation Fund to facilitate the speedy payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.

“There have been some questions on the composition of the Panel. We have deliberately selected members of the Panel to reflect our peculiar situation in Ekiti State. It is no coincidence that we have a large number of youth representatives on the Panel. The presence of representatives of Access to Justice Institutions is also strategic.

“I should also state that the petition does not have to follow any strict format. A simple complaints letter, stating when and what happened to the Petitioner, where it happened and identifying the violator will suffice.

“We deliberately located the Secretariat in the Department of Citizens Rights in the Ministry of Justice so that Petitioners can also get help with writing the petition.

“For example, we are aware of a number of persons that require help with medical costs. We can’t in all fairness ask these persons to wait for too long a period. In addition, without petitions, the Panel cannot sit”.

Marwa: enough of bloodshed, time to embrace dialogue

Former Military Administrator of Lagos State and Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa has called on the youths to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement with authorities at all levels of government to achieve their demands and the realisation of Nigeria of their dream.

Gen. Marwa, in a statement, said: “As a former military administrator of Lagos with great bonds and cherished affinity with the good people of the state, I was deeply troubled and worried by the news reports I got about the ugly turn of events at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, and the subsequent wanton destruction of public and private assets. This should never have been if peaceful protesters had not been confronted with live bullets and innocent lives lost in the process. The chain reaction that followed and the hijack of that by some other elements, motivated by other motives should serve as a great lesson to all stakeholders in the Nigerian project.”

He also commiserated with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, APC leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu and other state governors.

“No doubt, the demands of the youths have caught the attention of government at all levels and even the international community. As such, I want to implore them that now that their statement had been made loud and clear, they should modify their strategy; embrace the dialogue option, so as to deny fifth columnists the chance to change the narrative of their struggle and tarnish their unblemished agenda,” he added.

The PACEDA chairman said that the spate of violent attacks, mindless destruction, looting and arson across the country underscores and brings to the front burner the urgent need to wage a ferocious war against substance abuse in the country. He explained that the prevalent cases of substance abuse by some hoodlums have aggravated the mayhem in some parts of the country. According to him, “more than ever before, the recent events have again shown that there is the urgent need to expedite all pending actions by the government to tackle and make decisive moves against substance and drug abuse in the country.”

Gen. Marwa called on well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, women associations and youth groups, to rally round federal and state governments to restore peace, normalcy and order in the country.

By Frank Ikpefan, Omokhunu, Onimisi Alao, Kolade Adeyemi, Tony Akowe, Kolade Adeyemi, David Adenuga and James Azania

The burning and looting of public and private properties continued on Sunday. The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) and a coalition of 200 civil society organisations (CSOs) frowned at the development.

The elders and CSOs, who faulted the killings of protesters by the military during the #EndSARS protest, also frowned at the burning and looting of private and public infrastructures in Adamawa, Plateau, Kogi, Bauchi, calling on security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the heinous acts.

NCEF pleaded with National Assembly to as a matter of urgency begin probe of the killings during the protests.

NCEF appealed to the youths to suspend any further public protest, adding that the “point has been made that though Nigerians are tolerant and patient, they are not docile”.

“Any government that seeks to take Nigerians for granted does so at its own peril,” the elders said.

“That Civil Liberties Organisations and affected individuals should engage in litigation over the unnecessary display of aggression by the government against the peaceful protesters. The Nigerian Bar Association should render public service to Nigerians by arranging Lawyers to represent, pro bono, those who desire to utilize legal means to seek redress,” the NCEF said.

The coalition of CSOs spoke in a statement signed by its convener, Coalition of Human Rights Advocates (COHURA), Dr. Banjo Ayodele; Mrs. Ngozi Okocha for Conference of Africa Mothers Forum (COAMOF); Dr. Zainab Alkali for Justice and Equity Network (JUEGN) and Festus Igbokwe for Justice And people’s Network (JUPENE).

They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order the security forces to decisively restore law and order, expressing fears that any delayed action could take the country to a state of anarchy.

“We wish to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately restore law and order in Nigeria,” they said in the statement.

The coalition also called on governors to immediately begin engagement of youths in town-hall meetings on peace in their various states.

Youths cart away food items in Adamawa warehouse

Hundreds of youth on Sunday morning broke into a large warehouse in Adamawa State and carted away the food items stored there.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri imposed a curfew on the state, starting 3p.m. on Sunday.

Videos posted by witnesses first showed the youths advancing towards the warehouse and security operatives forming a cordon over the warehouse and asking the youths to stay off.

The warehouse is at Kwarnawaya, a community by the Yola-Numan Road, near Yola, the state capital.

A subsequent video showed the youths in their hundreds getting past the security operatives and succeeding in throwing the gate of the warehouse open and entering to help themselves to available food items.

The break-in, which occurred as many residents were in church yesterday morning, came as the first #EndSARS related violence in Adamawa State.

The state seemed to be quite aloof to the whole thing, especially after a trickle of youths who attempted a protest match were dispersed by the police a little over a week ago.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Adamawa State, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, said the police had mobilised officers and men to the place.

Fintiri said the incidents had forced him to take quick steps to avoid escalation.

The governor, who mentioned four instances when his government distributed palliative items to the people since the COVID-19 pandemic started, announced that the government was to again start the process of distributing available items today.

“In view of the above, I have declared and imposed an indefinite dawn to dusk curfew throughout the state beginning from 3 o’clock Sunday the 25th of October 2020,” he said.

Youths defy curfew loots fertiliser, farm inputs in Plateau

Despite 24-hours curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government in two councils on Saturday, youths in Jos broken into the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), Dogon Dagi compound and carted away fertiliser and other farm inputs.

At the time of filing this report, hundreds of them, including women, were seen carting away the agricultural inputs out of the premises.

Thousands of people in different shades invaded the government warehouses and looted palliatives meant to cushion the effects of COVID-19 in the state.

Hoodlums also gathered in front of Federal Secretariat, insisting on bringing it down in search of food.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase yesterday appealed to the youth to exhibit restraint over the #EndSARS protests and avoided taken laws into their hands.

The lawmaker also advised them to be calm and conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and allow the government to implement the promises made over the #EndSARS protests and not to take laws into their hands.

He spoke in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Mohammed Puma, in Jos and urged the youth, particularly in Plateau State, to give peace a chance.

Hoodlums also reportedly attacked the house of the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong’s father-in-law at Tudan Wada, Jos, on Sunday afternoon.

Although he was not harmed, valuables were carted away.

It was gathered that security agents were immediately deployed in the area to wade off any eventuality, as the hoodlums were swiftly dispersed.

Also, the School of Home Economy, the Local Government Secretariat in Riyom, the warehouse as well as the NSCDC Office were reportedly vandalised.

Thugs attempt raid on empty Bauchi warehouse

Suspected hoodlums in the early hours of Sunday attempted to raid a COVID-19 palliative warehouse in Bauchi State, but were disappointed after they found it empty.

Governor Bala Mohammed posted the development on his verified twitter-handle.

According to him, the state government had no reason to delay distribution of palliatives in the wake of the pandemic as everything was shared to the beneficiaries as at when due.

Four killed in scramble for palliatives in Kogi

Four unidentified persons were said to have lost their lives on Sunday afternoon in Kogi as hundreds of residents stormed a state warehouse in Lokoja in search of COVID-19 palliatives.

The warehouse on the Murtala Muhammed Way, close to Kpata market, was reportedly invaded mostly by the women as early as 7a.m. on Saturday, through yesterday.

The fatalities, it was gathered, resulted from the stampede by the palliatives seeking people, who rushed at the government’s warehouse.

The state government had last week began with the distribution of the palliatives to the 21 local government areas.

Each local government area got at least one trailer load of palliative items, including rice, Semovita, Indomie noodles and pasta in 10 kilogramme packs.

The siege of the warehouse, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with an order by Governor Yahaya Bello that the remaining items be distributed to people.

Mob breaks into warehouses in Abuja

There was confusion in Abuja when hundreds of hoodlums on Sunday afternoon invaded the Idu Industrial Layout, raiding several warehouses in search of palliatives.

This happened in the presence of security operatives, who looked the other way while the looting continued.

The Idu Industrial Layout is where Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) grains are reserved.

A witness, who saw the thugs looting, told our correspondent that they made away with bags of rice, cartons of tin tomatoes, cereal, milk, bails of Ankara materials, generators, pumping machine and other items.

Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu Candido also confirmed the attack and looting.

Candido, who said he personally witnessed the incident, said the hoodlums overpowered the few security personnel that were on the ground.

The AMAC Chairman noted: “The hoodlums, numbering over 300, overpowered the security personnel that were on the ground. So, they broke the warehouse and carted away several bags of grains.”

 Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt; Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja; AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna and Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

AS the peaceful protests have given way to riots, the calls for dialogues to find a permanent end to police brutality intensified on Tuesday.

ActionAid Nigeria appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation and give a clear-cut response to the demands of the #EndSARS protesters before it is too late.

ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement signed by Mrs Ene Obi, Country Director of the organisation, in Abuja yesterday, said: “The protest has moved from being a social media campaign to a peaceful protest by Nigerians across the globe in the last 13 days, with clear demands on the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and extra-judicial killings.

“Nigerians anticipate clear plans, timelines, and commitments, which will be in form of a pact with the citizens.

“The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, should see this as an opportunity to write his name in the sands of time by starting the process of transforming this country, especially by responding to the demands of citizens.”

Mrs. Obi also called on security agencies to keep securing the streets to get unscrupulous elements with illegitimate interests of the peaceful protests, while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters.

“We applaud the resolve of Nigerian youths leading the revival across the country and the resolute to hold the government to account.

“However, it is pertinent that decorum is maintained while resisting any calculated attempts by unknown elements to disrupt the just cause for the total reformation of our country, Nigeria,’’ Obi said.

The Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Young People (CERANY), an NGO, also underscored the need for a roundtable between the Federal Government and youth leaders, to address the raging #ENDSARS protests.

A statement by the President of CERANY, Mr Chuks Akamadu, said the centre endorsed the legitimacy and wishes to associate itself with the wave of peaceful protest against police brutality.

According to him, the action is patriotic and indicative of collective resolve by young people of Nigeria to ensure a better nation for themselves.

Akamadu said: “We are, however, worried that the peaceful protests, which is a right of all citizens, appears to be turning into the dimension that can make such unacceptable through infiltration by subversive element. Thereby, turning a tar brush of what ordinarily should be in the best interests of the nation.

“In view of this, CERANY wishes to urge the youths to discontinue the protest forthwith and give government benefit of the doubt and reasonable time to address germane concerns they have raised.

“This will be in the overall interest of the nation since it is common knowledge that the concerns predate the current administration of the country.

“In the same vein, CERANY wishes to propose immediate conveyance of a National Youth Leaders Conference (NYLC), with the mandate to articulate the concerns of young people and engage government in a roundtable.”

Thousands of #ENDSARS protesters yesterday took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling on their colleagues across the country to vacate the streets and allow the government to address their demands.

The protesters under the auspices of Concerned Rivers Youths marched from Polo field at GRA to the state Police Command along Moscow Road, where the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, addressed them.

Displaying placards with inscriptions such as, “the real lasting victories are those of peace and not of violence”, “SARS has ended let’s dialogue”, ” we say no to SARS, we stand with Buhari”, “thank you, Mr. President, for ending SARS” among others called for dialogue between the youths and the government.

Addressing Mukan, the leader of the protest, Fred Taria, said since the government had given speedy attention to their five demands, it was time to exit the streets and major roads in the country.

He said the youths should understand that while some of their demands could be met immediately, others would take some time adding that unabated protest had allowed their enemies to hijack the civil action.

He said: “Police brutality should not be condoned at any point in our lives. We have passed the message and indeed the government has listened to us keenly. Our five demands are the immediate disbandment of SARS. Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

“Setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct; Psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers and an increase in police salaries and allowances.

“These have been given speedy attention. It is, therefore, important to plead with the youths that we give the government some time to further expand on their actions. As we must agree, some of our demands cannot be sufficiently attended to overnight. We cannot violently achieve sustainable peace and reform.

“Again, some enemies of our tomorrow have sponsored bandits and thugs to attack us which has led to the loss of lives and properties which we accuse the SARS operatives of doing. Please, it is imperative that we leave the streets of our dear country now, so as not to give the enemies of our country more opportunities to further ferment trouble hence distracting the government from meeting our demands.

“There is no doubt that the masses are united now which has contributed immensely to the huge success attained, but we may lose relevance if their sources of livelihood, existence and daily bread begins to be threatened by our actions via the protest as we have occupied the streets for almost two weeks now, thereby hindering and grinding economic activities. It is necessary that we adhere to this call, so as not to throw away the baby with the bathwater.

“While the youths prepare to vacate the streets, the government should further expand their actions by setting up several processes and showing adequate concerns to the plights and demands of the youths. Communication is also key in all of this, as the government needs to communicate their actions to the youths.

“We will like to deeply thank the President, Inspector General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in various states of our country, for responding swiftly by demobilising the dreaded police unit.”

Mukan commended the youths for adopting different dimension to their protest and promised that the Federal Government would not renege on its promises.

He said: “We sincerely appreciate this different dimension of protest. You demonstrated today that the future of this country belongs to you. If the government turns violence and the government properties are being destroyed, it means you are destroying your future.

“The federal government will not renege on its assurances. The Inspector-General of Police is a listening IG. When the youths demanded the end to SARS within 24 hours he disbanded it and opened room for dialogue. At the end of every demonstration, the dialogue will bring solutions to our pressing issues”.

Islamic movement backs #EndSARS protesters

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has thrown its weight behind the #EndSARS protests embark upon by majorly youths across the country.

IMN said Nigerians should continue to reject police brutality no matter the situation.

The religious group frowned at the ongoing crisis, adding that: “police brutality against peaceful Free Zakzaky protesters has long been emblematic of the inhumane and senseless. The brutality of the Nigerian police force is impossible to be justified, no matter the level of insensitivity”.

IMN said the campaign of: “illegal detentions, illegal destruction of properties, illegal extortions, illegal torture, illegal harassment and illegal executions of Sheikh Zakzaky’s supporters can never be condoned”.

While urging the Nigerian youth to keep on calling for the end of injustice, Police and Military brutality, the IMN demanded the unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife who are presently at Kaduna State Correctional facility.

It said the brutalities of the police and military will not at all deter them from demanding the release of: “our leader who has been sick and in detention for almost half a decade now. Either he is free or we are in the Abuja ways and streets in our relentless calling for and pursuit of his freedom”.

A statement in Abuja by a top member of the Academic Forum of the Islamic movement, Abdullahi Musa, said: “In Nigeria, policing has long been turned into an instrument of terror, causing great harm and injury to innocent people who are supposed to be protected.

“What excuses or alibis have the police got for killing or injuring protesters who simply call for the immediate and unconditional release of an oppressed personage the Nigerian Army had traced to his residence, spraying him and his wife with bullets, slaying his three sons before his naked eyes, eliminating over a thousand of his followers, dragging him on the gory corpses of the murdered sons, setting his residence afire and demolishing it anon?

“The campaign of illegal detentions, illegal destruction of properties, illegal extortions, illegal torture, illegal harassment and illegal executions of Sheikh Zakzaky’s supporters can never be condoned by any civilised society, and should not be overlooked here in Nigeria to boot.”

‘Violence must be curbed’

The Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) yesterday warned against prolonged violence.

Its President, Abdullahi Wali, expressed worries that the protest may degenerate to a state of anarchy.

Wali said: “The proscription of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), as President Muhammadu Buhari has stated, promises to ensure that all those who are responsible for the misconducts or wrongful acts are brought to justice and renewed vigour with which corruption is being fought, we are encouraged to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“As national youth bodies, we acknowledge the genuine feelings of the youths over issues of unemployment. We empathize with all Nigerian youths and lovers of social justice for coming up with a patriotic stand to right the wrongs in our society, however, we must as a point of necessity crave towards mutual trust of peace, unity, love, stewardship and accountability to the government and people of our dearly beloved country.

“In spite of the monumental landmark achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the perpetrated unrest on the streets of Nigeria, associated by the volatile cloud of protesters over activities of the Nigeria Police Force, especially SARS and other tactical units, we have been highly worried that it may degenerate to a state of anarchy.”

Davido condemns violence, preaches peaceful protest

Renowned artist David Adeleke, aka ‘Davido’, has condemned the reported violence threatening to engulf the #EndSARS protests across the country.

Several artists had equally thrown their weight behind the protest, which had gained the support of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The protest which came to a climax on Monday, October 20, however, had since been hijacked in Abuja and Edo by suspected hoodlums.

Reports show that hoodlums confronted protesters in Abuja during which properties were destroyed and several people were left injured.

The Edo government has also ordered a curfew following a jailbreak in Benin City, which was alleged to have been masterminded by protesters and/or prison officials.

It was against this backdrop, that Davido, through his Twitter account affirmed that the #EndSARS protest was meant to be a peaceful one.

“After seeing all that’s gone on, I just want to say that from the beginning we have preached that the protest must remain peaceful & law-abiding.

“And as far as I know we have kept to that! And we will continue to keep to that so the narrative can not be switched up on us.

“The people they claim broke into prisons to free convicted criminals, burn police stations to steal weapons, damage police, government and private vehicles are criminals and everybody must condemn these acts. They are not part of our movement.

“#EndSars is a peaceful and law-abiding protest that is going somewhere great and no mischief can scatter it,” he said.

‘Nigeria paying the price of youth exclusion’

Frontline Labour leader and Vice President, Industrial Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, has said the #EndSARS protest is as a result of youth exclusion in the governance of Nigeria.

He said the development offers a timely opportunity for Nigerian governments to integrate the youths back into the socio-economic development of the country.

Speaking at a news conference in Kaduna, Aremu argued that, for too long through youth mass unemployment, prolonged closures of universities due to ASSU strikes, income poverty and Police criminalization, Nigerian youths have been pushed on the margins of the Society.

According to him, “the crisis at hand is nothing but the price for youth exclusion. If you don’t keep them busy in schools as students, in factories for those with decent jobs, if you don’t stop harassing and criminalising them on the streets, what you have is what we are seeing on our streets.”

He commended some governors for constituting the judicial panels to unravel the atrocities of the defunct SARS adding that the Federal government should also hit the ground running by having a truce with ASUU, reopen the universities and getting the students off the streets back to the classrooms. The government he also said should launch its much expected 777,000 jobs to creatively keep the youths engaged.

Ondo Varsity shut down

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) in Ondo State, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, yesterday closed down the university following the ongoing EndSARS protest across the town.

This is contained in a circular signed by the university’s Vice-Chancellor himself and made available to reporters.

“Following the ongoing protest nationwide, I, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, on behalf of the Senate have directed that the university should be closed down with immediate effect.

“The above information is for the strict compliance by the students as they are expected to vacate the university’s premises for their safety and protection,” he said.

The statement added that some roads in Akure, the state capital, especially Alagbaka/ First Bank road, and Owo road were locked down by the protesters.

Schools close as protests intensify in Ibadan

Most private and public schools in Oyo State did not open for academic activities Tuesday morning.

Although the state government have not made any official announcement on the school closures, most private schools said the decision was necessitated by the hardship witnessed by people on account of the EndSARS protest in major parts of the state.

More so, the schools harped on the safety and security of the children while the protests lasted.

It was observed that most schools, (especially private) opted to send the notice of school closure late in the night in the form of advisory citing the uncertain of the protest going awry.

Some public schools who solely depend on the state government directive were observed opened but with students just strolling around as many of their teachers were said to have been trapped and unable to get to school.

Despite the challenges which rice farmers have experienced this year, ranging from border closure, global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and flood, among others, there is a continuously high demand for local rice. JULIANA AGBO examines the efforts of stakeholders in the rice value chain to make the product available, accessible and affordable.

Before the Federal Government showed more commitment to diversification of the economy through agriculture, especially in the area of rice production, Nigeria spends about $372 million annually on the importation of rice to make up for the shortfall in production. Then, rice was said to be cultivated on about 3.7 million hectares of land, representing approximately 10.6 per cent of the 35 million hectares of land under cultivation, out of a total arable land area of 70 million hectares in Nigeria.

According to statistics from the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in 2019, Nigeria currently consumes about 7.9 million metric tons of rice annually while production is at eight million metric tons.

Despite the increase in production of rice, there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of the commodity.

While farmers fear that if this gap between domestic supply and demand keeps expanding, rice will no longer be affordable or available to most Nigerians.

With the current commitment toward promoting and ensuring food security in Nigeria, Nigerians are of the opinion that this is an opportunity to empower the rural farmers to boost rice production which will aid the distribution and expansion of the supply chain in Nigeria.

The continuous increase in the demand for rice is an opportunity for investors and farmers to go into rice production since increased production of the commodity will improve the economy in many areas.

  Current production

While Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in rice production is fraught with issues about quality, price instability, and harvesting/processing challenges, among others, the National President RIFAN, Aminu Goronyo has assured that Nigerians should expect between nine and 11 million metric tons of rice this year.

Goronyo said the increase in the price of rice is associated with dollar appreciation against the naira as producers and processors convert naira to buy the input and other equipment.

He said plans are on to make rice available, accessible and affordable.

“We are still expecting between nine and 11 million metric tons of rice this year. Nigerians should not panic because, in the next few weeks, the prices of rice will reduce from what it is now. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has done its best for us by making farming easy for farmers. We have begun harvesting. Between now and four weeks, the prices of milled rice will reduce,” he said.

Vice-President RIFAN North West, Mohammed Auwal, said plans are on to start the dry season farming so as to compensate for whatever that is happening in any location and take care of all the losses during the year.

Auwal, who noted that RIFAN has been consulting with the government, said the second cropping season will begin immediately by the end of this month, after the first season harvest so that there won’t be a difference in output.

He said: “Despite the issue of banditry, there was a massive production of rice, people have planted en masse. Every little space that can produce rice has been cultivated; so that will compensate for whatever that is happening in any location, so in terms of the output, there won’t be any difference.

“We have been consulting with the government; we have plans in place. Instead of doing one dry season, we are going to do two dry seasons this year. So, we are going to have two cropping seasons within the dry season.

“The first cropping season will come by the end of this month, then we harvest in January, and in February, we plant again, we will harvest in June, by then, the rains have begun when we will plant again.

Furthermore, Vice-Chairman RIFAN South West, Victor Korede, who noted that despite that the farmers couldn’t access inputs on time due to the lockdown and issues with logistics, he said rice production in the South West is in progress.

He said:  “A lot of our farmers recorded losses because South West was affected by drought instead of a flood. We remained undaunted and we replanted.

Price control

An Assistant Director with the CBN and member of the Rice Value Team, Dr Musa Olasupo, who explained that prices are actually controlled by demand and supply said rice was selling at a cheap rate when the market was flooded with imported rice, adding that it affected the country’s import bills which amounted to about $372 million.

Olasupo added that the CBN is encouraging producers to mill rice in those zones where there are no milling facilities so that the cost of transport logistics and the premium that is being given by distributors will be reduced to the nearest minimum.

“If you are picking price in isolation because of a particular region, then you don’t have a true reflection of what is the price of a 50kg bag of rice in states where we have a peak of production. We have these exceptions in the South where we don’t have mills and the challenge has been more of logistics.

“Kano State, for example, has the largest milling capacity in Nigeria. The cost of a 50kg bag of rice in the farm gate or factory gate is about N16, 000 while they get it in the market about N17, 000 and that explains all.

“As at now, 100kg bag of paddy is between N130, 000 and N140, 000. So, the inefficiency is an arbitrage that is being put there by distributors and those involved in logistics. It is when we are able to have efficiency along the value chain that we can have fair pricing across the entire zone, and we can have a standard price of rice nationwide,” he said.

Assuring that Lagos State’s milling capacity is about 80 per cent completion, he said the CBN will go beyond encouraging paddy production for the country to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

He explained: “We also will require bigger mills because we have smaller mills in the South. There is a mill in Delta State; it is doing about 20 to 25 metric tons per hectare. Consumption in Delta, Benin, Rivers, and Beyalsa will be going to about 200 million metric tons. So, we need to bring in this efficiency by encouraging more people to mill beyond paddy production.

“We will have millers that will be able to deliver rice at affordable prices. We started this in 2015. Any country that has been able to attain self-sufficiency in rice production went through this path. Once we are able to produce more, the price will continually come down until it attains an equilibrium position.

“The cost of production is more of physical issues. Even if we fix the cost of paddy, fueling, labour and cost of bagging, it will continue to increase and it means the final price the consumer will pay will increase.

“This is a journey for everyone. The government is trying to increase power supply. If that comes up, it means the cost of diesel will reduce and the price of rice will finally reduce. A lot of things come into the pricing mechanism. We are trying to fix a part of it. Some other parts will also need to be fixed. That is why in 2019 we went into a collaboration to ensure that every stakeholder in this value chain comes to the realisation that we need to do more to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

Hope for flood victims

While explaining that there are mitigants for almost every risk and pro-actively, Olasupo said the CBN has done all for the farmers to thrive after the flood incidence.

He said: “For those farmers, they have their farms covered in the area of yield index insurance scheme. What this indicates is that if there are eventualities, the insurer will be able to pay back farmers what they expect to be the yield from that farm.

“Now, we have them on the field where they are engaging the farmers. We are trying to bring the farmers back to cultivate during this dry season so that they don’t lose out thereby by getting discouraged.

He, however, assured that finance will not be a challenge for farmers who will help in diversifying the economy.

There is a humanitarian crisis ravaging flood-prone communities across the Niger Delta and beyond, writes SHOLA O’NEIL

Floods are wiping out communities, submerging homes, eating up farms and villages in the hinterland, hapless citizens are fleeing their areas and moving into neighbouring towns, which also soon feel the wrath of nature. Those fleeing are leaving behind mud and brick houses that are being washed away and in agrarian communities that are being submerged by unrelenting floods.

From Patani to Aven through dozen other communities in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, thousands of residents have fled to take refuge on the shoulders of the Warri-Port Harcourt axis of the busy the East-West highway.

A primary school in Aven, which used to house some of the internally displaced persons, is overflowing, but not just with IDPs; it has been taken over by the flood. Those giving succour to embattled family members and friends are now also refugees with no refuge in sight.

Our reporter met one of the v ictims, who simply identified himself as Mr. Ayamkpor. Chased from his home by the water, he set up a makeshift shelter at a layby on the busy highway. The shelter is just a few meters away from his comfortable brick bungalow, which he is sinking by the inches deeper into the puddle.

“I could not take anything out when the flood started, because I was away with my family. When I came back, my house was already full of water. See (he showed our reporter a box of clothes) everything inside has been soaked. My mattresses and those of my wife are all destroyed by flood,” said Ayamkpor who looked dejected.

His family’s fate mirrors those of thousands of others in several communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo among other states in the Niger Delta region. From Kpakiama, Bomadi, Esama Ayakoromo, Tuomo, Bulu-Angiama and Abare communities in Delta state, to Zarama, Sagbama, and Agge in Bayelsa, the pathetic tales are similar – sufferings, farmlands ravaged by floods, communities sacked and means of livelihood wiped away.

Mrs Tobra Kasikoro-Kilipirite of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta described the situation as a national disaster and source of concern for the people of the region.

Speaking during a visit to some of the disaster area, Kasikoro-Kilipirite called for urgent and holistic measures to address the menace of flooding, which, she said, has become a yearly tragedy for the people.

“The yearly outburst of the flood is another menace bedevilling coastal communities’ dwellers. It is a devastating effect on the populace, especially the Niger Delta Communities, have posed a serious threat to the people. (Flood) are streaming down coastal banks from Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, and other Niger Delta states.

“Properties worth trillions are being destroyed, educational and socio-economic activities are put on hold, healthcare facilities/utilities are ravaged, lives are lost and families displaced daily as the flood rises.”

MOSIEND groups, including Western Zone Woman Leader, Comr. Boyelayefa Ambakederemo, Secretary of Women Initiative for Values Empowerment and Sustainability International (WIVES Int’l), Comr. Timipre M. Torokro and the Director of Programs WIVES Int’l, Dr. Prince Dennis A. Kilopiri told The Nation that the situations are replicas of happenings in affected communities in Bomadi, Burutu, Ughelli North, Warri South-West and North, LGAs.

Expectedly, the deplorable living condition of the victims of the flood is creating health concerns, as the displaced persons live under very poor hygienic conditions where portable water, proper sanitary condition and lack of healthy human waste disposal are luxuries.

At Aven, two children swam in front of Mr. Aymakpor’s submerged house. The naked children while diving and playing in the water use their hands to wade away faeces and animal droppings that are washed into the water from the main floor. Sadly, they cannot see or wave away the streams of urine, bacteria and germs that seep into the ‘pool’ from the road and burst or washed away septic tanks.

A few meters away, 15-year-old Ebipamo and his little brother sat shade provided by withering plantain trees. They are hurdled over a meal of garri and the hastily prepared pot of soup. Their ‘home’ consists of two mosquito nets tied to plantain stumps. The net keeps away as many mosquitoes as possible but does not stave off cold or the rain.

Nearby, their wet clothes are spread on the grass, and they constantly look overhead into the sky, with silent supplications that the heavens hold up and do not open up any time soon. The younger of the duo merely nodded when asked if he is in school, but he refused to disclose his class or school. His countenance indicated that he was more concerned about surviving the flood than talking about his educational interest.

Schools in hundreds of affected communities have remained close despite the re-opening after the COVID-19 pandemic because of the rampaging flood. Schools in some states resumed last Monday, but children like Ebipamo and others in Aven, Patani and other ravaged areas are more interested in staying alive than returning to school

Famine, hunger loom

“We are tired of people coming here, snapping photographs every time there is the flood. Nobody is willing to help us. We hear of money, millions budgeted for relief to flood victims but what do we get? It is nothing every year,” Mrs. Ayamkpor, who also lost her building and belongings to flooding, ranted at our reporter in frustration.

She is a dark, sturdy and a very hardworking woman, who looks 50ish. She is a buxom beautiful woman, but her face is striated and marked with anxiety as she spoke. She was peeling cassava with her daughter-in-law along the Port Harcourt highway when she saw our staff. Despite her anger, she is a friendly woman, who is burdened by the environment and hardship around her. Her current accommodation of a tiny space shared with her husband and seven children is a far cry from the modest multi-room house that has been washed away by the flood.

She explained how her movement from her farm and house in the innermost part of the community to the highway because of the flood. “I did not salvage anything from the flood, everything is gone. We are peeling cassava now to make garri but for how long will it survive me, my husband and my children? Our farm is gone, everything is gone; where do we start from?”

There are indications that it could get worse in the days ahead unless the heavens dry up and there is respite.

As floods race towards farms, farmers are forced to hurriedly harvest their crops, mostly prematurely. Cassava and yam are some of the root crops mostly farmed along with plantain and banana in parts of the delta area. But the flood has wiped out a substantial part of this years’ harvest already.

In some of the communities our reporter visited, tiny crops that were salvaged by the farmers are seen on yam barns. They are premature and barely 30percent of their usual sizes. But even those are not spared by floods, as the water level continues to rise and barrels of water are emptied daily into the land.

“We kept these yams here on a place we thought is highland but before we knew it the flood had risen to that level and destroyed some of them. You can see for yourself that the crops are now in the water. It is not as if we have given up, but where else do we go? We cannot dig government roads and erect barns on them,” Ayamkpo told our reporter.

Still, the worse might yet be ahead as many rivers in that axis continue to overflow their banks and spilling into communities and the highways. Footpaths in towns have village have become waterways where boats are the preferred means of transportation.

A long stretch of the Uwheru-Ughelli-Evwreni axis of the expressway has already being taken over by water, raising fears that motorists going to Port Harcourt and Calabar routes might now look to the longer Ughelli-Asaba-Onitsha-Owerri route, as was the situation in 2013/2014 when the road was washed away by flood during construction. At the weekend, running streams of water surfaced on sections of the road and some part is already being washed away.

Alleged govt neglect

The perceived abandonment of the victims of the flood is causing anger, amidst alleged refusal of the states and local government authorities to distribute relief and other materials to cushion the suffering of victims.

One of the victims in Kpakiama said past experiences have taught them not to expect anything from the government. She said even when relief materials are provided; they end up in the homes of government officials. “The last time we heard of millions of naira being provided along with foodstuffs and other materials, but we got nothing.”

At Aven, Mrs Ayampo said her family of nine, including her husband and seven children, were given a carton of Indomie noodles with nothing else. “How long will that last us? But we keep hearing millions and billions upon billions but there is nothing for the common man.”

Speaking in the same vein, Kasikoro-Kiliripite said, “It is quite sad that days after the floods started, residents have complained that there have been no official communication or provision from the Federal or State government, nor interventionist agencies in respect to measures they are putting in place to curb this natural disaster, IDP camps or provision of palliatives to those affected.”

Twelve serving corps members tie nuptial knots in Anambra State. EMMA ELEKWA tells their love stories.

Those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because of its varied challenges may need to have a rethink following some ‘giant strides’ it has recorded, especially in recent times.

The scheme has continued to live up to its mandates of developing a sense of corporate existence and common ties and destiny of the Nigerian people, particularly the youths, as well as promoting national unity and integration.

It has also removed prejudices, eliminated ignorance and confirmed at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.

Just recently, twelve corps members deployed to Anambra State for their one-year compulsory national service were celebrated by the scheme for locating their missing ribs in course of service to their fatherland.

The celebrants include Eze Obinna and Oluchi Peace, Henry Nwachoko and Charles Ruth, Oluchukwu Davis and Ahedo Etiosa.

Others are Nsofor Obianuju and Ohale Nkemakolam, Ogburie Collins and Nwokearu Chinyeremaka, Bernard Faith Amarachi and Okafor Chukwudi.

The corps members in an epoch-making event held in one of the hotels in the capital city, could not hide their joy and excitement as they took turns to share their testimonies of how they found their loved ones while serving their fatherland

They said they would remain grateful to God, the NYSC and the state government for providing them with the platform, enabling environment and mentorship for courtship that eventually metamorphosed into marriage.

Narrating how he found his wife, Mr. Oluchukwu Davis from Delta State said he found his heartthrob Aghedo Blessing, a native of Edo State at the Delta State Polytechnic, but said they parted ways after graduation.

He said they were later reunited when they suddenly, but divinely met during their service year in Anambra state.

“As God may have it, the NYSC orientation camp in Anambra reunited us, paving way for the relationship to be consummated into marriage.

“We were initially posted outside Anambra for service; but were divinely redeployed to the state where we met again and continued,” he said.

The wife, Blessing, said it was unbelievable how the paths of both of them crossed again after the last time they parted ways back in school.

“Since we departed Delta State Polytechnics, I never knew I will meet him again. But, surprisingly, I finally met him in Anambra and got married to him,” she said with an alluring smile,” she said.

She noted that the husband’s style of talking was the primary attraction to him.

Blessing further revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic season contributed immensely to the cementing of the relationship, describing it as a blessing in disguise.

“The lockdown enabled us to have access to each other very well as we got to know and understand ourselves much better before we eventually accepted to be husband and wife,” she added.

Another couple, Ogburie Collins and Nwokearu Chinyeremaka, both from Imo state said they got married while in service.

The husband, Collins, said he found his wife when they boarded the bus together from Anambra to their state and they introduced themselves as corps members.

“The relationship got started and we later got married while in service,” he said.

For the wife, Chinyeremaka, she said she was simply speechless when the husband first mentioned marriage to her.

She revealed that Collin’s height was one major quality that attracted her to him.

She said: “How can a corper be talking about marriage, can he take care of a family with his small alawee? I never took him seriously until he demonstrated the quality I have always wanted in a man.

”I never knew he has a quality that any woman could never resist. I thank God that we got married. His height is one of the endearing qualities. I had prayed to God to give me the husband I desire. Above all, he is a very caring and loving husband.”

For Ohale Nkemakolam, another corps member that got married to Nsofor Obianuju, it was mere questions for direction to his destination that connected him to his wife.

“I met my wife at Onitsha park and asked her for the direction to Anambra NYSC camp and she directed me. That was all. From there we exchanged phone numbers. That was how the relationship started, one thing led to the other which culminated into marriage.”

Another celebrant, Henry Nwachoko, said she met her wife, Charles Ruth while she was praying at the family house of the Christian Corpers fellowship, thanking God and the government for creating the NYSC platform.

“Without NYSC I wouldn’t have met my wife,” he added.

The stories were not different from the rest two: Eze Obinwa and Oluchi Peace as well as Bernard Faith Amarachi and Okafor Chukwudi.

Speaking during the ceremony, State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr. Kehinde Aremu described the event as unique, saying there had never been an assemblage of marriage in the history of the Scheme.

He said: “It’s been a wonderful feeling. I feel fulfilled that some of the things and environment we deliberately created and togetherness we built among them is yielding this kind of results.

“It’s been yielding, actually, but we’re celebrating these ones because of the number. But it happens always. They walk together in groups, discuss together in their CDS groups, we accommodate them in religious houses where they discuss their faith.

“This period is when young people form opinions and impressions about their life partners and dreams we’ve created that kind of environment and I’m excited it’s working.”

Attributing the success story to the conducive environment and the friendly disposition of the people of the state and the government, the Coordinator called on the celebrants to reciprocate by investing in the state.

He said: “We thank Governor Willie Obiano for creating a conducive environment and his commitment towards the welfare of Corps members in the state.

“This success story doesn’t end with the service year. Anambra is conducive for everything. If the environment was unfriendly, this couldn’t have been possible. You’ve invested emotions, but invest money in developing the state.”

Aremu allayed fears over the possibility of the marriages crashing with time, expressing confidence that the unions would stand the test of time.

He added: “Absolutely no fears at all. It’s marriages like these that last because both parties know they are starting afresh. Marriages that crash are those we call celebrity marriages; marriages based on money and fame.

“But these ones made up their minds to start from scratch. They have trust and hope in themselves. That’s why they’re building from the scratch, and when you start from the scratch, expectations are minimal. You hardly have crashes in this kind of marriage where the foundation is solid.”

The NYSC boss urged them to continually build on the trust and confidence they earlier had for each other to ensure sustenance.

“For these ones, it is marriage, for others, it’s business, for some, it is connections. But whatever it is, my humble advice, especially for those in marriages is to continue to build on the trust they have in each other. They’ve seen tomorrow, hard work, commitment and those are the virtues that will build and sustain them.

Aremu said: “I can confidently tell you that because of the age groups, a large chunk of married people today, started their union from youth service.

“All those calling for the scrapping of the scheme don’t make sense anymore. If you had gathered those that started their businesses during youth service and they share their testimonies, it’s the same thing you’ll be hearing.

“Whether business, connection or marriage, so many foundations are laid during the service year. I’m sure those ones can’t be part of those canvassing for the scrapping of the scheme. They would champion the cause of dispelling such notions. The NYSC scheme has made a lot of laudable achievement since its creation. Nigerians should continue to support the scheme for its many benefits.

Assistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services Mrs. Ify Nwafor said one of the reasons for the establishment of the scheme was for integration, including chances for corps members to meet the love of their lives.

“Marriage as a journey can be both fun and hell. You came, you served and married. Always try to make your marriage joyful and to be happy in your marriage. Always tolerate and love each other to have happy homes,” she added.

By Gbenga Omotoso

Judge him by his modest frame, and you would be making a big mistake. Consider the weight of his office, and you might think that he would be averse to taking personal risks, and you would be wrong again.

He is no heavyweight boxer, yet he packs a devastating punch. He does not possess the oratorical prowess of Marcus Cicero or the fiery Rev Martin Luther King Jr, or Bola Ige, our own Cicero, God bless their souls; yet his eloquence is striking and his words can rouse a crowd to action. He is no soldier, yet he is bold as a lion.

I am speaking of my boss, the one whose Administration is “bankrolling” me, as it were: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The anti-Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) protests had been going on for days, with angry youths seizing some sections of Lagos – Nigeria’s business and financial engine-room by the neck.  The anxiety that gripped the city were palpable. Prominent citizens and ordinary folks were worried that the gathering clouds portended danger.

Hundreds of protesting youths camped on the Lekki Expressway. Another group was stationed at the House of Assembly gate, screaming: “No more SARS”; “No to police brutality”; “End SARS” and more. Their fire-red eyes spoke volumes. Some were roaring, their youthful necks expanding and contracting. They pumped the air with their fists.

Sweating and screaming, hundreds of protesters pulled off their shirts and wound them round as protection from the scorching Lagos sun (31C). The protesters vowed that they would not vacate the road they were occupying until their demands were addressed.

Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat elected to address the crowd at the Assembly gate. He mounted a truck, a microphone in his hand, and started slowly, even as music was blaring from some speakers mounted under a white canopy.

“Great Nigerian youths!” Dr Hamzat shouted. “We are with you. We feel your pains. I once had an encounter with SARS; you are not alone,” he told the protesters and counselled them to leave the roads. He said the state government would not condone brutality and violation of citizens’ rights by security operatives, pointing out that the position of the state on the matter had already been communicated to the appropriate quarters by the governor.

His words: “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.

“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.”

As the Deputy Governor left the scene at 1:15pm, the protesters continued to sing anti-police songs, calling for SARS to be disbanded.  He instructed his security aides not to harass the demonstrators.

That was last Friday. The next day, Saturday, the demonstrators stormed his home. He also addressed them, urging patience and restraint. But they were not in the least mollified.

On Monday, Governor Sanwo-Olu cut short an Executive Council meeting to address the angry crowd. His security detail, it was later learnt, had tried to dissuade him from embarking on a venture which they considered “dangerous”.

“It is a mob with no known leader, who can tell them to come for a discussion,” the governor was told.”

He disagreed.

“Taking no action is no option,” the governor told his Executive Council members.

He chose a few of them, the younger ones mostly, to join him on the short drive to the Lekki Toll Gate, the heart of the protests. Sanwo-Olu told his security officials to stay back as he walked like any other person on the street. He was dressed like a typical Lagos boy – a fez cap, a grey sport shirt, a pair of jeans, and dark trainers. Smart.

He was calm. Even as the roaring crowd surged forward, he was unruffled. A young woman was reciting all manner of grievances against SARS. She was barely audible. Some were hailing the governor. “Sanwo-Eko! Sanwo-Eko!” they yelled. The governor kept a straight face. His serious mien betrayed a critical fact – this is quite different from a campaign crowd; it is a crowd of seemingly implacable youths. A protester offered Sanwo-Olu his open-roof vehicle. The governor mounted it. He grabbed the mic and began to address the unruly protesters.

“Your voice has been heard clearly and a clear pronouncement has been made on the activities of SARS. The operation has been dissolved by the police leadership and just a moment ago. Mr. President addressed the nation on the issues you have raised. The President has said all SARS officers that are involved in the killing of innocent people and engaging in human rights abuses will be brought to justice,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He went on: “My stance on this EndSARS protest is unmistakable and I have told you that we identify with this protest because you have legitimate concerns. I am saying it again here that this protest is in good faith. But, we must not be unruly when going out on a protest like this. We want you to be peaceful and decorous in expressing yourselves.”

Were they pleased?

No.

Was the governor happy?

Sure. He was in high spirits because his belief that the youths needed to be engaged had turned out to be right.

Then, there were the backroom engagements.

After a long Security Council meeting, Sanwo-Olu held virtual meetings with a group of youths who told him what they felt was the way forward. They wanted all those detained in connection with the protests released. Sanwo-Olu broke to them the news that they had been let off the hook –  and the younger ones were allowed home to their parents. But the youths insisted that one of them was being held at Panti Police Station.  Sanwo-Olu assured them that he would be released.  And he was.

The meeting ended about 10pm. But there was no respite for the governor and the deputy governor.  They headed straight to another meeting that lasted till about 1a.m. After that, Sanwo-Olu called another meeting “to review the situation”.

He went to bed at about 3 am. Amid the meetings, the governor was consulting with Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu. To the Police Commissioner, he issued a warning at every point that no shot must be fired.

Still, the protesters were not pacified.

Early Tuesday, the crowd began to gather again at the Assembly gate. There was a long row of cars and, of course, an army of youths. The music of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – God bless his soul – was blaring in the background.  Young women were wiggling their waists. The men were singing along the musician. There was smoking, and there was drinking

Sanwo-Olu was on his way to the office when he saw the crowd. He drove down to the scene. For minutes, he went round to give as many as possible the “chop knuckle” greeting, stretching out his hand. Beside him was Dr Hamzat. The governor crossed his arms and raised his hand in a Black Power salute.

The crowd responded: “No more SARS.”

Comedian Debo Adebayo, who also goes by the name Mr Macaroni, and Oluwatoyin ‘Woli Arole’ Bayegun, also a frontline comedian, tried to calm the youths.

“What do we want?” “End SARS!” they screamed.

Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat clambered into a truck. The governor spoke frankly and eloquently. As a mark of respect for his identifying with them, they stopped the music and listened.

“Your voice has been heard loudly and actions have been taken from the highest office in the land to address your grievances. It is time for us to move forward and engage further on your demand,” he told them.

The governor spoke of his efforts to settle the crisis, his determination to compensate victims of police brutality and get justice for victims of SARS abuses. Besides, he announced that he would soon be on his way to Abuja to present the protesters’ demands to the President. He would also visit the police chief. He marched with the protesters and displayed a placard bearing the #End SARS message.

About two hours after, the social media was throbbing with pictures of Sanwo-Olu’s visits to President Buhari and IG Mohammed. He drew high praise. In two days, Sanwo-Olu attended about 10 meetings and two demonstrations, flew to Abuja and returned with good news:  President Buhari granted all the youths’ requests.

Those fast-moving days of riveting events might well have been taken from the thriller, Kevin Maurer and Matt Bissonnette’s “No Easy Day,” only that, in Lagos, there is no easy day.  When Sanwo-Olu is not leading his team to deal with one pressing issue or one emergency or another, he is taking the lead in preparing them for the next.

• Omotoso is the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy

Gbenga Omokhunu, Osagie Otabor, Frank Ikpefan, Yinka Adeniran, Ernest Nwokolo, Chris Oji, Toba Adedeji, Sanni Onogu, Eric Ikhilae, AbdulGafar Alabelewe

MAJOR cities in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, witnessed more protests against police brutality on Wednesday. The protests are continuing even when operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are handing over in the states to return to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

In Lagos, protesters defied rain. They laid siege on the Lekki toll gate on the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The protesters grounded vehicular traffic. They chanted “End SARS, END SWAT”, “End Police Brutality”.

Several residents who had to access the toll gate to get to work returned home because of the massive traffic.

The protests also continued in Alausa, Iyana-Ipaja, Ikorodu, Surulere, Lagos Mainland and Apapa. A fire Engine belonging to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was attacked and damaged by some of the protesters at Alausa. The acting head of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, confirmed this in a statement.

According to the protesters at the Lekki-Epe Expressway toll gate, the SWAT is a SARS in another garb.

“The IGP does not seem to understand our grievances. We are not talking about name changing, rather a thorough reformation,” a protester said.

Another protester urged the government to ensure proper remuneration of the policemen.

The protesters’ camps continued to bubble with live Disc Jockeys (DJs), dishing out music to the admiration of the protesters. There were enough food and drinks to keep up the momentum.

Some of the protesters are planning to show England Premiership League matches live at the Lekki-Epe Expressway toll gate. Some were even suggesting on the social media that churches should hold their Sunday services at the protest grounds.

In Iyana-Ipaja and Ikorodu, it was a dancing galore. While the protesters at Iyana-Ipaja danced to the Idris AbdulKareem’s popular ‘Nigeria jagajaga’ lyrics, those in Ikorodu staged dancing competition.

Commissioner of Police Commissioner (CP) Hakeem Odumosu on Wednesday debriefed operatives of the scrapped SARS, Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), Anti-Cultism Squad (ACS) and Raider.

Already all pending investigations and suspects in their custody have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, while their weapons were returned to the state’s armoury.

According to a statement by spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the CP warned them to desist from parading themselves as SARS operatives or any operatives under whatever nomenclature in the state.

Protesters in Anambra State claimed twelve people were killed by policemen. The protesters stormed Awka, the state capital demanding the prosecution of members of the disbanded SARS. They drove and marched through some streets in Awka, the state-owned Anambra Broadcasting Service ABS and the State House of Assembly.

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions, including, “those who killed innocent people must be prosecuted, we will not rest until justice is done”.

The protesters listed some of the communities that mostly lost their sons in the hands of SARS as Onitsha, Oraifite, Awka, Ozubulu, Ihiala, Nando and Aguleri.

At the SARS office in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area, operations were in full swing. Members of SARs were seen in their usual mufti attires with AK -47 riffles, parading the premises.

The Nation gathered that the suspects being held at the SARs office were still there.

Police Public Relations Officer Mohammed Haruna said the Awkuzu SARS office remained the property of the police.

Warri, Delta State, was grounded on Wednesday. Hundreds of protesters took to major roads of Warri and Effurun.

The youths kicked off the peaceful march at about 8 am from the popular Delta Mall in Effurun Roundabout, walked through the Effurun-Warri Sapele Road, stopping at Airport, Jakpa, Enerhen and Deco Junctions, as well as marching on to Estate Roundabout, all in Warri South and Uvwie council areas. The procession caused heavy traffic across the twin cities. Some motorists, business people and pedestrians gave a nod to the movement, cheering them on.

The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as “End Police Brutality,” Stop Killing Us,” End SWAT, End SARS,” We said EndSARS, not change them,” I am a filmmaker, I am not a fraudster. Stop harassing me,” among others.

Security operatives were also spotted monitoring the exercise.

Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, also felt the weight of the protests. Youths stormed the Lugard House seat of government.

The youths who turned out in their hundreds demanded to see the governor. Efforts by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Jamiu Asuku, to plead with them that the governor was at the weekly State Executive Council meeting fell on deaf ears.

According to Bernard Ajewole, spokesperson of the protesting youths, “What we want is beyond disbandment and replacing it with another. Just yesterday, they came to our campus (Prince Abubakar Audu University) Ayingba in their uniforms, where they arrested some students and made them to part with N100,000 before they were released.

“This is happening despite the Inspector General’s directives that members of the disband

ed SARs should report in Abuja for debriefing.

“The youth are gathered here today to give solidarity to fellow youths protesting police brutality across the country.

“We want Nigerian police that is refined enough to tackle various acts of criminality without extrajudicial killings,” he said.

In Akwa Ibom State, protesters stormed the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo. Governor Udom Emmanuel thanked them for being peaceful.

“Let me thank all of you for the peaceful manner in which this has been conducted. I want to thank all the youths and all the leaders and also express our concern on what this fight has been all about.

”Let me also appreciate the President of Nigeria who had acted promptly to have announced the disbandment of SARS completely. If the President that we know has given that commitment, I trust that he will keep to it. At the state here, I want to assure you that there will never be anything like police brutality,” he said.

The governor said the state government was engaging the police command in the state to ensure a harmonious relationship among the institutions of government and communities.

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) threw its weight behind the protests. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB commended the youths for putting aside their ethnic and religious differences to protest the excesses of SARS operatives and police officers in general.

“IPOB gives kudos to all those involved in the on-going #ENDSARS protest all over the British created contraption. We are happy that at last the youths of this generation have come to terms with the brutal reality of life in Nigeria which we saw many years back,” the group said.

Oyo Assembly honours Jimoh Isiaka, two others

In Oyo State, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday observed a minute silence for Jimoh Isiaka and two other dead victims of the #EndSARS protest that rocked the ancient city of Ogbomosho on Sunday.

The honour for the victims of the protest followed a request made to the House by the lawmaker representing Ogbomosho North state constituency, Mrs Olawumi Oladeji when she raised a matter of urgent public importance on the “Urgent Need to Investigate Killing of Jimoh Isiaka During the ‘End SARS’ Protest in Ogbomosho and Invasion of Soun’s Palace by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums”.

The Assembly called on Governor Seyi Makinde to order an investigation into the killing of Jimoh Isiaka as well as the invasion of the Soun of Ogbomoso’s palace.

RCCG: SWAT should not be old wine in a new bottle

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) said the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) should not be a glass of old wine in a new bottle.

Assistant General Overseer, (Administration and Personnel), Pastor Johnson Odesola, said: “The Church welcomes the disbandment of the SARS, and notes the establishment of a new outfit called the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) but warned that it should not become a case of old wine in a new bottle.

“The Church reiterated its call on Government to take urgent steps to tackle the rising rate of unemployment, decay in the nation’s educational system and the general harsh economic situation in the country.”

He appealed to the protesters to comport themselves orderly and eschew violence and destruction.

North’s coalition set to begin expanded protest today

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) yesterday directed all its chapters across the 19 northern states to begin an expanded #ENDSARS protests across the region today.

A statement by the coalition’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said: “CNG has followed developments around the bold and necessary steps taken by Nigerian citizens in some parts of the country including some northern states to call attention to the deteriorating national security and other pressing concerns around the dwindling economy, prohibitive commodity prices, rising inflation amidst mounting poverty and prolonged stay at home by university students.”

We need state police now, says Ekweremadu

Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to decentralise the police.

Ekweremadu regretted that the Bill to amend the constitution to create state police, which he sponsored in the 8th Senate as well as the current Senate, had not received the required political support.

Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, said the Federal Government was still addressing the symptoms rather than the real illness.

Ganduje to Buhari, IG: flush out bad elements

Kaduna State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to flush out the bad elements in the police.

Ganduje joined hundreds of youths who gathered at the Government House gate to support the ongoing police reforms.

“We are calling on the president and the police IG to fish out those bad elements within the police force. This will pave the way for an intelligent and reformed security institution.

“We appeal to the IGP that the reformation, through SWAT, should be consolidated to protect the Nigerian people.”