The Nation Newspaper

Tag: protest

  • Protest: Commercial tricycle operations suspended

    The Plateau State government has slammed an indefinite suspension on commercial tricycle operators, popularly called Keke Napep, in Jos, the capital.

    The ban covers Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

    The suspension followed yesterday’s protest by the riders, which turned into a riot. They were said to be protesting exorbitant taxes imposed on them by government agents.

    The protesters carried green leaves and declared a stay-at-home for their members.

    But a faction refused to obey the stay-at-home order.

    Some youths, posing as the association’s executive members, started harassing those defying the order.

    Tricycles and other vehicles were smashed and a clash ensued between the hoodlums and security agents who came to arrest them.

    Following the chaos, the government announced a suspension of commercial tricycle operations in the city.

    A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services Cornelius Shoibail, said: “The Plateau State government has observed with dismay, how Keke Napep operators have taken laws into their hands in Jos metropolis.

    “In view of this, the government has suspended their operations in Jos Bukuru metropolis till further notice, starting from Monday (yesterday). The public is advised to go about their lawful business and security operatives are to take note.”

  • Charly Boy leads protest to NNPC

    Charly Boy leads protest to NNPC

    Notable entertainer, Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charly Boy, on Wednesday led the ‘Ourmumudondo’ group, on a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over lingering fuel scarcity across the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group said the protest was necessary for the NNPC and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector to know that Nigerians were tired of the fuel predicament.

    He said:  ”For over three months, Nigerians have endured agonizing fuel scarcity crisis, which has caused a hike in the prices of commodities, cost of transportation and wastage of man-hours spent on queues daily at petrol stations.

    “The lingering fuel scarcity has now brought untold hardship on the ordinary Nigerian people who may not be able to hold those in charge responsible.

    “We at the OurMumuDonDo Movement have decided to ensure that the President, the NNPC and other stakeholders in the oil sector are compelled to find a lasting solution to this current crisis.

    “Let them do something urgently to abate the sufferings of Nigerians, not just in Abuja alone, but across the country,” he said.

    NAN reports that leaders of some other Civil Society Groups also joined the Ourmumudondo peaceful protest to the NNPC headquarters.

    Mr. Ariyo Dare-Atoye of the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy, said Nigerians across different states were buying fuel at exorbitant prices, far above the official pump price of N145 per litre.

    “It is unacceptable that government and its agents would to `normalise’ the scarcity, while Nigerians are buying fuel at cut-throat prices in different states.

    “It is the duty of leaders to take responsibility and serve the interest of the people, no matter what it takes, and that is what we are demanding from the NNPC and leaders at all levels,” he said.

    Also, Mr Deji Adeyanju of the Concerned Nigerians urged the NNPC to apply inclusive approach in addressing the fuel challenge.

    “The Federal Republic of Nigeria is not limited to Abuja, as millions of citizens are still struggling to get fuel at exorbitant prices in different parts of the country.

    “If the situation appeared insurmountable, then the NNPC should convene stakeholders meeting for ideas on how to collectively stop this lingering challenge facing Nigerians, “he said.

    The group therefore handed a letter containing t its grievances and demands, addressed to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru.

    Mr Ndu Ughamadu, Head of Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, who received the letter on behalf of the GMD, commended the group for its genuine concern towards the welfare of Nigerians.

    He therefore assured the group that their demands would be looked into accordingly, and added that the Corporation was doing everything possible within its reach to ensure that fuel was always available for Nigerians.

  • Worshippers protest lockout by police

    Worshippers protest lockout by police

    MEMBERS of Embrace International Church in Erunwon, Ikorodu, Lagos, were on Sunday locked out by the police.

    The  church was shut  because of a face-off between their pastor, Reverend Isaac Adeyemi, and authorities of Foursquare Gospel Church. Adeyemi was a priest in Foursquare before he left for the church.

    The worshippers protested against what they called the  ‘’illegal’’ closure of their church, accusing Foursquare of using the police to intimidate their pastor.

    But, Foursquare denied the allegation, saying it was only trying to stop Adeyemi and his supporters from gaining access to its property.

    Carrying placards with  inscriptions, such as ‘’Foursquare, leave our church alone,” “Freedom of worship threatened by police,” “Embrace International Church is different from Foursquare Church,’’ “Foursquare, say the truth, stop lying,’’ the worshippers lined the road to the church, protesting.

    They said the matter was in the Court of Appeal and wondered why the police were in such a hurry to act.

    Our correspondent, who was at the church, sighted a detachment of men of Ikorodu Police Division at its entrance.   Another team of policemen from the Lagos State Police Command was inside the church building.

    The Ikorodu policemen  left  on sighting reporters.

    The protesters’ spokesman, Mr Samuel Turoti, condemned Foursquare for allegedly instigating the police to seal off the church when the matter is in court.

    He said the injunction Foursquare was wielding  was not against their church, but  Adeyemi.

    Adeyemi, he said, was until a few years ago the pastor of a nearby Foursquare parish before he was suspended. Adeyemi then  became the pastor of their church, Turoti added.

    He said: ‘’ What we saw on Thursday was uncalled for because the police came here at about noon to lock out members of this church and seal off the church building as a result of a court injunction they wanted to enforce on a member of the church, of which the said injunction is not against the entire church.

    ‘’This injunction has been appealed and all the parties involved in the suit were duly served including the plaintiff (Foursquare Gospel Church). Once an injunction is appealed, those involved in the suit must stop further actions until the appeal is heard or determined.  Now, the appeal has not been determined, yet police have come to lock up our church, so that is where the problem lies and what the police did was illegal.

    “I don’t know the grouse Foursquare Church has against Revd Adeyemi, all I know is that they claimed he has been suspended and that he should leave the church. But you can’t take what you don’t actually own; the major problem is that Foursquare Church wants to lay claim to our church building. Unfortunately for Foursquare, the document of the land on which the church was built does not confer ownership on them as they did not contribute a dime to the acquisition of the property and construction of the building on it’’.

    Reacting,  National Secretary of Foursquare Gospel Church the Reverend Ikechuku Ugbaja said the protesters were not saying the truth.

    Ugbaja, who spoke with The Nation on phone,  said Adeyemi was suspended for alleged gross misconduct and taken to court when he continued to misbehave  even after apologising to  the church.

    He said: “In Foursquare Gospel Church, all the ministers are temporarily employed; they can be transferred, disciplined and fired. He (Adeyemi) refused to answer his last official query and was transferred to another church but he refused to go. He began to remove things that have resemblance to our church and was converting our church to his own property.

    ‘’He was therefore dismissed and it (disclaimer notice) was published in the newspapers. He was taken to court and the court gave a restraining order restricting him, his agents and cohorts from entering the church building. He refused to obey the court order until we went back to the court following which court bailiffs were accompanied by policemen to lock up the place.”

  • Protest over hike in Lekki Toll flops in Lagos 

    Protest over hike in Lekki Toll flops in Lagos 

    An attempt to stage a protest on Friday February 9, 2018 at the  Lekki-Epe Expressway toll gate of Lekki Concession Company (LCC) against the Lekki toll review failed, as the anti-Lekki toll review protest led by convener, Mr. Dotun Hassan, could not muster enough public support with only a handful of people showing up.

    The convener, who had been mobilising residents of Lekki throughout the week to join the protest, arrived at the Lekki Phase 1 gate at about 9.00 a.m. as against the 7.00 a.m. convergence time he advertised to meet four other protesters and a couple of journalists invited to cover their protest. Addressing the journalists, Dotun Hassan told reporters that it is important and constitutional to make their voice heard, while demanding for total cancellation of tolling at the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge.

    After the address, the small group of protesters and media moved from the Lekki Phase 1 gate through Admiralty Road within Lekki Phase 1 and dispersed at about 10.30 a.m. after a short protest.

    Officers of the Lagos State Police Command deployed to maintain law and order ahead of the Lekki toll protest displayed professionalism and control of the situation while keeping the peace and conveying a sense

    of security to law-abiding citizens going about their normal business.

    It would be recalled that the Lekki Concession Company had announced the review in tolls at the Admiralty Circle Plaza at the Lekki Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza with effect from Thursday, February 1, 2018 after extensive consultation with stakeholders in the Lekki-Epe/Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The management of LCC had taken into consideration the advice of Traditional Rulers, Community Development Associations (CDA), Youth Organisations, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Residents Associations and sundry groups in arriving at the toll review necessitated by current economic and business realities that are adversely increasing the cost of operations.

  • Electricity pensioners protest non-payment of 33% increase

    The Coordinator of Concerned Group of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Electricity Sector, Comrade Timothy Akintola, has urged the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to pay their members 33 per cent pension increase.

    Akintola spoke during the group’s protest at PTAD Liaison Office in Lagos to present its letter to PTAD management.

    The activist said the 33 per cent pension increase is a constitutional issue that should not be withheld or altered to the disadvantage of any pensioner.

    He said: “The NUP’s electricity sector pensioners have not been paid their 33 per cent since 2010. This is not fair as ministries and corporations have been paid. They are collecting their emoluments monthly.

    “All we are asking for is for PTAD to start the implementation of the 33 per cent of the pension increase for our members.”

    Akintola said the arrears from 2010 should be computed and paid to members, adding that it would alleviate their suffering.

    Chief Ebenezer Jebutu, a member of NUP’s Electricity Sector’s National Trustee Caretaker Committee, said the committee supported that 33 per cent of pension increase and arrears be paid to them.

    He said the committee knew that there were crises in the union, adding that this should not deny the concerned groups their pension rights.

    Mr. Kolawole Lateef, the Secretary of NUP’s Electricity sector in Ijora chapter, said they wanted their 33 per cent to be paid in full as had been paid to other ministries and corporations.

    He said their members had been captured by PTAD, adding that there should be no further delay in the payment of their pension.

    Prince Moses Adewale, a member of Lagos Island chapter of NUP’s Electricity sector, said most of their members had died while waiting to be paid the pension increase.

    He said the 33 per cent was their right and should be implemented so that they would enjoy the labour they had put in for years.

    Mrs. Funmilayo Onafowokan, the Director at PTAD Pension Support Services Department in the Lagos Liaison Office, met with the concerned group officials.

    The PTED official said the agency had discussed and resolved the issues.

    She said: “We have been in a meeting for the past one and a half hours. The complaints were brought to the table and PTAD has responded to them. The pensioners’ grievances will be attended to.”

  • RUGIPO students protest ‘No fees, no exam’ policy

    RUGIPO students protest ‘No fees, no exam’ policy

    Attempts by the management of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO) to bar school fees defaulters from the examination halls turned ugly.  Students are saying those responsible should be punished reports Eniola Olurankinse (RUGIPO).

    There was pandemonium at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), in Ondo State on Monday, following the violent protest by students measures over the polytechnic authorities’ “no school fees, no examination” policy.

    Students yet to pay their fees were not allowed to sit for the second semester examination, which is the final examination in the 2016/2017 academic session.

    While students in the School of Business were to pay N48,000, those in other schools were to pay between N60,000 and N70,000 for the session.

    The school management announced the policy last Friday, January 19, ahead of its commencement on Monday.

    A circular to that effect warned the exam invigilators to ensure that defaulters were not allowed into the hall.

    The circular reads in part: “To ensure strict compliance of its policy and smooth conduct of the exterminations exercise, the school authority has set up a task force to guard against any form of agitation by the students.

    “Members of staff are equally advised not to cooperate secretly with any student to go against the order given by management either through bribery or in kind as such act would attract proper sanction.”

    After they were driven out of their various exam halls, the angry students went berserk and started throwing stones and sticks into the halls, while the examinations were ongoing, and at other facilities and property they could attack.

    Attempt by the Rector, Mr Idowu Ologunagba, to calm the students proved aborwas futile as his promise that they would write their examination the next day fell on deaf ears.

    His expression of displeasure and condemnation of the students’ action did nothing to deter them.

    By the time there was calm, after security agencies intervened, the students had destroyed school and private properties worth millions of naira.

    The institution’s ICT complex was the worst hit – computers were smashed, while chairs and tables were broken. The glass windows were not spared. Many vehicles belonging to lecturers and others did not escape damage as their windscreens were smashed.

    The examination was suspended and students directed to vacate the campus till further notice.

    Reacting to the protest, the chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), RUGIPO chapter, Mr Rafiu Ijawoye, described the students’ action as “embarrassing, displeasing, and unacceptable”.

    Ijawoye further accused the school authorities of not providing enough security for members of the union as promised by the management, ordering ASUP members to stop academic activities till further notice.

    A lecturer who preferred anonymity said the management’s decision was ill-timed.  He said the first semester of 2017/2018 academic session would have been the right time to execute such law.

    Condemning the students’ action, the Students’ Union President, Emmanuel Temitayo, said  no member of his executive committee participated in the protest.

    Temitayo said the school management during the first semester granted the Students’ Union‘s request to allow students pay tuition fees instalmentally; it was also agreed that by second semester all students must have paid their school fees before the examination.

    “We must join hands with the management in order to get the tuition fees from students who are not ready to pay.  As we all know there is no free education anywhere in Nigeria, therefore the need for students to pay their tuition fee as at when due,” he said.

    However, some of the students who spoke with Campus Life faulted the Students’ Union for collaborating with the management on the policy without consulting with the students.  They attributed the non-payment of school fees to the economic meltdown in the country.

    Fidelix David, president of the National Association of Social Sciences and Communication Studies Students, said the “no fees, no exam” policy was strange to students.

    “How can the management start a war they can’t end? Actually, that policy is not the best option for the students considering the fact that they are not used to such policy from the beginning. That is what actually bred the protest leading to destruction of property.

    “The management should have adopted the policy of not marking their booklet after the exam rather than no school fees, no examination policy,” he said.

    Supporting management’s stand, the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union, Oluwatobi Samuel, said: “The System (school) is collapsing.  The only IGR the school has is the tuition fees from students. In a situation where we have less than 30 per cent of what is paid, that is bad. How do you want the school to survive? No how.

    “Students went too far. Had it been  it was a peaceful protest, it would still be okay and the management would reorganise.”

    He further said:’’When they were having the initial protest, before it turned to a riot and daylight robbery, the management was having a change of mind, to the extent that the Rector came out and addressed everyone and assured them that they would all write exam the next day. I don’t know what came over them (students). The level of property damage is too worrisome and bad.

    “The institution’s ICT is gone. Properties worth billions gone, a lot of lecturer‘ cars were damaged, to the extent that I’m crying personally. The damage is too much.

    “To me, I stand by it – ‘No Tuition Fees, No Examination’.”

    In an interview, a former Students’ Union leader, Adedayo Oluodo, said there was no reason for the violence.

    “First the students have no legitimate grounds to go on a riot or protest against the management. They could have had a peaceful demonstration to appeal to the conscience  of members of management.

    “The students’ action is an outright display of sabotage of government’s and management’s development effort and cannot and should never be condoned by management or the Students’ Union body,” he said.

    Another student who did not want to be named lamented the consequences of the protest – more days at home and payment of a penalty.

    “A peaceful protest should have been the best thing which could have been demonstrated in different ways.  We are students and we should know how to make our grievances known, every agitation should not lead to destruction of property.

    “Now they will be home for weeks before they are called back which will prolong the period which they ought to graduate. I mean for the finalists (ND 2 and HND 2). In this period where you are unable to pay school fees you will be running around for reparation fee which is very bad,” he said.

  • Lecturers stage one-day sit-in protest

    Lecturers stage one-day sit-in protest

    Lecturers at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, on Tuesday, staged a one-day sit-in strike, to protest alleged non-promotion of staff, among other grievances.
    The placard-carrying lecturers massed in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office chanting slogans.
    Some of the placards read, “Our Mumu Don Do”, “Lead or leave”, “Sunset in Tetfund”, “Bad Regime the Road to Precipice, Misery and Depression”.
    The demonstration which began around 8am, jolted the students who had arrived the premises earlier, in the hope that lectures will continue uninterrupted despite the ongoing strike by the members of the local chapter of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), including the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
    Addressing pressmen on some the issues, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, FUL (ASUU-FUL), Dr Anselm Oyem, said the protest will end by 4pm, adding that the response of the university administration will determine their next step of action.
    He said that the union had in the past tabled its grievances before the authorities, but are yet to be addressed on steps being taken to redress them.
    Addressing newsmen during the sit-in, Dr Oyem said that they will no longer remain silent over the lack of response of the management team to their grievances.
    “Our rights and privileges are being tampered with. Since 2016, no promotion to professorship despite there are many qualified for it. Also, lecturers with masters degree are yet to be upgraded to their deserving position. Same goes for other ranks.
    “TETFUND monies are being withheld by the management thereby causing difficulties for lecturers who are to benefit from its scholarship to access it.
    “Since NASU commenced strike, we clean ad sweep our offices by ourselves, just because we don’t want the school calendar to be truncated.
    “Our departmental running cost are not release. For a while now the management had sit on our impress”.
    Addressing the protesting lecturers on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice, Prof. Makanjuola Oshagbemi, said that the issues tabled were being looked into.
    He said those within the ambit of the management will be addressed, and the second part of the demand that they tabled, “which are not entire ours to handle, we will help in getting resolved.
    Item said that the school management had turned deaf ears to their demands and refused to respond to their numerous letters stating  their demands.
    The students were seen standing around the school premises in groups, while some formed into tutorial classes.
  • Stephanie Linus takes human trafficking protest to Italy

    Stephanie Linus takes human trafficking protest to Italy

    IN view of the increased rate of human trafficking being experienced by Nigerians trying to migrate to Europe via Libya, actress and film producer Stephanie Linus visited Italy recently to give support to rescued people and raise her voice against human rights violations.

    Her intervention is in partnership with the world-renowned international medical humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

    Over the next few days, Mrs. Linus will visit the rescue ship ‘Aquarius’ to witness their activities and operations. Later, she will have meetings with some of the vulnerable women; participate in rehabilitation exercises for the rescued women, media parleys and stakeholder meetings with the aim of alleviating their sufferings and preventing more girls and women from falling prey.

    Doctors Without Borders is one of the most impactful humanitarian organisations that rescues thousands of people who faced hazardous conditions trying to enter Europe through the sea yearly. In 2017, the Aquarius (a rescue ship) rescued 15,078 people.

    Mrs. Linus has been at the forefront of advocacy over sensitive issues that affect the rights of women and girls. She has done this through several channels such as her advocacy movie – DRY, her role as UNFPA Ambassador; her charity organization, Extended Hands Foundation and many more.

    An increasing number of women, mainly from Nigeria, are being trafficked to Europe for sexual exploitation. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), there has been an almost 600% increase in the number of potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy by Sea since 2014. Many of these women were kidnapped against their will or lured with the promise of greener pastures.

  • 150 doctors protest kidnap of colleague

    150 doctors protest kidnap of colleague

    Over 150 doctors from private, public, missionary hospitals and tertiary institutions in Cross River State, yesterday, protested in Calabar the kidnap of their colleague, Dr Emem Udoh.

    Udoh, a senior registrar in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, was kidnapped on Monday in Calabar.

    The doctors, who wore black, threatened on Tuesday to stop work because six of their colleagues and relations had been kidnapped in the last few months.

    They had, however, celebrated the release of their colleague, Dr Usang Ekanem, on Sunday.

    Ekanem, who works in Cross River College of Education Medical Centre in Akamkpa Local Government Area, was kidnapped on December 26.

    The aggrieved doctors, who protested on major streets in Calabar to the Government House, condemned the government’s approach to abduction of doctors in the state.

    Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Chairman Dr Effiong Mkpanam said all hospitals would remain closed until their colleague is released.

    Mkpanam urged the government to address security challenges in the state.

    “We are not safe and we want people to know that we cannot go to work because we are not safe. We want unconditional release of Dr Emem Udoh who is a nursing mother and until she is released, all the doctors in Cross River State will sit at home.

    “Anybody who wants medical treatment should go to the neighbouring states,” he said.

    The chairman decried insecurity in the state, adding that Cross River is no longer safe for residents and tourists.

    NMA spokesman Dr Ernest Ochang said doctors in the state would sit at home anytime a doctor or a relation was kidnapped.

    “The litmus test for any leader is security and safety of its citizens. But when we are not safe, we dare say that the government has failed the litmus test. The government, however, has the litmus test of redeeming itself by ensuring the release of Dr Emem Udoh. If Udoh is brought back today, we will resume work today. But until then, anyone seeking medical attention in Cross River State should go to neighbouring states,” he said.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ms Tina Agbor, said government was working to secure release of the abducted doctor.

    Agbor noted that Governor Ben Ayade is unhappy about the security situation.

    “It is unfortunate that soon after one of the doctors was released, another one was abducted, and this time, a woman. I am a woman and right now, the Security Adviser to the Governor is on the streets trying to solve this problem. You did not need to come here to remind us of our duty because we are doing something about it,” she said.

  • Libya returnees protest non-payment of stipend

    Libya returnees protest non-payment of stipend

    The 373 Edo indigenes, who were among the 481 Nigerians returned from Libya on Sunday, are protesting the non-payment of stipend for their transportation back home.

    Among them are 73 women, some of who are expectant mothers.

    They arrived Benin City about 1:30a.m. and were lodged at the Motel Benin Plaza by the Edo State government.

    At 7:30a.m., the returnees were seen buying snacks, while those without money begged passersby before the government brought food for them.

    Many of them looked unkempt, haggard and hungry.

    Some of them said they had been in an underground cell for more than six months.

    They were made to undergo medical check-up, including screening for HIV/AIDS.

    What led to the protest was that were told there was no money made available for them after they had undergone biometric by the government.

    Some of the girls said they had been asked to vacate their hotel rooms for other Libya returnees expected to arrive the state today.

    They said they were informed that money was to be given to them to enable them pay their fares home.

    Blessing Gilbert, a divorcee, wondered how she would get to Auchi, her hometown, without any money.

    “This is very bad. Do they want me to trek to Auchi? I spent eight months in Libya prison and now I am told to trek home.”

    Another girl, who gave her name as Grace, said she was surprised when she was told that no money would be given to them.

    Grace said previous returnees were given N45,000 on arrival in Lagos State.

    Some of the boys vowed that they would not leave their hotel room until they were given money to pay their fares home.

    The hotel was besieged by parents and individuals whose relatives are in Libya.

    Those who saw their relatives expressed joy and openly danced.

    Madam Aisagbonbuomwan  Anna, who hugged her daughter, Blessing Sunday, said she never believed she would see her daughter again.

    She said she had not heard from her daughter for the past six months until last Sunday when she got a call that her daughter was in Port Harcourt.

    Her daughter told reporters that she opted to seek greener pasture in Europe to improve her family’s economic condition.

    She said she spent N500,000 to travel to Libya and ended up spending months in prisons.

    “I am happy to return alive. In the prison, we cannot make calls. Police sold people and rearrested them again to be sold.”

    Lucky Iyamu, who hugged his son when his wife brought him, said 230 blacks were shot dead the day he was arrested.

    He said he gave up after a bullet narrowly missed his ear and hit the wall.

    His words: “I wanted to go to Europe to see if I can make more money. I left with N850,000 but didn’t make it out of Libya. We were 24 that eventually surrendered that day. Others staying in that ghetto were killed.

    “It is a pity that Libyans do not travel out of their country. I would have dealt with anyone I see in Nigeria the way they treated blacks.”

    Reacting to the protest, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, said it was the Federal Government’s fault that money was not provided.

    He said the United Nations provided fund for previous returnees but the Federal Government did not make any fund available except to bring Nigerians from Libya.

    Edo State government has begun payment of little stipend to the 373 Libya returnees, to enable them go to their destinations.

    The payment started after the returnees threatened to cause trouble at the Motel Benin Plaza where they were lodged and their biometric obtained.

    They were alarmed that they were asked to go home without any money, whereas previous returnees were paid N41,000.

    To douse tension, the  government  mobilised and started payment equivalent to the destination of each returnee.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Strategy Mr. Crusoe Osagie said the government was not aware that the Federal Government did not make any money available for the returnee.

    He said the International Organisation on Migration and the Federal Government were responsible for returning Nigerians from Libya.

    Osagie said: “The European Union made €100 available for each Nigerians under the IOM returning programme. When they get here, they get N41,000 given to them in Lagos.

    “The Federal Government in its programme is not giving any money to returnees. Anybody who returned under the Federal Government is not getting any money. The Federal Government is returning migrants through Port Harcourt, while the IOM is returning Nigerians through Lagos.

    “Edo State government is trying to provide something for them and has started making payment to enable them visit their relatives. The little money is relative to where they are going to. It is not big money at all.

    “The returnees should be calm. We did not know that the Federal Government was not going to make any provision.”