The Nation Newspaper

Tag: protest

  • Youths protest murder of medical doctor in Imo

    The murder of a medical doctor, Chinonye Nwishi, by gunmen in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Council Area of Imo State has set off a serious protest, with scores of youths in the community taking to the streets.

    According to an eye witness account, the deceased was returning from his clinic located in the area about 9pm when he was accosted by his assailants who first requested for the key of his Toyota Camry car.

    The source further informed that the late Nwishi was said to have been trailed by her assailants who operated on a motor-cycle from Ahiara Junction where his clinic is situated and on getting to Nkwogwu junction to divert to his home, he was accosted by the gunmen.

    The deceased was said to have quickly thrown his car key into a nearby bush as soon as he saw the gangsters, an action that angered the assailants who reportedly pumped bullets into his body and left him dead.

    When the corpse was later discovered by the youths of the community, they went on rampage destroying everything that stood in their way. The protesters who carried placards with various inscriptions demanded from the government that the killers be fished out, wondering why their illustrious son was murdered in a less dignifying manner.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Vitalis Onugu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to investigate the case.

  • Youths protest police brutality in Anyim’s home town

    Youths protest police brutality in Anyim’s home town

    Vehicular and human movement was yesterday disrupted for about two hours along Afikpo- Okigwe Expressway as over 5000 youths from three different communities in Ishiagu Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State staged a peaceful protest against what they described as indiscriminate arrest and prosecution of youths of the community by a team of policemen from Ebonyi State Command.

    The youths carried placards with inscriptions: “IGP, save us from police brutality”, “We are peaceful people”, “Anyim Puis Anyim should stop using police to intimidate us”, “Free our youths from police custody, they are innocent”, among others.

    The youths, who are between the ages of 18 to 35 years and all dressed in black, marched through the Afikpo-Okigwe Express road, chanting songs and called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubarka Mohammed, their state governor, Chief Martin Elechi to intervene in the incident.

    Speaking to journalists, one of the spokespersons of the group, Mr.Emmanuel Chukwu, said they decided to stage the peaceful protest to alert the public on the continuous police brutality and intimidation of their innocent kinsmen.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Sylvester Igbo, stated that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Area had not briefed him on the issue, adding that immediately he is back from his journey he would make further inquiry into the matter.

  • MASSOB threatens protest over Apo Six

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said it will make Nigeria ungovernable, if the case of the six Apo Village, Abuja, traders is not concluded by the end of the year.

    It also declared every June 8, the date the six Igbo traders were killed in 2005, as a work-free day for Ndigbo.

    The organisation explained that this is to signify the injustice Ndigbo allegedly faces in Nigeria.

    MASSOB leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike addressed reporters yesterday in Enugu on the organisation’s plans.

    He said MASSOB would be involved in the matter, which has been in an Abuja High Court for about seven years.

    Uwazuruike noted that justice delayed is justice denied.

    The MASSOB leader decried what he called the application of two variants of the law – one for Ndigbo and another for the others – in Nigeria.

    He cited the example of the condemned preacher, Rev. King.

    According to him, the popular preacher’s case did not last one year before it was concluded.

    He added that King is awaiting execution.

    Uwazuruike solicited accelerated hearing for the suspected killers of the Apo Six.

    The MASSOB leader said gone are the days when Ndigbo were slaughtered like animals and the perpetrators allowed to go scot free.

    Though the families of the slain Apo traders were paid N3million each, Uwazuruike said the money was recommended by the Justice Olasumbo Goodluck Panel of Enquiry as burial expenses for each of the victims.

    He added: “It is not a matter of compensation but a matter of wasting Igbo lives like animals by a category of Nigerians who are interested in killing our people and boasting that nothing will come out of it. The issue is the way they slaughter Ndigbo.”

    The MASSOB leader alleged that the brain behind the killing of the traders has been on bail while the other less privileged seven police officers charged with him are in detention.

    Uwazuruike said: “A man was alleged to have killed six people and he is allowed to walk the streets of Nigeria free. This is not acceptable to us. MASSOB has taken up this matter and Ndigbo wants to see the end of it before this year closes. Justice must not only be done but seen to have been done.”

    The MASSOB leader said he would attend court proceedings whenever the matter reopens.

    “If by the end of this year the case is not concluded and justice is not secured, we will make Nigeria ungovernable for them,” he added.

    The Apo Six, including a woman, were killed by policemen on June 8, 2005, when they were returning from a party.

    The police said they were armed robbers but a commission of enquiry set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, proved the contrary.

    The five men were Igbo while the only woman victim was from Edo State and the fiancée to one of the victims.

     

  • Ekiti residents protest quarry’s location

    Residents of the Olusegun Obasanjo Estate on the Ado-Ikere Road at the weekend protested the citing of the Inland Quarry Nigeria Limited in the area.

    On Saturday, the protesters blocked the dual carriage way, obstructing vehicular movement.

    Carrying placards with inscriptions, such as “Inland stone must be relocated now” and “The quarry has to go for us to live”, among others, the residents gathered on the road as early as 8am, singing various songs.

    They said the quarry’s operations expose them to health hazards and urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to intervene.

    Chairman of the Landlords’ Association Mr. Jide Ogunluyi said: “This is not a situation a human being should try to endure. It exposes us to various health hazards. Its vibratory impact is weakening the foundation of our homes and emission from the factory is affecting our health.

    “The management of the quarry failed to observe safety standards. They did not comply with the 450 metres distance to the residential area as stipulated by the authorities.”

    Ogunluyi urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, the National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Agency (NESREA) and the House of Assembly to stop operations at the quarry.

    A resident of Ayewa Community, which is also close to the quarry, Mr. Amuda Damilola, also complained of the company’s operations.

    Both communities insisted on the quarry’s relocation.

    Prof. Victor Adeloye and Mrs. Mopelola Owoeye, both residents of Obasanjo Estate, alleged that the management of the quarry did not present the true picture of the environment to the government when it obtained an operating license from the ousted administration of Mr. Segun Oni.

    The quarry manager, simply identified as Mr. Omotoso, dismissed the allegation that he lied about the company’s location.

    He said: “We only blast once in a month or six weeks, so this constant agitation is a personal animosity against me. The place where we operate is more than 500 metres from the estate, instead of the between 350 to 400 metres required.

    “We pay over N1 million salary to workers monthly and we are planning to employ more as we expand. I do not know why they are bent on forcing us to close shop, not minding the economic implications of such an action to the state.”

  • Parties protest Okorocha’s two-week holiday

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s declaration of two weeks’ Christmas and New Year holiday for civil servants has drawn the ire of opposition parties and stakeholders.

    They described the “gesture” as another reckless display of power by the Okorocha administration.

    The governor, during an end-of-year meeting with head- teachers, declared a two-week holiday, from today till January 7, 2013.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the long holiday as absurd and unusual.

    The party noted that grounding government and economic activities for the festivities was unproductive.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, said the holidays and jamborees have become the hallmark of the Okorocha administration.

    He added: “It is unusual to declare two weeks’ holiday just to celebrate Christmas. It shows the government has lost direction and purpose.

    “We are tired of the recklessness of this administration, how can they shut government activities for two weeks just to celebrate Christmas it is uncalled for and should be probed.”

    All Nigeria National Party (ANPP) Chairman, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, expressed shock over the declaration.

    He said the government was concealing something from the people.

    Dr Ajumbe added: “The government has no vision. The contractors have not been paid. The only way to escape their wrath is to shut down the government. But this can’t stand for long. The state is yet to recover from the holiday declared to celebrate the governor’s birthday and the anniversary of the Rochas Foundation. And here we are again. It is just laughable.”

    The Acting National President of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Comrade Uche Durueke, described the holiday as the height of insensitivity.

    He said it would have a far-reaching effect on the people and economy.

  • Workers protest non-payment of Xmas bonus

    Workers of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) yesterday protested the non-provision of end-of-the-year package by the commission.

    The protest, which began at 8am on RMFAC’s premises in Abuja, resulted in confusion, which delayed the beginning of work till about 9:16am.

    The workers’ grievance, according to a source, is that the management, which did not give workers end-of-the-year package, is planning to return unspent funds from this year’s budget to the treasury.

    It was learnt that after the protest, union leaders went into a closed-door meeting with the management, which explained that the commission has no financial capability for such privileged payment.

    When our reporter called the union leader of the commission, Comrade Isah Degri, on the phone for comments, he said: “I cannot speak on the phone.”

    The Nation then said: “Sir, you are speaking to me on the phone right now.” Degri said: “Okay, record what I said.”

    The Head, Public Relations Unit, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, said: “There was no riot because workers resumed at 8pm. The contending issue is that there is an ongoing agitation by the union to get end of the year package.

    “It is not in the statute book. It’s something like a privilege. Some agencies give their workers end of the year package. But when we don’t have the wherewithal to give, what do we do?

    “There is an ongoing negotiation between the management and union. Management is trying to make the union see reason that the commission is handicapped. We are explaining to them that we don’t have money.”

  • Floods: Kogi ACN threatens protest over N2b relief fund

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday gave Governor Idris Wada one week to explain how over N2billion donations for flood victims were spent.

    The party threatened to organise a mass protest, if the governor failed to account for the donations.

    In a statement in Abuja by its Chairman Haddy Ametuo, the party accused the Wada administration of using the rice for the flood victims as Christmas and Sallah gifts.

    But Wada faulted the accusation.

    Through his Special Adviser on Media, Jacob Edi, the governor said the “ACN is crying more than the bereaved”.

    Ametuo said: “It has become obvious that Captain Wada is insensitive to the people’s suffering. It will surprise you to hear that more than N2billion realised through various donations to aid and assist those affected by the recent floods in Kogi State are yet to get to them.

    “The recent protest by the flood victims in Lokoja, the state capital, showed that the money for relief and resettlement of those displaced has been cornered into private pockets.

    “The rice for flood victims was used by the Kogi State Government as Sallah gift and is now being used as Christmas gifts with bold inscription: Donated by Dangote, which is unfortunate and shows open diversion.

    “If Captain Wada refuses to address the suffering of the flood victims with over N2billion realised from donors to cater for the affected persons, we are giving the government one week to make it public how the money was spent or ACN will be left with no option than lead a mass protest. Enough is enough of this looting.”

    ACN accused Wada of refusing to treat Kogi State residents fairly as their governor.

    It noted that despite huge funds allocated to the state and the deductions from the allocations to local governments, there was nothing to show for these.

    ACN added: “It is no longer news that this government lacks merit, as seen and witnessed in a state where workers’ salaries are not paid; there is no developmental achievement in all spheres of governance in the state.

    “The only achievement is the private jet and a plane purchased by Idris Wada to boost his air transport business, which has since collapsed, and the N900million property he just acquired in Abuja; that will soon turn into hotel.

    “His deputy also has just bought a hotel, which is popularly known as Grand Mirage and Properties in Abuja.

    “The continued suffering of the masses is evidence that Governor Wada lacks the requisite capacity to pilot the affairs of Kogi State.”

    But Edi said: “The flood is not a political incident. So, it is a shame that the entire leadership of the ACN has a very shallow understanding of the issues around the flood incident. Let them not cry more than the bereaved. The flood victims are part and parcel of the decision on how the funds that came for the management of flood crisis will be administered.

    “Let them not waste time to politicise what is not politics. The fact that they may be able to gather thugs or hire a crowd to come and protest cannot fool anybody.

    “The real victims of the flood disaster are more interested in the plans of the government to address their problems. So, nobody can or will be deceived. We will not stop advising the ACN members to direct their energy into more productive and constructive adventure. We hope they will learn.

    “The allegation that the rice for flood victims was being diverted as Sallah and Christmas gifts is cheap blackmail. We will not dignify them with more response.”

  • Protest at Rivers Govt House

    Youths, under the aegis of Neighbourhood Watch, have protested at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

    Over 2000 protesters gathered at the entrance of the Government House gate, to protest their unpaid salaries.

    They were received by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Fortune Oguru. Their leader, Godknows Bob-Manuel, said: “We’re here to bring to your notice that we are owed eight months of salaries, in case you did not know.

    “We want to appeal to you to give an executive directive that we should be paid. We are hungry sir, and Christmas is around the corner.

    “We were owed three months in 2010 and this year, we have only received salaries just from January to June. July till last month has not been paid to us,” he said.

    The youths were reportedly employed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2008 to assist in providing valuable information to security agencies.

    They were promised N20, 000 monthly.

    Bob-Manuel, said: “Those militants we were fighting against are today friends of the government.

    “Some of them are outside the country, and we are still here, doing risky job to ensure the state is at peace, yet we can’t still get our salaries.

    “Over 12 people have been killed since we began in 2008.

    “There has not been any form of compensation to the families of the deceased, including that of the man, who was carried alive and has not been seen again.”

  • Disabled protest non-payment of salaries

    Over 5,000 physically challenged persons in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday protested the non-payment of their salaries and allowances by the government.

    They barricaded major roads at 9.30am.

    The protest crippled economic activities and obstructed traffic.

    It was learnt security agencies prevented them from entering the Government House.

    They demanded the payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances and the sack of the Governor’s Special Assistant on Disabled Persons, Mrs Kate Okolie.

    The protesters accused the governor’s aide of allegedly diverting the money the government released for the payment of their salaries and other entitlements.

    One of the protesters accused Mrs. Okolie of meddling in the affairs of disabled persons.

    “She wants us to change the name of the organisation, the Joint National Association of People Living with Disabilities to Imo Special Citizens. We can’t do so because we are a national body,” one of the protesters said.

    But the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, said the demonstration was unnecessary.

    He said: “The special citizens, as they are called in Imo, came to the Government House last week and met with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Eze Madumere. They wanted the governor’s Special Assistant on Disabled Persons sacked and replaced with one of them. The government is considering their proposal. Today, they took to the streets, causing havoc and security breach by blocking all entry and exit points in the state capital. It shows that they are not appreciative of the kind gesture of the state government.”

  • Naked women protest youths’ arrest in Edo

    Women in Okpella, Edo State, yesterday marched naked in protest of the arrest of about 30 youths.

    The youths were arrested for vandalising the palace of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

    The youths allegedly burnt two vehicles and vandalised five others belonging to the monarch.

    The women, who covered their bodies with only plantain leaves, marched to the palace and demanded the release of their sons in police custody.

    A source said the plantain leaves fell off when palace guards and youths loyal to the monarch chased the women away.

    The protesters also went to the police station in the locality, but were stopped from entering by a heavy barricade put in place by the police.

    A source said: “The women were in front while armed youths were behind. The women were naked, except for dry plantain leaves they used to cover their breasts and waist region. The whole thing fell out when youths loyal to the palace started chasing them away.”

    It was gathered that some youths vandalised the palace because the monarch, Yusuf Dirisu, failed to dissolve the leadership of the Coalition of Okpella Youths.

    The group was accused of selling employment slots into Julius Berger Construction Company.

    A source said the youths were further irked, when policemen shot one of them in the leg.

    Spokesman for the youths Mohammed Ibrahim said: “Julius Berger is currently constructing the second phase of a cement factory owned by BUA Groups and the youths were demanding more slots.”

    Ibrahim said peace would only return to the community after the unconditional release of the arrested youths and the compensation of those injured by the police.

    The monarch personal assistant, Chief Abdul Ahmed, said: “The youths accused the committee of selling employment slots and the monarch promised to hear from the committee. On the day we were to meet, we were here waiting when we heard stones on the palace roof.

    “The monarch went inside and the youths forced the gate open and started vandalising everything. They destroyed some vehicles and burnt others.”

    Chairman of the Youth Coalition Chief Talib Musa denied selling employment slots.

    He said they shared the available slots among the 10 zones in Okpella.

    The streets leading to the palace were littered with dry plantain leaves and bonfires.

    The police barricaded the road in front of their station and diverted vehicles to other routes.

    It was learnt that the arrested youths had been transferred to the Police Headquarters in Benin.