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Youths protesting against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the now – disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has blocked traffic flow around Secretariat , Ikeja , along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway .

The protest has brought vehicular movements to a standstill as motorists and commuters are trapped in the gridlock .

A protester, Bamidele Oladipupo , said people have been voiceless for too long , adding that the # ENDSARS campaign was a statement that the youths are tired of being treated unjustly in the country .

He said , “ It is a shame that the people do not have a voice in their own country, something is going to spur people to take action and one of the things is the # ENDSARS . If you are a young person in this country , people can just stop you on the road , collect whatever you have on you and label you a criminal , and shoot you .

“ It is happening everywhere on the basis that you are a young person , if you have a little thing as small as a smartphone , you are their victim , so , the people are saying enough is enough . ”

A commuter, Idris Agbabiaka , while reacting to the protesters blocking vehicular movements, said , “ Although, I respect their agitation , blocking of the road is affecting us . I left Ibadan this morning and when we got to the Secretariat area of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway , the protesters have blocked the road . ”

The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the dissolution of the much – dreaded police unit after days of agitation across the country .

However , the protesters are not satisfied with the announcement. They want , amongst other things , the release of arrested protesters as well as a total overhaul of the Police Force .

Spurring the protesters on are Eedris Abdulkareem and Mr . Macaroni among others.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered the police to stay away from protesters in the state in order to forestall further tension and loss of lives .

The governor said this in a broadcast .

Makinde said , “ The past few days have been ones of grief for the people of Oyo State . I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalised as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during these EndSARS protests .

“ As I stated clearly in my earlier statement , peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.

“ Last night , I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State . I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them. We have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters , at this time .

“ Therefore , we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots , especially Ogbomoso , to ensure that as people protest , they will not be harassed or brutalised .

“ I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State , that I am doing everything within my power , to ensure that no further lives are lost .

“ I urge all residents of Oyo State to go about their activities without fear . To the protesters , I say , you can please continue to protest peacefully .

“ These are trying times for all of us and I pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom to navigate through them. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria . ”

A policeman identified as Erinfolami Ayodeji has been reportedly killed by protesters in Lagos State .

The PUNCH gathered that two other cops are in critical conditions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Surulere .

A senior police officer told news correspondent that the protesters sacked the Anti – Kidnapping Section of the Lagos State Police Command at Surulere .

News correspondent learnt that this was after policemen from the Area C Command shot dead a protester.

The Police Public Relations Officer , Muyiwa Adejobi , confirmed the incident .

He identified the deceased as Erinfolami Ayodeji, adding that the command would release a statement soon .

Punch

The Senate has intervened between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS quagmire, saying that the Government should not go into any agreement it cannot implement.

According to the Senate, it was disturbing and worrisome that the Federal Government will sign agreements it knows are difficult and sometimes impossible to implement

Speaking in Abuja when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by its President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi visited him in his office, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan who pleaded with both the government and ASUU should in the Interest of the students who are always the victims, to ensure that it is a give and take situation.

Lawan who urged ASUU members to be prepared to sheathe the sword to end the ongoing strike for students goes back to class said that the situation is not healthy for the country tertiary institutions.

He noted that the meeting was to enable the National Assembly to intervene in the ongoing disagreement between the government and the university governing body to put an end to the strike.

Lawan said: “Both Government and ASUU must find a common ground. We cannot afford to continue in this kind of crisis. This is why our children are forced to go to neighbouring countries like Ghana to school. What about those who can’t afford to send their children out of the country?

“ASUU must be ready to shift ground. It is supposed to be a give-and-take. ASUU cannot get everything it is demanding from the government”, said Ahmed Lawan who noted that he was confident that some of the agreements signed years back have already been taken over by events.

“I am sure ASUU is prepared halfway to meet the goverment to resolve the crisis for good.”

Vanguard

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan , and the principal officers of the red chamber are currently holding a crucial meeting behind closed doors with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities led by its President , Prof . Biodun Ogunyemi .

The meeting would discuss the alternative designed by ASUU to the Integrated Personnel Payroll System by the Federal Government for the payment of civil servants’ salaries .

Punch

THE Federal Government has inaugurated a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of Richard Gbadebo, the 300- level student of the University of Ibadan who died in the course of duty at a factory in Ibadan on July 28 .

A copy of the letter on the inquiry , dated October 5 and received by the Managing Partner , Abope Chambers in Abuja , was made available to journalist in Ibadan .

Femi Aborisade , Managing Partner , Abope Chambers, acting on behalf of the family of late Richard Gbadebo; the Alliance on Surviving COVID- 19 and Beyond in Oyo State ; and the International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network , had on August 24 , written the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr , Chris Ngige , to call for the inauguration of a commission of inquiry into circumstances surrounding Gbadebo’ s death in the course of carrying out his duty at Henkel Nigeria Limited , a subsidiary of Expand Global Industries Limited .

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a letter titled, ‘ Re: Accident investigation into the death of late Richard Gbadebo in the course of working on the Premises of Expand Global Industries Limited (Henkel ) , Ibadan , Oyo State ’ , said the Federal Government had set up the commission .

The letter , signed by the Director , Occupational Safety and Health in the ministry , Mrs. Nneka Adogu, on behalf of the Minister read in part, “ Sequel to your request for a commission of inquiry into the death of late Richard Gbadebo in a fatal accident that occurred at the above named factory on 28 th July and investigation of the accident by Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibadan , a panel of inquiry to investigate into the fatality has been approved and set up by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

“ Please , be informed that sequel to the directives of the minister , more vigorous and robust investigation into the death of the victim will be carried out on the factory premises by the panel . The date for the visit of the panel members will be communicated in due course . ”

Reacting , Aborisade said , “It is a step forward in the struggle for a safe working environment in Nigeria . The setting up of the commission of inquiry may indeed be the first of its kind in the history of industrial relations in Nigeria . ”

Punch

The Federal Government and Organised Labour has met to resume negotiations on the increase in electricity and petrol hikes.

The two parties had met on September 28 where the price hikes were discussed and consensus reached , leading to the inauguration of a seven – man Technical Sub – committee to review the increase in electricity tariff .

The committee which was given two weeks was expected to present its report at the meeting .

Punch

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), has congratulated the governor of Ondo State , Rotimi Akeredolu , on his re – election and urged him to be humble and magnanimous in victory .

Buhari ’ s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , titled “ President Buhari congratulates Rotimi Akeredolu on re- election as Ondo governor. ”

The President was quoted as advising Akeredolu to serve the people of the state better than how he did in his first term .

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for organising credible election.

The statement read , “ President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Rotimi Akeredolu SAN , on his re -election as Governor of Ondo State for another four- year term .

“ The President lauds the resounding victory of the Governor at the election held on Saturday, October 10 , 2020 , noting that the votes garnered ‘ show that one good turn surely deserves another. ’

“ He thanks the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their Governor , and the All Progressives Congress , noting that ‘ the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms . ’

“ President Buhari appreciates the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behaviour .

“ He also gives kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission for organising credible , free and fair election , and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

“ The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory , and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term , noting : ‘ when you serve with heart and might , the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country. ’”

Punch

The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , says a new policing arrangement to replace the now – defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad will be announced “ in due course ” .

Reports says that the IGP has earlier announced the dissolution of the special arm of the Nigeria Police Force .

The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra – judicial killings by SARS, a specialised unit that was created over a decade ago to tackle armed robbery .

Over the years , however , SARS operatives started extorting money from youths driving big cars, using expensive phones , laptops or wearing dreadlocks .

The harassment has on several occasions degenerated to killings .

At the briefing , the IGP said , “The Federal Special Anti- Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory. ”

The briefing was immediately followed by a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba . The statement was titled, ‘ IGP Dissolves The Special Anti -Robbery Squad (SARS)’.

The statement partly read , “ The IGP , while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution , all officers and men of the now – defunct Special Anti -robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect .

“ The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever – present need to combat armed robbery , kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad .

“ He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course .

“ Meanwhile , as part of measures to prevent a re – occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens ’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public .

“ In addition , the Force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Bodies to work with the Police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations .

“ The measure , the IGP believes , will enhance transparency and accountability in police services as well as providing a system of deterrence for erring police officers whose action clearly violates the rights of the citizenry.

Punch

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , says only workers captured on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System platform will be paid salaries .

He said this during the presentation of the proposed 2021 Budget of N13 trillion to the National Assembly .

Before presenting the proposed budget , Buhari gave a breakdown of the performance of the 2020 budget .

He explained that the decision not to pay federal workers not captured on the IPPIS was to reduce personnel cost.

This is coming amidst the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities over IPPIS and other matters.

He said , “ Personnel cost is still our largest single item of expenditure. In the 7 months to 31 st July 2020 , it accounted for 34 percent of total Federal Government spending and is projected at 33 percent of 2021 expenditure .

“ To check the incidence of payments to non – existent personnel and unauthorised allowances , only Federal staff that have been captured on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (‘IPPIS’) platform will receive salaries .

“ All agencies have been directed to ensure that they obtain all necessary approvals before embarking on any fresh recruitment . Any breach of these directives will be severely sanctioned . ”

Punch

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan , has said the National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 Appropriation Bill before the end of 2020 .

Lawan made this known in his opening remarks before the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , was called to lay the national budget before the joint session of the National Assembly .

The Senate President recalled how the parliament promised to pass the 2020 budget before the year ended , which was achieved.

“ The National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 budget before the end of the year , by the grace of God , ” Lawan said .