The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , is currently meeting some former Nigerian leaders .
Although the agenda of the meeting is not made public , issues bordering on the current security situation in the country are believed to top the agenda .
While Buhari is presiding from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa , Abuja , some former Nigerian leaders are participating virtually .
Those participating virtually include General Yakubu Gowon (retd . ); former President Olusegun Obasanjo ; Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar ( retd . ); former President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Ernest Shonekan .
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd . ); Chief of Defence Staff , General Gabriel Olanisakin ; Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu ; Director -General , Department of State Services , Yusuf Bichi; and Director – General , National Intelligence Agency , Ahmed Rufai , among others are attending with the President .
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said he called President Muhammadu Buhari, to inform him of the killings of #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, by the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, but was told he was not available.
“I made calls to the President twice yesterday but was told he wasn’t in the office. The second time he was said to be at the FEC meeting; I haven’t spoke to him directly but I have reached the Chief of Staff to the President”, he said in an interview with Arise TV.
When asked to explain why CCTV at Lekki Toll Gate was removed before the dastardly act, he said:
“The cameras removed were not security cameras, it is a laser camera for cars; it picks tags for cars and plate numbers; it is not a security camera; it is an infrared camera; security cameras are still available and that is what we are using for our own investigation.
“They did the removal because of curfew. As regards the light LCC put off the light because of the curfew order issued by Lagos State Government. I have never spoken to the owner of the company ( Tinubu’s son), I am very certain their decision was purely a corporate decision.
“I will not stop to continue to apologize to Lagosians. Is it possible to make CCTV footage public; Sanwo-Olu agreed to make the phone call public.”
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki , has issued a 48 – hour ultimatum to fleeing inmates from the Medium Security Correctional Centres on Sapele Road and at Oko , Airport Road, to return to the prisons .
Some hoodlums had hijacked the # EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings earlier in the week.
The rampaging hoodlums had attacked the two prisons and freed about 2 , 000 inmates.
But while inspecting the two vandalised correctional facilities on Wednesday , Obaseki said the freed inmates must return before Friday, October 23 , 2020 .
In a statement signed by Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to the governor, Obaseki said the level of destruction in the state was never in the spirit of the # ENDSARS protests but the action of criminal elements who have now caused unrest in the state .
The statement was titled, ‘ Benin jailbreaks : Obaseki inspects correctional facilities , issues ultimatum to fleeing inmates’ .
It quoted Obaseki as saying , “ This is not in the spirit of # ENDSARS protests. The protesters were focused on reforming the police system not to destroy prisons and release inmates . You can tell that there was some criminal intention behind these acts.
“ We condemn the act wholeheartedly and even the # ENDSARS protesters have joined us in condemning this act . Government can ’ t sit down , fold its hands and allow a breakdown of law and order in our society because everyone will be affected.
“ We know some of the inmates have been released but we appeal to all inmates who have escaped to come back on their own before the close of business on Friday. They should report themselves back as nothing will be done to them but failure to do that , we will come after them as we have their records . ”
“ Controller of Correctional Services in the state , Babayo Maisanda , who took the governor and top security agencies round the damaged custodial centers , said the total number of escapees is 1818 , ” the statement added .
“ We were overwhelmed by these hoodlums who were armed. We heard of their coming and informed other security agencies to come to our aid but didn ’ t see them. We were eventually overpowered , ” Maisanda was quoted in the statement .
Again , the National Examinations Council has announced the rescheduling of the papers meant for Thursday , Friday and Saturday, attributing it to circumstances beyond its control .
This would be the second time NECO would be rescheduling the examination this week , the first being on Sunday .
The organisation said the affected papers would now be scheduled for November 17 , 18 and 2020 , while the timetable for the papers would be made available subsequently.
NECO Head of Information and Public Relations Division , Azeez Sani , made the announcement in a statement .
He said , “ This is to inform the general public and especially candidates that NECO has been constrained by circumstances beyond its control , to reschedule the papers meant for Thursday 22 October 2020 , Friday 23 October 2020 and Saturday 24 October 2020 .
“ The affected papers are now scheduled for November 17 , 18 and 19 2020 . The examination time table for these papers will be made available subsequently.
“ These changes were due to the security challenges , which led to the imposition of curfew and closure of schools by some state governments , in order to safeguard lives and properties . In the circumstances, it has become difficult for the council to move examination materials across the country.
“ The council prays that the examinations will continue on Tuesday 27 October 2020 , all things being equal , with the papers as originally scheduled in the examination time table . Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted. ”
Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, has politely rejected a gift of N90m by Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde for renovation his palace which was attacked by hoodlums during #EndSARS protest in the town.
The monarch turned down the gift in a letter dated October 19, 2020, addressed to Governor Makinde. The governor had pledged a donation of N100m for the repairs of the vandalized palace.
Oba Oyewumi explained that the damages incurred during the unfortunate incident would be taken care of by a coordinated community effort of Ogbomoso sons and daughters. The King further stated that a N10m released by the Governor would be added to the contributions of his subjects.
Part of the letter read, “allow me to use this medium to express the appreciation of my people and myself for the kind gesture by Your Excellency in pledging the sum of N100m for the cost of the repairs and renovation of the Palace from the damages of the attack and an immediate disbursement of the sum of N10m”.
“However, subsequent to your visit, and in a gesture truly representative of the good and peace-loving people of Ogbomoso, a coordinated community of Ogbomoso sons and daughters have also taken up the responsibility for the repairs and renovation of their Palace and the repair and renovation work has commenced.”
“In consequence of this development, and the assessment done, there is no need to disburse the balance of the sum of N90m.
“May I reiterate my advice during your visit that avenues and opportunities to engage our teeming youth who are largely unemployed or underemployed be assiduously explored to keep them meaningfully engaged and not idle. I have no doubt in my mind that under your able leadership this will be done.”
“With respect to the misguided ones who violated the sacred sanctity of Aafin Ogbomoso, as the father of all, they are forgiven for their mistake and misdeed in the knowledge that they have retraced their steps and mended their ways for the future and will no longer allow themselves to be misguided”.
“Once again, my sincere thanks to you for your support and interest in upholding the traditional institution of Oyo State and by extension Yorubaland.”
“May God grant you wisdom and success as you steer the affairs of Oyo State”.
The President of Ghana , Nana Akufo -Addo , has called for dialogue between the Nigerian government and # EndSARS protesters .
He warned that violence was not the solution to the crisis arising from protests against police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria .
Akufo – Addo said he had spoken with his Nigerian counterpart , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ).
The Ghanaian president noted that Buhari is committed to dialogue .
He tweeted , “ I join all well – meaning persons in calling for calm , and the use of dialogue in resolving the # EndSARS impasse in Nigeria . I have spoken with President Buhari , who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform.
“ Violence , be it on the part of the Police or protesters , cannot be the solution . To the families who have lost their loved ones , I express my sincere condolences , and I wish the injured a speedy recovery. ”
The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country with immediate effect .
The IGP , however , exempted those attached to Government Houses , the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives , from the order.
This is coming 10 days after the police authorities disbanded the Special Anti -Robbery Squad , following protests against the squad for high handedness and extrajudicial killings .
The latest directive was contained in a police wireless message dated October 21 , 2020 , addressed to all state Commissioners of Police .
The wireless signal with reference number, CB:4001 / DOPS/ SPU /FHQ /ABU /VOL . / ORDER AND DIRECTIVES , said , “ any commander who violates this order will bear the consequences . ”
The signal , which was signed by the AIPOL, Protect, Force Headquarters , Abuja , read in part, “ Any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without a firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned. ”
It further directed the affected personnel to report to their respective command Commissioner of Police .
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu , has given directive to lower all the Nigeria flags in all government establishments for 3-days.
This is as he suspended all the state activities for 3-days.
His decision came moment when Nigerians are mourning the death of #ENDSARS protesters allegedly killed by the Nigerian soldiers.
His words:
In sensitivity with the mood of the nation at this time, I have directed the following:
1. The immediate suspension of all State activities for 3-days except those connected with governance of security in the State and the management of the current issue.
2. The lowering of the flags in all government establishments for 3-days.
3. The constitution of a 5-man Fact-Finding Committee into the Rules of Engagement ordered & adopted by the Nigerian Army to be headed by a retired military officer not less than the rank of a General.”
In sensitivity with the mood of the nation at this time, I have directed the following:
1. The immediate suspension of all State activities for 3-days except those connected with governance of security in the State and the management of the current issue.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020
2. The lowering of the flags in all government establishments for 3-days.
3. The constitution of a 5-man Fact-Finding Committee into the Rules of Engagement ordered & adopted by the Nigerian Army to be headed by a retired military officer not less than the rank of a General
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 21, 2020
The Presidency has appealed to Nigerians to show understanding with the present regime and remain calm while it tries to implement police reforms .
The call was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , titled, ‘ President Buhari welcomes establishment of judicial panels of inquiry by 13 states to deliver justice for victims of police brutality ’ .
The call for calm came few hours after eyewitnesses claimed armed soldiers opened fire on protesting youths at the Lekki toll gate area in Lagos State .
Reeling out the steps he claimed have so far been taking to address the demands of the protesters , Adesina wrote , “ The Presidency appeals for understanding and calm across the nation, as the implementation of the reforms gathers pace at federal and state levels .
“ The Presidency wishes to reiterate the full commitment of the Buhari administration to the implementation of lasting police reforms in Nigeria . ”
The presidential spokesman claimed that at the last count , no fewer than 13 states have established judicial panels of inquiry as resolved by the National Economic Council to address the question of redress and justice for victims of police brutality across the country.
He listed the states that have done so to include Lagos , Kaduna , Delta , Ekiti , Ogun, Anambra , Enugu , Imo , Plateau , Edo, Nasarawa , Ondo and Akwa Ibom .
The statement added , “ President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes the promptness of these necessary subnational actions , and reaffirms his commitment to supporting the state governments to ensure that justice is achieved for all victims of police brutality in Nigeria .
“ Under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the National Economic Council at its meeting on Thursday October 15 , 2020 resolved to establish state – level Judicial Panels of Inquiry, to investigate allegations of Police brutality and ensure that all erring personnel are brought to justice.
“ Prior to that , the President in June 2019 signed a Bill establishing the Police Trust Fund , to mobilize additional funding for the welfare and equipping of the Nigeria Police Force . Accrual of funding into the Fund , as specified in its enabling Act, has commenced .
“ President Buhari in 2018 approved an increase in police salaries and the police personnel budget has seen a rise from N 288 bn in the 2018 Budget to N417 bn in the proposed 2021 budget ; an increase of 45 per cent .
“ Only on Tuesday , at the commissioning of the Nigerian Police Pension Fund Limited building , the President also reiterated continuous support for both serving and retired police personnel.
“ The President has equally approved the rollout and funding of a new Community Policing Initiative , as part of a larger programme of police reform in Nigeria , aimed at rewriting the rules of engagement between the Force and citizens .
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on its members to remain vigilant following reports of violence in some parts of the territory over the #EndSARS protests.
Chairman of Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, in a statement in Abuja said it has become urgent for journalists to take their safety seriously as few colleagues have narrowly escaped lynching by suspected hoodlums.
“We call on all our members and media practitioners in general in the FCT to take their safety seriously. We have received reports of the near lynching of some journalists but relieved that none was hurt,” the statement said.
According to Ogbeche, journalists should have special numbers of other colleagues and security agencies on speed dial when covering protests and rallies.
He also urged them to wear reflective jackets identifying them as journalists as well as have their identity cards on them.
He advised extreme caution when on live broadcast in tensed areas, stressing that “we must stay alive to report.”
The NUJ FCT Council chairman called on security agencies especially the police to guarantee the safety of journalists at this difficult moment.
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