Fire guts petrol tank, stationary trucks in Lagos

A petrol tanker has been gutted by fire in the Lacasera area of Mile 2 , Lagos State .

Some vehicles around the premises were also reportedly razed by the inferno on Thursday .

The driver was said to be conveying the petrol to a destination in the state when he lost control of the vehicle .

It was learnt that the truck overturned, resulting in a spillage that reportedly burst into flames.

The spokesperson for the state Fire Service , Jamiu Dosunmu , said the fire had been extinguished, adding that the no death was recorded .

The Director - General , Lagos State Emergency Management Agency , Olufemi Oke - Osanyintolu , said some stationary trucks were also affected during the fire incident , adding that efforts were on to evacuate the burnt truck from the road .

Oke - Osanyintolu said , “ The Agency received distress calls concerning the above which occurred around 1 am and activated its emergency response plan.

“ On arrival , it was discovered that a fuel tanker loaded with PMS had overturned and burst into flames due to the oil spillage . This in turn affected some stationary trailers parked inwards Apapa .

“ A combined team comprising Lagos Fire , Police, Federal Fire and Agency Responders have extinguished the flames.

“ Operation to remove the affected vehicles is ongoing while road users are encouraged to use alternative routes . ”

“ On arrival , it was discovered that a fuel tanker loaded with PMS had overturned and burst into flames due to the oil spillage . This in turn affected some stationary trailers parked inwards Apapa .

“ A combined team comprising Lagos Fire , Police, Federal Fire and Agency Responders have extinguished the flames.

“ Operation to remove the affected vehicles is ongoing while road users are encouraged to use alternative routes . ”

Fire guts hostel at Kano College of Nursing

No fewer than 16 rooms at the students ’ hostel of the Kano State College of Nursing and Midwifery have been gutted by fire .

The fire was said to have started during the Muslim evening prayer at about 6 . 20 pm on Wednesday on the third floor of Sa ’ idu Fagge hostel .

It was gathered that the fire started from a toilet .

A source at the college told The PUNCH that the fire raged for over one hour before the arrival of the Kano Fire servicemen .

When contacted, the spokesman for the Kano State Fire Service , Sai ’ du Muhammad , confirmed the incident .

He said investigation had commenced with a view to finding out the cause of the fire and extent of the damage.

16 dead, dozens missing in Vietnam landslides

Sixteen people were killed and dozens left missing Thursday after landslides triggered by a typhoon hit central Vietnam , prompting a desperate search for survivors as the country battles some of the worst weather seen in years .

Typhoon Molave hit villages in the central provinces on Wednesday , reportedly killing two people as it knocked down trees , tore roofs off homes , and brought heavy rain to an area already badly affected by weeks of flooding .

Following two separate landslides on Wednesday , 53 people were reported missing across two villages in Quang Nam province, authorities said . The bodies of 16 of them had so far been pulled from the mud , according to state media .

“ This is a very serious accident , burying many people , ” said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung , adding : “ The route for rescuers to access them is very difficult . ”

Soldiers were among a search team battling to reach the site through fallen trees and mud that had blocked roads , authorities said .

Typhoon Molave was Vietnam ’ s fourth storm this month and forced authorities to relocate around 375, 000 people to safety , cancel hundreds of flights , and close schools and beaches .

It made landfall south of Danang packing winds of up to 145 kilometres per hour ( 85 miles per hour ) , before weakening to a tropical depression on Thursday .

Residents told how they had lost everything in the typhoon.

“ My roof and everything in my house were blown away . Only the frame of the house is left , ” said 64 - year - old Vo Thi Theu from Quang Ngai province.

Twenty - six fishermen were also still missing on Thursday , with helicopters and navy ships deployed to look for their two vessels that disappeared before the storm made landfall .

The typhoon came on the back of weeks of severe flooding and landslides that have claimed 130 lives and damaged or destroyed more than 310, 000 homes , according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ( IFRC) .

Close to 1 . 2 million people were in “ severe danger” and in need of relief , the IFRC warned .

Hoang Phuong Thao , executive director of ActionAid Vietnam , said : “ Typhoon Molave is causing further death and destruction in Vietnam after communities have already had their lives and livelihoods torn apart by the worst flooding we ’ ve seen in decades” .

Vietnam is prone to natural disasters in the rainy season between June and November , with central coastal provinces commonly impacted, but the storms have notably worsened in recent years .

( AFP )

Knifeman kills three in suspected terror attack at French church

A man wielding a knife at a church in the French city of Nice killed three people , slitting the throat of at least one , and injured several others before being apprehended by police , officials said Thursday .

French anti - terror prosecutors have opened an inquiry into what the city ’ s Mayor Christian Estrosi called an “ Islamo -fascist attack . ”

“ He ( the attacker ) kept repeating ‘ Allahu Akbar ’ ( God is Greater ) even while under medication” after he was injured during his arrest, Estrosi told journalists at the scene .

Two victims died at the Basilica of Notre -Dame , in the heart of the city on the Mediterranean coast , while a third person died of injuries after seeking refuge in a nearby bar , a police source told AFP .

Truck driver dies in Lagos accident

A yet - to - be - identified driver lost his life on Thursday during an accident in the Owode -Elede area , along Ikorodu Road , Lagos State .

The driver was said to be driving recklessly when the tragedy struck around 5 . 45 am .

The Director - General , Lagos State Emergency Management Agency , Olufemi Oke - Osanyintolu , said the driver ’ s body had been handed over to his family .

Oke - Osanyintolu said , “ Upon the arrival of the Agency ’ s response team at the incident scene , it was revealed that a truck loaded with iron rods had an accident as a result of overloading and reckless driving on the part of the truck driver , a single adult male.

“ He was discovered to have been trapped in the process and was eventually extricated by agency responders . His body was handed over to his family .

“ The heavy - duty equipment was used to clear the road . The operation has been concluded. ”

#EndSARS: Ganduje reinstates media aide suspended for criticising Buhari

Kano State Governor , Abdullahi Ganduje , on Wednesday night , ordered the reinstatement of his Special Adviser on Media , Salihu Yakasai.

The PUNCH had reported on October 11 , 2020 that Yakasai lambasted the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , for not addressing Nigerians amid national outrage as well as days of online and offline protests against the Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force .

Yakasai, who tweeted through his handle , @ dawisu , had said the President has no empathy for Nigerians by his inaction .

Reacting in a statement , the Kano State Government had described Yakasai’ s comments as “ unguarded utterances ” and suspended him “ with immediate effect ” .

But in a tweet on Wednesday , the state government , @ KanostateNg , wrote , “ H . E Governor Dr . Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR has approved the reinstatement of his Special Adviser on Media , Salihu Tanko Yakasai from his suspension . ”

Lekki shootings: NBA insists on probe, Amnesty releases evidence linking military

The global rights group , Amnesty International , has collated and released a timeline of the killing of # EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos on October 20 .

The AI said its crisis response experts investigated and verified social media videos and photographs that confirmed the security forces were present at the Lekki toll gate when the shootings occurred .

The evidence was published on the group ’ s website on Wednesday .

The Nigerian Bar Association and an activist, Raphael Adebayo , in their separate reactions to Amnesty’ s statement , reiterated their calls for the probe of the Lekki shootings .

The NBA further advised government to stop denying the incident and admit its error .

Youths calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti - Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police had on October 8 begun protests in major cities across the country .

On October 20 , the protests turned violent when soldiers shot protesters at Lekki .

Eyewitnesses said that eight dead bodies of protesters were taken away by the soldiers of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army .

The incident which was also live- streamed by a popular disc jockey showed the soldiers firing at the activists.

The Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo -Olu , in his first reaction to the shootings blamed the incident on forces beyond his control.

Later in an interview with Arise Television , the governor denied inviting soldiers to quell the protests .

But the acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, Maj . Osoba Olaniyi , in a statement on Tuesday , explained that the troops were invited by the Lagos State Government to enforce the curfew it imposed on the state .

Efforts to get the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor , Gboyega Akosile , to react to the military ’ s latest claim did not succeed as he did not take his calls nor respond to a WhatsApp message from The PUNCH, despite viewing the text .

However , a top member of the Sanwo - Olu cabinet said the governor would not reply to the military statement .

“ No , there is no need for a response . We are not reacting to it , ” the official , who did not want to be quoted, said .

But the AI in a statement on Wednesday titled , ‘ Authorities must stop attempts to cover up Lekki toll gate massacre – new investigative timeline, ’ provided photographs and footage confirming that the military vehicles conveying the troops left their base , Bonny Camp at 6 : 29 pm for the tollgate.

It explained that the military vehicles were filmed leaving Bonny Camp on videos shared on social media .

The group further disclosed that footage also showed four vehicles with flashing lights in a convoy , “ and they appear to be vehicles used by the Nigerian military and police. ”

The statement further said the same vehicles headed east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue and passed several international embassies and consulates , including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission .

The footage tracked the vehicles to the toll gate and showed the troops firing on the # EndSARS protesters at approximately 6 :45 pm.

The statement read , “ The Nigerian authorities’ must end their attempts to cover up the Lekki toll gate massacre . The timeline collates photographs and video footage to confirm that the Nigerian Army vehicles left Bonny Camp, a military base , approximately a seven - minute drive from the tollgate, at 6 : 29 pm local time on 20 October .

“ Footage then tracks the vehicles to the toll gate . At approximately 6 :45 pm , the Nigerian military opened fire on the # EndSars protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality .

“ Further photographs and footage captured the vehicles arriving at the tollgate , before the peaceful protest was disrupted by men in military uniform and gunfire is heard .

“ As night time descended , protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings . Later in the evening , videos of the victims were also shared on social media . ”

Looting of warehouses caused by protests, not poverty —Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , says the looting of warehouses and shops by hoodlums was not necessarily caused by poverty but by the pandemonium that accompanied the # EndSARS protests .

Speaking on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise Daily programme , on Thursday , Adesina said attributing the looting to poverty was like justifying armed robbery .

“ Criminality is criminality . Would it justify armed robbery because the man was poor ? Would it justify armed robbery because the man didn ’ t have money ? Just as you cannot justify armed robbery because a man was poor and took a gun to rob another person, you can ’ t also justify the looting , ” he said .

Adesina claimed the protracted protests provided an atmosphere for looting to take place .

He said if police stations were not burnt down, there wouldn ’ t have been a breakdown of law and order .

The President ’ s spokesman said , “ Criminality will always be criminality and mere anarchy promotes criminality . What has happened in the last two or three weeks led to what has happened now . If there was cohesion and tranquillity in society, this wouldn ’ t happen .

“ Therefore , it was corollary to the mere anarchic situation that came on the country because of the protests . If you didn ’ t have people burning police stations , killing policemen , burning private and public property , you wouldn ’ t have this spate of looting .

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , says the looting of warehouses and shops by hoodlums was not necessarily caused by poverty but by the pandemonium that accompanied the # EndSARS protests .

Speaking on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise Daily programme , on Thursday , Adesina said attributing the looting to poverty was like justifying armed robbery .

“ Criminality is criminality . Would it justify armed robbery because the man was poor ? Would it justify armed robbery because the man didn ’ t have money ? Just as you cannot justify armed robbery because a man was poor and took a gun to rob another person, you can ’ t also justify the looting , ” he said .

Adesina claimed the protracted protests provided an atmosphere for looting to take place .

He said if police stations were not burnt down, there wouldn ’ t have been a breakdown of law and order .

The President ’ s spokesman said , “ Criminality will always be criminality and mere anarchy promotes criminality . What has happened in the last two or three weeks led to what has happened now . If there was cohesion and tranquillity in society, this wouldn ’ t happen .

“ Therefore , it was corollary to the mere anarchic situation that came on the country because of the protests . If you didn ’ t have people burning police stations , killing policemen , burning private and public property , you wouldn ’ t have this spate of looting .

WAEC to release 2020 SSSCE results next week

The West African Examinations Council says the results of the 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination will be released next week .

The results were supposed to be out today but the examination body said the postponement was due to the violence and arson in the country which affected some of its offices and some of its operations nationwide .

The unrest experienced in the aftermath of the # EndSARS protests against police brutality had forced governments to impose curfew in their respective states .

“ WASSCE SC 2020 Results Release Date : Dear candidates, the Council had planned to release the results today in fulfilment of our Project 45 but due to the curfew imposed last week , it had to be postponed till next week .

“ The exact date will be made known soon, ” @ waecnigeria tweeted on Wednesday .

When contacted, the Head of Public Affairs , WAEC Nigeria, Demianus Ojijeogu, confirmed the development .

Afenifere, NEF differ on northerners’ protection in South

THE Northern Elders Forum on Tuesday raised the alarm over what it described as a deliberate targeting of northerners in southern part of Nigeria .

The forum said there had been “ reported killings , destruction and stealing of property belonging to northerners and other assaults , which had been going on for days ” .

The organisation , therefore , called on northerners in the South to “ compile a verifiable inventory of lives and property lost, and approach relevant authorities for appropriate restitution . ”

But the pan - Yoruba socio - cultural organisation , Afenifere warned the northern elders to be careful about statements that could inflame passion .

“ Our friends in NEF should be more careful about statements that can inflame passion . We make this appeal , not out of fear , but a deep sense of responsibility and the understanding of the place of elders .

“ Our utterances should bring calm at this delicate period , ” the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere , Yinka Odumakin said .

Earleir, the NEF Director , Publicity and Advocacy said , Dr Hakeem Baba - Ahmed , in a statement titled , ‘ The need to protect northerners in the South ’ explained that the forum had resisted the pressure to raise the alarm earlier “ on these unacceptable acts of hostility at Nigerians living and earning legitimate livelihood peacefully in many communities in the South, out of concern that doing so would further worsen a major national crisis . ”

The statement further read in part , “ The forum calls for immediate stop of attacks and harassment of northerners in many southern communities . ”

Sanwo-Olu sounds tough over inter-tribal clashes in Lagos

The Governor of Lagos State , Mr Babajide Sanwo - Olu , has bemoaned the destruction that trailed a clash between the Yoruba and the Hausa in the Fagba , Ifako - Ijaiye area of the state .

Sanwo - Olu , during an assessment tour of the area on Tuesday , however , vowed to deal decisively with the those involved in inter- tribal clashes .

He assured residents who were affected by the mayhem that the state government would alleviate their pains .

The governor was accompanied on the tour by the Deputy Governor , Dr Obafemi Hamzat ; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folasade Jaji; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education , Mr Tokunbo Wahab ; and Head of Service , Mr Hakeem Muri - Okunola.

He said , “ The level of destruction that I have seen here is colossal; it is unfortunate . Enumeration will start immediately by the two local governments . The council chairmen and all the community leaders will come together and come up with a list of those whose properties have been destroyed .

“ We are using this opportunity to give notices to all the miscreants in the neighbourhood and that is why I am looking at you .

“ If you know that you are not doing any work and that you are one of the people that have caused this trouble , we are giving you the final notice because we are coming to clear this whole place .

He said the government would compensate victims after getting a breakdown of the enumeration , urging shop owners to be sincere while stating their losses .

229 suspected hoodlums face prosecution over arson, others in Lagos

The Lagos State Government has said it will be prosecuting all suspected hoodlums arrested in connection with the mayhem unleashed on the state between Tuesday and Wednesday in the aftermath of Lekki toll gate shooting by soldiers .

The state Ministry of Justice said on Saturday that the police had arrested 229 suspected hoodlums and their case files were being evaluated preparatory to prosecution on charges of arson , murder , stealing , malicious damage of properties , assault, etc.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs , Lagos State Ministry of Justice , Mr Kayode Oyekanmi , said the state ’ s Director of Public Prosecutions , Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi , had gone round relevant police formations with her team “ to evaluate files of those arrested by the police with a view to determining those that have prima facie case made against them . ”

The statement read in part , “ Two hundred and twenty- nine ( 229) suspects were arrested by the police for various criminal offences , ranging from arson , murder , stealing , malicious damage of properties and assault before and after the state - wide curfew imposed by Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo - Olu , to restore law and order .

“ After the evaluation exercise those that have cases to answer will be arraigned before the courts on Monday, while the release of those that have no case to answer will be ensured .

“ Lagos State Attorney - General and Commissioner for Justice , Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo ( SAN ) while calling on Lagosians to maintain peace , law and order in their respective communities , pledged the commitment of the state government to uphold the rule of law at all times . ”

Only 9,103,653 workers have pension accounts, says PenCom

Only 9 , 103, 653 workers had Retirement Savings Accounts with Pension Fund Administrators as of the end of August .

The National Pension Commission disclosed this in its ‘ Total RSA registrations as at 31 August 2020 ’ latest report obtained from on Friday .

PenCom also said in its second quarter report , “ The RSA registrations grew to 9 , 039 , 727 as at second quarter 2020 , moving from 8 , 998, 580 in the first quarter 2020 , representing a growth of 0 . 46 per cent . ”

The growth was attributed to the increased level of compliance by the private sector as a result of the various steps taken by the commission as well as marketing strategies of the PFAs .

It said the pension industry recorded a 0 . 45 per cent growth ( 41 , 074) in the scheme membership during the second quarter of 2020 , moving from 9 . 06 million contributors at the end of the preceding quarter to 9 . 1 million .

The growth in the industry membership was driven by the RSA scheme , which had an increase of 41 , 147 contributors representing 0 . 46 per cent .

However , it added , membership of the Closed Pension Fund Administration scheme declined by 73 members to 17 , 125 while the Approved Existing Scheme membership remained unchanged at 40 , 951 as at the second quarter of 2020 .

During the quarter under review , the PFAs registered a total of 2 , 839 contributors under the Micro Pension Plan for whom a total of N 7 . 4 m had been remitted to the RSAs as pension contributions.

Cumulatively, it added , a total of 51 , 974 informal sector workers had registered for the MPP and contributed the sum of N 42 . 1 m as of 30 June 2020 .

The PenCom ’ s report said during the quarter under review , 5 , 100 private sector organisations applied for issuance of Pension Clearance Certificate out of which 4 , 937 were processed and issued PCCs while 163 applications were turned down due to non - remittance of pension contributions for the appropriate period and /or non - provision of Group Life Insurance Policy .

The 4 , 937 organisations that were issued certificates remitted the sum of N 19 . 39 m into the RSAs of 67 , 692 employees.

explained the Approved Existing Schemes as pension schemes existing prior to the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in June , 2004 and were approved to continue as AES.

Membership of this fund was restricted to employees of the specific organisations .

The CPFAs, it said , were pension schemes in the private sector existing prior to the introduction of CPS and were licensed to operate as CPFAs and membership of this fund was restricted to employees of that specific organisation .

Enugu relaxes curfew from 7am to 6pm

The Enugu State Government has announced an adjustment on the 24 - hour curfew imposed in three Urban Local Government Areas of the state to 13 - hour indefinitely .

Governor Ugwuanyi had on Wednesday , at the wake of # EndSARS violent protest that saw the burning down of public and private facilities, imposed 24 - hour dusk - to -dawn on three LGAs of Enugu East , Enugu North, and Enugu South .

But in a statement , the State Commissioner for Information , Nnanyelugo Aroh , on Saturday night , said the adjustment was following the hardship occasioned by the 24 - hour curfew .

Aroh stated that “ the 24 - hour curfew imposed in Enugu East , Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas stands lifted with effect from 7 am on Sunday, 25 th October , 2020 ” .

He added that “ in its place , a 13 - hour curfew ( 6 pm to 7 am ) daily , is imposed in Enugu East , Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas , with effect from 6 pm on Sunday, 25 th October 2020 until further notice” .

While noting that “ the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command and other Security Agencies are hereby directed to ensure full compliance with this order ” the Information Commissioner pointed out that “ persons involved in the delivery of essential services such as Health Care Workers , staff of Water Corporation, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company , Fire service , Enugu State Emergency Management Agency , etc , shall continue to attend to their duties . ”

#EndSARS: Wamakko lauds northern youths for refusing to join protests

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence , Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has commended youths in the northern part of the country for refusing to join the # EndSARS protests.

Wamakko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District , gave the commendation while addressing a mammoth crowd of youths shortly after his return to Sokoto from Abuja .

He said , “ I am highly elated with the disciplined and peaceful disposition of the northern youths , even in the face of the provocations and altercations occasioned by the protests that turned violent and lost its original focus , as well as intentions .

“ I wondered why the destructive protests raged on even when the Federal Government had acceded to the demands of the protesters .

“ One of the key demands of the protesters was the disbandment of SARS and it was immediately disbanded .

“ Even President Muhammadu Buhari himself had earlier told the youths that they had good intentions , only for them to deviate from the initial noble cause . ”

Wamakko described the youths as the beacons of hope in the country, hence they should not allow themselves to be used by some disgruntled and unpatriotic elements.

He reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to the Nigerian project , as well as ensuring that youths fully realise their potential.

Jailbreaks: NCS to publish names, pictures of over 1,500 fleeing inmates

The Nigerian Correctional Service has said it will publish the names and pictures of over 1 , 500 inmates who escaped from the custodial facilities in Benin and Oko, Edo State , and in Okitipupa , Ondo State , on Monday and Thursday , respectively .

The NCoS spokesman, DCC , Austin Njoku, said the service was equally mobilising various security and intelligence resources to recapture the fleeing inmates .

While 1 , 993 inmates broke out of the two custodial centres in Edo State , 58 reportedly escaped from the Ondo correctional facility .

The inmates who included convicts serving time for various crimes and condemned persons on death row were released by suspected hoodlums who took advantage of the # EndSARS protests.

The Edo State custodial centres had come under attack from the suspected hoodlums who freed the inmates and also looted the armoury of a nearby police station carting away five rifles .

The police said 12 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident while the stolen rifles had been recovered .

A similar attack targeted at the Ikoyi correctional on Thursday failed as security operatives quickly mobilised to the facility and foiled the attempted jailbreak.

Giving an update on the incidents on Friday , Njoku urged Nigerians to provide information on the fugitives who he described as dangerous elements .

He stated, “ We are mobilising the people and the press for information because to inject the number of such people into the society is a problem. Imagine over 1 , 000 criminals injected into society?

“ We are mobilising the intelligence agencies, the police and the DSS ( Department of State Services ) . We are publishing their names and pictures very soon. ”

Njoku added that he did not have the number of inmates already rearrested .

Meanwhile , 25 inmates who escaped from Oko and Sapele Road Correctional Centre when hoodlums broke into the facilities have voluntarily returned to the centres and surrendered themselves to the authorities.

It brings to 207 the number of prisoners who have been recaptured, returned or secured.

One of the inmates , who gave his name as Alex Ose , 40 , a taxi driver, said that he had been awaiting trial since 2014 when he was arrested for armed robbery in Benin , Edo State capital .

Ose , who is from Esan , Edo State and a father of four, said he decided to heed the call of the State Governor Godwin Obaseki and surrender himself because he was innocent of the charges against him and was “ supremely ” sure that he would be vindicated by the court .

He, however , noted that the escape provided him with a perfect opportunity to be home with his wife and children , adding that he ran in the ensuing melee when the protesters stormed the correctional centre and ordered them to escape .

He said , “ I am innocent of the allegations against me. I was framed up. I am appealing to Governor Obaseki to look into my case. I had every opportunity to run away but chose to surrender myself because I am not guilty . The governor should please look seriously into my case. I am innocent . ”

A source at the Sapele Road Correctional Centre who would not want his name in print said that one of the escaped prisoners was shot on the leg and caught on Wednesday when he was sighted near the correctional centre but took to his heels when he was ordered to surrender himself to the authorities .

The source disclosed that two out of the 25 inmates who returned were from Oko Medium Correctional Centre along Airport Road , Benin , assuring that they would be returned to Oko when the situation returned to normal .

According to him , the DSS , the police and officials of the NCS will soon commence a massive manhunt for the runaway inmates once Obaseki’ s one - week grace for them to return expires .

He said those who escaped from lawful prison custody risked being sentenced for extra seven years if caught while those who willingly surrendered themselves would be shown mercy as promised by the governor .

The NCoS officer said , “ We have a way of arresting runaway prisoners . We will swing into action once the protest calms down. The earlier they return on their own , the better for them .

“ Those who are rearrested will be retried and sentenced to extra seven years if convicted. So, it is in their own interest to return as the governor has given them an extra one week of grace to return . ”

#EndSARS protests lasted too long – Williams Uchemba

On the heels of the # EndSARS protests , actor , Williams Uchemba , has questioned the decision by celebrities and youths to continue demonstrations after the government acknowledged the demands of the protesters and proceeded to disband the dreaded Special Anti - Robbery Squad .

The protest in Lekki , Lagos State , which was notable for having many celebrities in attendance , took a bloody turn on Tuesday evening , with soldiers shooting no fewer than 15 protesters dead and injuring many others . The state government had announced a 24 - hour curfew earlier that day , which was to take effect at 4 pm, but was later moved to 9 pm .

Uchemba told Sunday Scoop that while the protest had begun to derail , many stars were pressured into supporting the anti -police brutality movement by only posting content on social media that was relevant to the protest .

He said , “ It is about control . That is why you have brakes in your car. It is to know when to stop or slow down , and when to accelerate . At a point , the protests got out of control . They started doing parties at the toll gate . We were all asking for the same thing – basic amenities .

“ I know , constitutionally , you cannot use curfews to stop a protest . But maybe , we could have tried to work with the government just for that day . There was peer pressure on most of my colleagues . I know some of them that were pressurised to go out on the streets , even when the government had given us airtime . The pressure was more from the fans . ”

The actor also noted that for the first time , government responded promptly to the public ’ s demands . He added that due to attention it got, Nigerians were updated about every step that was taken . He said , “ We had it at some point and I was telling people that the climax of the protest would have been the candlelight vigil . The next day should have been about strategy . It should have been about ‘ what is the next thing? Now, we have those people where we want them . ’

“ Because we already had that , we should have just not overshot . We should have waited for them to completely implement everything we were asking for regarding police brutality . They met us halfway on the # 5 for 5 demands . ”

How soldiers killed 16 terrorists in firefights – Army

The troops of Operation Fire Ball have killed 16 Boko Haram/ Islamic States for West Africa Province terrorists in recent encounters in the North East theatre of operation .

The Acting Director , Defence Media Operations, Brig . - Gen . Bernard Onyeuko , made this known in a statement on Sunday.

The statement was titled ‘ Operation Lafiya Dole : Troops of operation fire ball neutralise several bandits , destroy gun trucks , recover large cache of arms and other items ’ .

Onyeuko said that four terrorists’ gun trucks were destroyed as well as recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunitions during the various encounters .

The statement read in part , “ On 21 October 2020 troops of Special Response Area Gajiram deployed at Check Point three under Sector three decisively dealt a heavy blow on BHT / ISWAP criminal elements .

“ The eagle - eyed troops who were on alert noticed unusual vehicles following the convoy of vehicles conveying Internally Displaced Persons from Maiduguri Cosmopolitan City to Baga town in order to infiltrate own position .

“ The troops canalised the criminals and inflicted heavy casualty on them . After the ensuing firefight three Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised .

“ In a related development , troops of Army Super Camp Magumeri decimated several Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the location . After the fierce encounter, 11 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.

“ Similarly , On 24 October 2020 , the gallant troops of Army Super Camp located at Mallam Fatori routed elements of Boko Haram/ ISWAP criminal elements who attacked their location . After the fierce battle two Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised, others escaped with gunshot wounds as traces of blood of dragged casualties by the criminals were seen during exploitation . ”

The defence assured populace of the North-East zone of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria “ to finally rout out the remnants of the BHT /ISWAP criminals from their enclaves ” .

Afenifere dissociates self from ‘quit notice’ video

The pan - Yoruba socio - political group , Afenifere , has dissociated itself from a video that has gone viral , giving an ultimatum to some other Nigeria nationals , especially the Igbos , to quit Yorubaland on or before October 25 , 2020 .

In a statement issued by the Afenifere Leader , Pa Reuben Fasonranti , on Saturday evening , the group said it knew nothing about the video nor its producer.

Fasonranti said , “ The most embarrassing to me as the leader of Afenifere was that the young man who made the announcement kicked off with the well -known tune of Afenifere anthem , thus giving the impression that it was the Afenifere ’ s initiative .

“ This is to say that we do not know anything about the quit order nor are we in any way connected with its issuance nor its initiators .

“ For the time being , in addition to our other releases , let us all maintain peace . ”

Umahi sacks security aide, three others over razed police stations

Ebonyi State Governor , David Umahi, has sacked his Special Assistant on Security and Utility ( Urban) , Saint Aniakor , and three Development Centre Coordinators over the recent destruction of police stations and other properties in their domains.

This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government , Kenneth Ugbala , on Sunday.

The statement noted that the four officials were “ relieved of their duties with immediate effect ” .

The sacked coordinators include Amos Ogbonnaya of Anuagata Development Centre; Mr . Jerry Okorie Ude of Okposi Development Centre and Mrs . Martha Nwankwo ofOhaozara - East Development Center.

They were replaced with Mr Tochukwu Uzor for Anuagata Development Centre; Mr . Henry Ugochi Ovoke for Okposi Development Centre ; and Mr . Ernest Okorie for Ohaozara- East Development Center.

Mr Chidiebere Egwu was also appointed as Special Assistant on Internal Security and Utility ( Urban ) to replace Aniakor .

Hoodlums had attacked and burnt down police stations in Umahi’ s Ohaozara Local Government Area on Thursday .

Three other police stations were also attacked in Abakaliki , the State capital on Wednesday .

The hoodlums destroyed other utilities in the state capital especially the decorative street lights installed in various parts .

Ụgbala said the Governor sacked the appointees in his avowed determination to secure the state and for their non -performance .

“ All the affected former officials are directed to hand over all government property in their possession to the Secretary to the State Government /Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on Monday 26 th of October 2020 , ” the statement added .

Panel ’ s findings ’ ll reveal what happened at Lekki — Williams

A former Chairman of the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International , Major General Ishola Williams ( retd) , has condemned Tuesday ’ s shooting of some unarmed protesters in the Lekki Tollgate area of Lagos .

Some youths staged protests in states across the country against police brutality and the excesses of men of the SARS , a unit of the Nigeria Police Force .

On Tuesday , unidentified soldiers who reportedly invaded the Lekki Tollgate were said to have shot at some of the protesters shortly before the commencement of a 24 -hour curfew imposed on the state by Sanwo - Olu .

Reacting to the incident during a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Friday , Williams said , “ Any sensible person will condemn the act of soldiers shooting unarmed protesters ! Anywhere in the world , that is condemnable . If you obey an order to shoot at unarmed persons , you have committed murder . Period !”

He added that whoever gave the order to the soldiers had a responsibility for giving the order likewise those who obeyed the order .

Williams said , “ But obeying order alone is not enough to absolve the soldiers from the shootings . So, they are as guilty as the person who gave the order . ’’

He, however , noted that one could not know who to trust regarding the incident or if it happened or didn ’ t happen.

He stated , “ Therefore , the best thing for everybody is to wait for the judicial panel of enquiry set up by the governor on the matter . What is important about the panel is that the CCTV cameras at Lekki weren ’ t off and therefore recorded activities at the place , especially during the period that everybody is talking about . That recording, which is in video form , will tell us whether anyone was killed or not .

“ Obviously, people were injured because the governor said he visited injured persons in the hospital . When you accept that , it means there were shootings because people cannot be injured there if there were no shootings . ”

Lagos panel calls for memorandum

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up by the Lagos State Government has set aside three days of the week to look into the Lekki Tollgate incident and grievances of victims , while calling on the public to come forward with memoranda for discussion .

According to the state government on Saturday, the panel would be sitting on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lagos State Court of Arbitration in the Lekki Phase 1 area of the state .

A notice by the government said , “ Judicial panel of inquiry and restitution of victims of Special Anti - Robbery Squad related abuses and Lekki Tollgate incident – Members of the public are hereby invited to submit memoranda at the public sitting of the panel set up by the Lagos State Government to look into the grievances of the victims of SARS abuses and the incident at the Lekki Tollgate .

Falana writes LASG , says unclaimed corpses in mortuaries

The Interim Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID - 19 and Beyond , Mr . Femi Falana ( SAN ) , has written a letter to the Attorney General of Lagos State , Moyo Onigbanjo ( SAN ) , drawing the attention of the state government to the existence of some unclaimed corpses in government mortuaries following the shooting of protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20 , 2020 .

The letter , which was obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday is titled , ‘ Request for Coroner ’ s Inquest Into the Brutal Killing of Unarmed Protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, October 20 , 2020 ’ .

It read in part , “ ASCAB requests the Lagos State Government to check the mortuaries in the Lagos State hospitals and at Lagos University Teaching Hospital with a view to confirming the actual number of protesters that were killed by the soldiers at the venue of the protest or those who lost their lives as a result of fatal injuries .

“ The investigation ought to be carried out as some of the dead bodies dumped in the mortuaries have been marked ‘ unknown ’ . ”

The ASCAB interim chairman also demanded a coroner ’ s inquest into the incident since the state government had confirmed that at least two people died in the incident .

Falana said the group had confirmed that soldiers from a particular military barracks on Victoria Island, Lagos invaded the venue of the peaceful protest at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday and fired live rounds at the protesters under the cover of darkness.

The ASCAB interim chairman recalled that before perpetrating the dastardly act the soldiers caused the light to be switched off while the CCTV cameras at the toll gate were reportedly cut out .

The statement further read , “ From the information at our disposal, two of the protesters have since lost their lives while some survivors are still receiving treatment in two hospitals in Lagos State . Others who have been discharged from the hospitals are recuperating in their homes .

“ In view of the denial of the Nigerian Army in the brutal attack of the unarmed protesters , ASCAB is compelled to request the Lagos State Government to conduct an inquest into the cause and circumstances of the unnatural death of the deceased pursuant to the provisions of the Lagos State Coroner ’ s Inquest Law. ”

Investigate Lekki shootings now, NBA’ s NEC tells FG

The Nigerian Bar Association has asked the Federal Government to immediately launch an investigation into the October 20 , 2020 shooting of peaceful # EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza in Lagos State .

It demanded that the investigation should reveal the identities of the person who gave the order , the soldiers who carried out the shooting as well as the slain and missing victims of the attack .

This is contained in the communiqué of the October 22 , 2020 meeting of the National Executive Committee of the NBA which was released on Saturday.

The association in the communiqué which was signed by its President , Mr Olumide Akpata , and its secretary , Joyce Oduah, deprecated what it described as “ the assault, intimidation and killing of unarmed protesters ” .

Some soldiers had on Tuesday night opened fired on the protesters who had continued their peaceful demonstration despite the curfew declared by the Lagos State Government on October 20 .

The NBA President had in the wake of the attack condemned the shooting, threatening that the association would immediately institute legal actions at local and international levels against the Federal Government and its relevant agencies on behalf of the victims .

The NBA ’ s NEC which comprises the national officers of the association , its former presidents, former secretary , incumbent chairmen and secretaries of all its branches across the country, among others , gave an approval to the comments and actions Akpata had taken on the

# EndSARS matters .

It urged the Federal Government to launch a probe into the military attack “ as a matter of urgency” .

The NEC also directed the association to follow up the said probe with pressing for filing of criminal charges against the anyone or government agency involved in the attack at relevant international and local fora .

I’ve asked Sanwo-Olu about who ordered Lekki shootings – Tinubu

A former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress , Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , said on Saturday that he visited the incumbent governor , Mr Babajide Sanwo - Olu , to ask him if he had anything to do with the killing of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday .

Tinubu, who was at the Lagos House in Marina , also said he could not understand the rationale behind the looting , arson , invasion of police stations , stealing of arms and maiming of innocent persons that characterised the state for days .

Hoodlums had massively looted shops and set fire to several public and private properties , including Television Continental and The Nation newspaper , both of which have been linked to him . This followed the killing of some protesters at the Lekki toll plaza by soldiers .

Meanwhile , speaking to reporters after visiting the governor , Tinubu said , “ I came to ask him pointedly ; did he order the attack , or if he didn ’ t order the attack , who ordered it ? Was it to his knowledge that people were attacked? That was all I needed from him . ”

When asked the way forward , Tinubu said since the government had already set up a judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the allegations of human right abuses by officers of the now disbanded Special Anti -Robbery Squad , people who suffered casualty during the gunshot Lekki incident should volunteer information to the government .

He added , “ Those who suffered casualty during the gunshots need to answer some questions too ; how were they there ; how long were they there ; what kind of characters are they ? Even those we want to help , we still must extract information that would help the government to prepare in future or understand how and when to react. ”

He said the government showed sensitivity in listening to the protesters and taking actions , but that he wondered why some people resorted to violence . “ But where are we getting the looting , the carnage , burning , invasion of police stations , stealing of arms and maiming the innocent ( from )? It ’ s handshake beyond the elbow , ” he added .

When asked when he returned to the country following reports that he was in France all along, Tinubu said , “ I didn ’ t go nowhere ; I’ m a Lagosian . I still hold the title of the Asiwaju of Lagos . I’ m still the Jagaban . Fake news is all over the place ; they said Seyi my son was kidnapped , but he’ s here with me and I didn ’ t pay any money to bring him here . ”

Nine feared dead as soldiers, IPOB members clash in Rivers

About five soldiers and four members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra have been feared dead after a clash in Oyigbo and other parts of Rivers State .

This brings to seven the number of IPOB members who reportedly died during the

# EndSARS and police brutality protest in the state .

The IPOB members were said to have engaged in a shoot - out with a joint security team comprising soldiers and police deployed to quell their activities in Oyigbo , Rumuokwurusi and other flashpoints areas .

Governor Nyesom Wike in a state broadcast on Friday condemned activities of the group despite the 24 - hour curfew imposed on the Oyigbo council area .

Wike stated , “ We were all witnesses to yet another orgy of violence and destruction inflicted by IPOB at Oyigbo Local Government Area and some parts of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday, October 20 , 2020 .

He said , “ This evil, wicked and audacious action resulted in the unnecessary loss of lives, including soldiers and police officers , and the destruction of both public and private properties , police stations , court buildings and business premises . ”

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the IPOB members and soldiers clashed from Thursday night till Friday evening . Spokesman for the 6 Division, Nigeria Army , Port Harcourt , Charles Ekeocha , could not be reached for comment on the matter . He didn ’ t answer calls to his mobile at the time of filing this report .

Meanwhile , the state police command said two cops were killed , four police stations burnt and over 50 vehicles set ablaze by suspected IPOB members who attacked the Oyigbo community and other areas in the state .

The state Commissioner of Police , Joseph Mukan , stated this when he led commanders of other security agencies in the state to the Oyigbo council area on Saturday.

In a statement by the spokesman for the state police command , Nnamdi Omoni, the CP had ordered a full scale investigation into the incident with a view to appending and prosecuting the culprits .

The statement stated , “ The Rivers State Commissioner of Police , Joseph Mukan today ( Saturday) led commanders of the sister security agencies in the state to Oyigbo council area where hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB under the guise of # EndSARS protests invaded Oyigbo Area Command , Oyigbo , Afam and Umuebulu Police stations where they attacked the policemen on duty and burnt down the four police formations .

“ In the course of the attacks , over 50 vehicles were burnt , including one Armoured Personnel Carrier , killing two policemen who were hacked to death and set ablaze . ”

Mukan condemned the attack on public and private property , describing it as ‘ ill -conceived , most unfortunate and an ill wind that would blow no one any good , ’ while condoling with the families of the slain operatives .

He said , “ The command will stop at nothing until the perpetrators of these dastardly acts are arrested and brought to justice . ’’

Senator Folarin's invaders captured by operation burst officers

Hoodlums invaded a senator teslim Folarin's residence in Oluyole,Ibadan Ọ̀yọ́ state & carted away generators,okada & other properties senator.they got arrested by Operation Burst for vandalization of public & private properties.

photo credit:Splash fm

Nnamdi AzikIwe Statue Burnt Down In Eastern Nigeria

The statue of late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe which was erected at Denis Memorial Grammar School Roundabout, Awka Avenue, Onitsha has been burnt down by angry Youths who accused him of being the cause of their problems because he said One Nigeria....

INEC postpones Lagos, Imo, Bayelsa, other bye-elections

Following the ongoing # EndSARS nationwide protests , the Independent National Electoral has announced the indefinite postponement of the bye -elections in the six senatorial districts and nine state constituencies.

The commission said it would continue to monitor the situation and meet again in two weeks to decide on a feasible date for the elections .

The by - elections are to take place in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District , Bayelsa West Senatorial District , Nganzai and Bayo constituencies in Borno State , Cross River North Senatorial District and Obudu Constituency in Cross River.

Others are Imo North Senatorial District , Lagos East Senatorial District , Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State , Plateau South Senatorial District , Bakura Constituency in Zamfara and Ibaji Constituency in Kogi .

The by - elections in the federal and state legislative houses were due to resignation or death of members in the eight states of the federation.

INEC National Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye , announced the postponement in a statement after a meeting held with 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday in Abuja.

Okoye said , “ The commission has decided to postpone the bye - elections in the six Senatorial Districts and nine state constituencies. This decision is in compliance with Section 26 ( 2 ) of the Electoral Act 2010 ( as amended ) , which gives the commission the power to postpone an election if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date , or that it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies .

“ The commission will continue to monitor the situation in all the states and constituencies, consult with relevant stakeholders and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date for the elections .

“ The commission appeals for calm and understanding of the stakeholders and voters in the states where elections were scheduled . The safety of the voters , election officials and other stakeholders is paramount to the Commission in conducting elections .

“ We are convinced that the country will emerge from the current challenges stronger while our electoral process will continue to improve. ”

How police nearly killed me at Oyo protest –Bricklayer

What is your name and how old are you ?

My name is Waheed Oyewumi . I am 20 years old .

What work do you do ?

I am a bricklayer .

What happened to your shoulder ?

I was shot by the police .

How did it happen ?

My friends and I went to see what was happening but we were not close to the scene of the crisis . We were somewhere close so that we could see what was happening but we were not at the scene . As we were there playing with my friends , I heard a gunshot and I realised the bullet hit my hand .

Were you part of the protest ?

No , I wasn ’ t . I even went to work on Saturday when the protest happened and some persons were shot . But on Sunday, I didn ’ t go to work , so I went close to the place to see what was happening .

The doctors said I was lucky because the bullet hit me from a distance . They said I might have died if I was shot at closer range . That is to further tell you that I was not there and I was not part of the protest .

What again did the doctor tell you ?

After the X - ray , I was told the bullet had broken the bone .

But did they tell you the broken bone would heal?

Yes , they did. After extracting the bullet , they said I would undergo another surgery.

Who is paying your bills ?

My mummy is the one paying .

What work does she do ?

She is a trader. My mother is a widow and she told me that my father died while I was one month old . Since that time , she has been the only one taking care of us . She has been borrowing money to pay the bills . I just heard her asking my sister to go and sell all the goats she is raising to settle some bills and to buy the new drugs I was asked to buy .

I want to appeal to our governor ( Seyi Makinde ) and other people to help us . Those of us here have not seen the governor . I am not sure he is aware that some of us are here .

Police arrest suspected Kaduna gunrunners, recover arms, cash

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday said they had apprehended some suspected gunrunners in the state .

The Command also said some locally made rifles , as well as cash , were recovered.

This was made known in a statement by the State Police Command ’ s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige , who added that the arrested suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation .

Parts of the statement read , “ On October 14 , 2020 , at about 1530 hrs , operatives of the Kaduna Police Command , while on routine stop - and - search at Kwanta Shiru village, along Kaduna - Kachia road , succeeded in arresting one Yakubu Maigida of Chibiya village, Kachia LGA , Kaduna State , and recovered a locally made AK47 rifle concealed under his motorcycle with the view to evading the eagle eyes of the security .

“ Upon interrogation , the suspect gave useful information on the source of the firearm. Subsequently, the operatives , acting on the information , swung into action and arrested the arm dealer ; one Saidu Daniel Buzu ( m ) of Asako village, Kachia and recovered in his custody; a single barrel rifle , one locally made pistol , two AK47 magazine, one cartridge and sum of N 27 , 000. ”

It’s not rebellion, it’s revolution

Right now , in Nigeria , the nation roiling , boiling , and burning . Nigerian youths have taken over many major streets especially in Lagos , the commercial capital of the country. In their bones is flaming angst , and in their marrows is infernal anger . They have come to a realistic conclusion that if true change will be etched in the spines of their country , it will come only through ordinary folks like them in concert with older fellows with gritty experiences and hearts of service ; and never from incognisant and mythomaniac men in power whose gods are their bellies .

Man - made obstacles against good life and living in Nigeria are innumerable . They are fashioned out into existence by men who have always been in power alongside their recycled cruel cahoots . The human obstacles are in the oppressive cabals and Nigerian elites . Their knees are on the people ’ s necks . Our young people are not only protesting today ’ s government that wears the crown of incognisance about governance . They are also picketing a historical waywardness of leaders who are stuck in the past and destroying futures of generations unborn; a baneful banana republic where nothing works . These young people are not protesting a person but a system ; the herald of which started in 1914 when a flummox like Nigeria was consummated in the laboratory of British slavery .

It is unfortunate that the peaceful exercise has been hijacked by hoodlums and men fanning the ember of ethnic division . But we know where the true protesters stand . In their hearts of hearts, this is a revolution . An organic and spontaneous response against protracted and prolonged acts of injustice and inequity by the ruling class. They brand it a revolution which is a reaction against repressive actions and leadership inaction . They call it a revolution because it is a cry for deliverance from the entrapping and ensnaring belly of hell woven around the ankles of the citizens by the Nigerian political class. Revolution songs , when sung, usually come with very loud lyrics chanting : “ Enough is enough .

Nigeria exists only for a greedy and gluttonous few who are less than one per cent of the population . This miniscule minority at the top dish it out dirty to the remaining 99 % . Authoritarians in authority spin the country around in circles of emptiness and backward spins. These elements with power and authority aren ’ t changing . They are the same yesterday , today , and forever . Nigerian youths are tired of that . Sensible patriots aren ’ t having it either . The whole world , from the Americas to the Caribbean and uttermost parts of the world , actions of our youths are called the beginning of a necessary revolution . But the powers- that -be call it a rebellion. They brand it a push -and - shove against constituted authority . They call it a spite, a slight , an insult and an assault on their power base . This is what the arrogant and haughty bunch of characters who bullied their ways to power are now saying . It is why they dispatched tanks and snipers in military uniforms under the cover of darkness slaughtering young unarmed children of other Nigerians whose only weapons were flashlights from their rickety iPhones and Androids . These ogres too have children they protect and hope to carry on their legacies when they ’ re gone to Gehenna .

Why are these people afraid of rebellion ? Fredrick Douglass ’ words remind us that rebellion is not the problem but the thing that caused it . What caused these protests in Nigeria are many . I will mention an itsy-bitsy few .

Nigeria has a bicameral legislature : The Senate and House of Representatives . An average Nigerian senator hauls home each month while serving a starving nation a basic monthly salary of about N 2 . 5 million . Hardship Allowance 50 % of basic salary . Constituency Allowance 200% of basic salary . Newspapers Allowance 50 % of basic salary . Wardrobe Allowance 25 % of basic salary . Recess Allowance 10 % of basic salary . Accommodation 200 % of basic salary . Utilities 30 % of basic salary . Domestic Staff 70 % of basic salary . Entertainment 30 % of basic salary . Personal Assistants 25 % of basic salary . Vehicle Maintenance Allowance 75 % of basic salary . Leave Allowance 10 % of basic salary . Severance Gratuity 300% of basic salary . Car Allowance 400% of basic salary . Total monthly cash haul = N 29 , 479, 749. 00 . An average lawmaker takes home about N 360 million per annum . In a nation where about 120 million people considered poor cannot feed their families , this is a ridiculous price tag the people are made to pay very lazy and derelict politicians who have not moved the needle of progress one step since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy . In the current legislative session , freshmen lawmakers received about N 5 bn in a one -time “ Welcome & Thank - you - for - serving ” freebie . Outgoing lawmakers and governors will receive “ Bye- bye & Thank -you - for - serving ” windfall running into billions too . A few crooked personalities among them obtained loans from several banks ranging from N 10 bn to N 100bn they never had the intention of paying back ; and never did . What do the people get ? Nothing , but the short end of the stick. May God judge them all.

An average governor when he leaves office gets this jumbo pay for life: Two houses , one in his state capital and another in Abuja. ( Property experts estimate such a house in Lagos to cost N 500 million and Abuja N 700 million ) . Six brand new cars replaceable every three years . Furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual salary to be paid every two years . Close to N 2 . 5 million as monthly pension . He will also enjoy security detail , free medicals including his immediate families . Ten per cent house maintenance, 30 per cent car maintenance, 10 per cent entertainment, 20 per cent utility . And several domestic staff for life .

The World Bank classifies Nigeria as one of the five extremely poor nations of the world . Today , Nigeria ’ s economy is the biggest in Africa . By year 2030 , the consumer arm of Nigeria will grow to be about 273 million in population , more than the population of France and Germany combined . While countries like Finland, Switzerland , Canada , Japan , for example , have devised new approaches to saving their economies , Nigerian politicians are stealing while they serve . From the governor ’ s mansion , to the lawmaker ’ s lounge and the president ’ s palace, Nigerian youths want their voices to be heard . This is why they are protesting .

Nigeria has about 200 universities , 150 polytechnics , monotechnics and Colleges of education . Altogether , Nigerian tertiary institutions reportedly produce about 500, 000 graduates every year . About 47 % of the country ’ s university graduates are unemployed; and about 80 % of them are unemployable because they lack attributes such as analytical and good communication skills; among others . Our public schools , worse than public toilets , churn out degraded degrees and grounded graduates . Nigeria’ s literacy rate is estimated at 61 % with many out - of- school children . Young adults with limited literacy and numeracy skills have little hope of ever joining the formal workforce . Some 40 million Nigerian youths are unemployed; and 80 % Nigerian graduates are unemployable . Nigeria’ s public education is in total paralysis . A nation building its tomorrow on a paraplegic educational system will remain sedentary on the wheelchair of backwardness . That ’ s what these children are protesting .

If this is the beginning of a revolution , let it be known that it is not calling for the head of one person as a living sacrifice. It is a consensus communal summon that actuates the cleansing and fumigation of an aged wholistic system decked with foul odors. Until Nigerians fiercely resist oppressors , oppression will persist without abstention; and good governance will not subsist or given the requisite attention by politiciaco

Protests from the upset that provoke resets are those that are done resolutely but peacefully; strategically and with commonsense .