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Police affairs minister says Lekki Toll Gate not a place for protests

Vincent Ufuoma
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Police affairs minister says Lekki Toll Gate not a place for protests

MOHAMMED Dingyadi, Nigeria’s minister of police affairs, has said that Lekki Toll Gate is not a place for protests, noting that there are designated places for peaceful protests across the country.

He justified the use of force on #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters.

“Lekki is not a place for protest. There are specific areas that are assigned or designated as areas for protests,” said Dingyadi, while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.

“We agree that protests should be conducted when the need arises, but we cannot be protesting everywhere at all times. We have to have specific locations where these protests are conducted and they have to be orderly, they have to be reasonable and they have to be with level of minimum sense of nationality so that we don’t just allow every protest to take place without any course,” he noted.

The social media was awash on Saturday with footages of protesters being forcefully hauled by security men into a waiting Black Maria ready to convey them to unknown destinations.

Read Also: Insecurity: APC senator knocks Buhari, says he is incompetent

The protesters had gone to the toll gate to express discontentment with the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to allow the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to reopen the Lekki Toll Gate without granting justice to those that were killed there by security operatives during the #ENDSARS protest on October 20th, 2020.

Debo Adebayo, a popular Nigerian comedian, who is also known as Mr Macaroni, was seen with other arrested protesters half-naked and cranked together in a van, while sweating profusely.

The scenes have drawn the irk of Nigerians and civil society organisations like the Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), who called for their unconditional release and prosecution of the officers responsible for such dastardly and inhumane acts.

Hakeem Odumosu, state commissioner of police, while reacting to the outrage, condemned the conduct of his men, saying the conduct was not in line with the standard operating procedure of the police.

According to him, he had ordered Adegoke Fayoade, deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, to analyse the video and bring to book whoever must have been responsible for the act.

But the minister, who expressed his admiration for the way the policemen were deployed to the venue of the protest well-kitted, justified the use of force deployed against some of the protesters.

He said the use of minimum force was needed by the police to arrest the protesters.

“This is the kind of things that we want to take place in any situation that we find ourselves. Like what you saw in Lekki, this is how it is supposed to be. They were fully equipped, well-uniformed and they were ready for the #EndSARS protesters. That was why we were able to contain the situation.

“Minimum force was used. People always say that the police use force but you forget the fact that for you to ask somebody to please move this side, please be orderly, you have to use some level of force, you have to use some minimum level of force to ensure that people comply with what you are saying. I am not talking about shooting, I am not talking about teargas, you have seen some people ask some people to go into (Black) Maria,” he said.

Reacting to reports that some of the arrested persons were just passersby but indiscriminately picked up by the police, Dingyadi said, “How will the police arrest you if you are not part of a situation? How will they see you to arrest you? If you are not in Lekki, why will they arrest you? They cannot pursue people on the street to arrest them.”

What does Nigeria Constitution and International Law say?

Although Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, the Nigerian Constitution does not specifically state where protests can be held or not.

Internationally, the right of assembly is guaranteed.

Nigeria is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966.

Article 21 of ICCPR, which governs the right to peaceful assembly, provides thus: “The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognised. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.“

Nigeria is also party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Article 11 of the Charter provides that: “Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others. The exercise of this right shall be subject only to necessary restrictions provided by law, in particular those enacted in the interest of national security, the safety, health, ethics, and rights and freedoms of others.“

 

6 months after Magu’s suspension, Buhari nominates Bawa as EFCC chairman

Lukman ABOLADE
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6 months after Magu’s suspension, Buhari nominates Bawa as EFCC chairman

MORE than six months after the suspension of Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), President  Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive chair of the anti-graft commission.

This is contained in a letter sent to the Nigerian Senate by Buhari on Tuesday, according to a statement by Femi Adesina, special assistant to the president on media and publicity.

Adesina said the letter addressed to Ahmad Lawan,  Senate president, was seeking confirmation of Bawa as the EFCC chairman in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004.

According to Adesina, Bawa, 40, was a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of advance fee fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes.

He said Bawa, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy, had undergone several specialised trainings in different parts of the world and was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet officers in 2005.

Following the suspension of Magu earlier in 2019, Buhari had appointed Mohammed Umar, a director of the commission, to act in the capacity of the suspended acting chairman.

The beginning and end of Magu in EFCC

In 2016, during the first stint of Buhari as Nigerian president, Magu’s name was sent to the 8th Assembly of the Nigerian Senate led by Bukola Saraki as the Senate president.

However, the State Security Service (SSS) wrote the Senate that Magu was unfit to serve as the chairman of the commission.

The Nigerian Senate invited the then director-general of DSS, Lawal Daura, to appear before the Senate and state why Magu should not be appointed.

Daura was summoned after Buhari had, again, sent Magu’s name to the Senate in 2017 for confirmation.

In a letter to the Senate, the DSS said Magu was unfit to become the EFCC chairman due to several misconducts while he was in the Nigeria Police Force and with the commission.

Magu was accused of possessing documents belonging to the EFCC which were not supposed to be in his custody.

The SSS also said during a search on Magu’s residence, a fake letter from the Office of the Vice President was discovered.

Further stating reasons why he must not be confirmed as EFCC chair, the DSS said investigations revealed that Magu embarked on private trips with one Umar Muhammed who was at the time being investigated by the EFCC.

Due to this and several other reasons, the Senate refused to confirm Magu’s appointment as the substantial chairman of the commission.

However, Buhari went on to appoint Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC, a position he held until mid-2019.

The end of his days came following a power tussle with Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation.

Malami and a special presidential probe panel known as Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA), in a report entitled ‘Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency in Managing Recovered Assets,’ indicted Magu of diversion of the fund, mismanagement of recovered assets, among others.

Magu, who spent about 10 nights in detention while being interrogated by the probe panel in his defence, argued that the allegations were targeted at him in order to tarnish his name and the image of the commission.

He was eventually suspended from his position while Umar, a director in EFCC was appointed to act in his capacity.

The 40-year-old Bawa’s appointment is subject to the approval by the Nigerian Senate.

Why we want Lekki tollgate reopened -Lekki Concession Company

Vincent Ufuoma
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Why we want Lekki tollgate reopened -Lekki Concession Company

THE Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has cited huge debts owed by the company to both local and international banks as reasons why the Lekki tollgate must be reopened.

Yomi Omomuwasan, the LCC manager, who said this at a press conference on Monday, stated that the company is owing N11.5 billion and $31 million respectively as of 2020 to banks.

He added that 90 percent of its employees anticipate returning to work since the gate’s closure.

“As of 2011, we had a balance of about 24 billion in naira owed to local banks and $49 million owed to an international development bank,” he said.

“Through the operation of the toll progressively, payments are being made. It is on record, the company borrowed money, and we keep mentioning areas where people can verify. They are local banks, Nigerian banks, they have names and have records. There is no way a company can lie that we are owing when they are not owing.

“90 per cent of them are youths and asking if they will be back in their jobs; this is another reason the company needs to return to operations.”

While stating that the COVID-19 outbreak impaired the company’s revenue, he said it was not right for the LCC to be shut down forever following the #ENDSARS protests and related events.

READ ALSO: I joined #OccupyLekkiTollGate to save lives of protesters, says Mr Macaroni

“There is nowhere in the world where an event happened at a place, and you close it forever,” he said.

Speaking on calls by some members of the Lagos Judicial Panel of enquiry on police brutality and protests for the gate to remain close pending when those that were killed in the event of October 20, 2020, by operatives of the Nigerian army would get justice, the manager said that there was never an order shutting down Lekki tollgate. Still, the company only stopped operations to allow for a forensic analysis of what happened during the #ENDSARS protests.

“We believe there may be some things that will be important to the panel by way of forensic audit on the scene, and we agreed that pending when this forensic audit will be done, we would not go there to do anything, because going there for us would mean clearing some burnt items, removing some certain things, calling on our insurance company to do some evaluations and calling our engineers to do some things.”

“There was not a time when we were given a preventive order, an order saying LCC cannot resume operation. We just agreed to work together in the interest of peace to allow some certain facts which some people think in their own arguments may be there.”

Fulani herdsmen: FG should examine what led to Igboho’s intervention -Akeredolu

Vincent Ufuoma
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Fulani herdsmen: FG should examine what led to Igboho’s intervention -Akeredolu

ROTIMI Akeredolu, governor of Ondo State, has called on the federal government to examine the situation that led to Sunday Igboho’s intervention in the insecurity crises in both Oyo and Ogun states.

The governor, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday evening, said Igboho was just a child of circumstance.

“Sunday Igboho is a child of circumstance. We must look at the circumstance that led to each of these interventions,” Akeredolu said.

“There are things that we do at times that you have to know what led to them. Those circumstances might not be justifiable, might not be legal, but again when you look at it, you will know we are a child of circumstance.”

He, however, frowned at the illegality, noting that at no point should citizens take laws into their own hands.

“I, for one, have always said that I will not support anyone taking laws into his own hands. That’s why I had to go to Ibadan.

“That’s why I will go to every other place in the South-West to preach about illegality and that we are against illegal actions. We are not for it at all.”

Shasha violence: Call for calm

Akeredolu, who is the chairman of the South-West governors, while reacting to the violence that led to the loss of several lives and properties after a Yoruba man was allegedly killed by an Hausas man in Shasha market, Ibadan on Friday, sued for calm.

He said all the governors in the South-West region “note with deep concern, the most unfortunate and avoidable orgy of violence in Shasha, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.”

“Without doubt, the situation we have found ourselves as a people is most despicable and contends violently against and is abhorrently at variance with the values and hospitality for which our people are known.

“We have been known for thoroughness. We have identified with legality over the centuries; and our ethos as a civilised breed of people is such that we do not identify with lawlessness, not even illegality,” Governor Akeredolu further said.

READ ALSO: Herdsmen: It is dangerous to classify every Fulani as a criminal – NEF

He asked residents of the region to be law-abiding, saying he understood “the height of provocation in the light of recent happenings as regards Shasha, Ibadan. I, alongside my other brother governors in the region, am against the willful appropriation of laws into one’s hands.”

“We do not support violence and, in particular, brigandage, jungle justice and unnecessary self-help. We note with delight, the efforts of our brother governor, Engr Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who has taken very bold steps to stave off the further escalation of the violence by imposing curfew in the affected areas.

“He deserves every support in his avowed commitment towards peace and security in Oyo State. We shall all survive these times and live peacefully, once again in our lands.”

Sunday Igboho

Igboho, an Oyo indigene, has been in the news in recent times after he issued an ultimatum of one week quit notice to Fulani herdsmen residing in Ibarapa area of Oyo State over the spate of kidnappings and killings attributed to herdsmen in the area.

When his two weeks ultimatum expired, he led some youths to Fulani herdsmen in the area where property worth millions of naira was burnt and destroyed.

Earlier this month, he had also led some youths to Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State where herdsmen were said to be terrorising farmers and residents.

A Fulani settlement in Igua area of the local government was reportedly set on fire by some of the youth after Igboho’s visit to the community.

Oldest South African newspaper migrates online, cites dwindling financial resources

Vincent Ufuoma
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0
Oldest South African newspaper migrates online, cites dwindling financial resources

GROCOTT’S Mail, South Africa’s oldest independent newspaper, has migrated online after 150 years as a print medium.

The Makhanda-based newspaper says it has been unable to weather the financial storm of COVID-19, resulting in the move to make it an online-only publication.

“It’s a sad day to see Grocott’s Mail cease its print publishing operations, but it is understandable given the revenue challenges print publications face, which have been worsened by COVID-19,” said Sbu Ngalwa, chairman, South African Editors’ Forum (Sanef).

“However, it’s encouraging that Grocott’s Mail will still exist in digital format. That means the community of Makhanda and beyond will continue to receive the good journalism that has been synonymous with the 150-year-old publication.”

Mziwoxolo Budaza, former Grocott’s Mail journalist, said the print edition was a big part of Makhanda and the town would be poorer without it.

“I understand they are continuing with Grocott’s Mail online but things will never be the same,” he said.

“Remember, there are many aspiring reporters from Makhanda and from outside the town.

“Grocott’s Mail assisted them a lot with practical training. I am not sure how they are going to do it in terms of training, but I am sure the impact is not going to be the same.”

Makana councillor Ramie Xonxa said it was a bit worrying for Makhanda residents to lose the print publication.

“It’s a pity because Grocott’s Mail has been a very useful communication tool which ensured that all citizens across Makana were kept informed about developments in their surroundings. Not everyone is able to access it online,” Xonxa said.

Grocott’s Mail was founded in 1870 by Thomas Henry Grocott.

Read Also: WTO: Buhari celebrates Okonjo-Iweala, says appointment has brought honour to Nigeria

It was acquired by Rhodes University in 2003 with the objective of ensuring the survival of Grocott’s Mail and to use it for the teaching of journalism students at the university.

The print media is facing stiff competition from online news platforms which are easy to access with smartphones and cost nothing except data. Most print news organisations in the world are unable to attract high sales volumes or advertisements that can sustain them and their reporters. Many attribute the situation to dwindling patronage due to erosion of profitability of firms. The COVID-19 has worsened it, putting the industry in peril and high risk of shut-downs.

WTO: Buhari celebrates Okonjo-Iweala, says appointment has brought honour to Nigeria

Lukman ABOLADE
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WTO: Buhari celebrates Okonjo-Iweala, says appointment has brought honour to Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari says the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has brought honour to Nigeria.

Buhari said this via a series of tweets posted by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, in his official Twitter handle @GarShehu, on Monday.

“Buhari warmly felicitates with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr @NOIweala on her election as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation bringing joy and more honour to the country,” the statement read.

The President said he believed that, considering Okonjo-Iweala’s past record of integrity and diligence, she would continue to yield positive results to mankind.

“As the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity, the President believes her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind,” Shehu wrote.

Buhari affirmed that over the years, Okoonjo-Iweala had set major records on economic reforms in Nigeria as minister of finance and later minister of foreign affairs.

Also Read: NCDC awarded N43.5 million Adamawa COVID-19 Testing Centre to non-existing company

Buhari further reiterated his assurance that the newly appointed WTO DG would excel in her new position and validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.

The ICIR had reported that the General Council of the WTO Monday confirmed the selection of Okonjo-Iweala as the DG of the global trade organisation.

Her tenure, which is renewable, will run from March 1, 2020, until 31 August, 2025.

Her appointment followed a nine-month selection process after the resignation of Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as WTO DG on 31 August 2020, a year before the expiry of his mandate.

Okonjo-Iweala officially becomes first woman, African to lead the WTO

Lukman ABOLADE
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Okonjo-Iweala officially becomes first woman, African to lead the WTO

NGOZI Okonjo-Iweala has been officially named the first woman and African to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed on Monday, 15 February by the General Council of the WTO following several months of the selection process.

According to the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala will serve from 1 March until 31 August 2025 when she might renew her tenure.

Confirming Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment, David Walker, the WTO General Council Chair congratulated the former Nigerian minister on behalf of the General Council.

“This is a very significant moment for the WTO. On behalf of the General Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the WTO’s next Director-General and formally welcome her to this General Council meeting,” said Walker.

Reacting to her appointment, Okonjo-Iweala said she is honoured to have been selected as the WTO’s DG.

She said a strong WTO is important for member nations to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

She added that the organisation faces many challenges which can only be solved by working together to make the WTO stronger.

“Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today,” she added.

The DG selection process was facilitated by Walker, the chairman of the WTO General Council, Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Harald Aspelund (Iceland).

How Okonjo-Iweala became WTO DG

Okonjo-Iweala contested against seven other big profile candidates from Africa, Europe, the Middle-East, North America, and Asia.

After the initial selection processes, the WTO selected Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo Myung-hee of Korea’s Republic for the third and final stage.

On October 28, Okonjo-Iweala was selected by the Walker-led WTO General Council as the organisation’s next DG.

However, her selection was opposed by the United States (US) then led by former President Donald Trump.

According to the US, Yoo is a ‘bona fide trade expert who has distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policymaker’.

Tides turned for the former Nigerian minister when Yoo Myung-hee bowed out of the race following her ‘consultations’ with supporting countries, including the US.

UPDATED: Nigerian becomes a flying officer in British RAF

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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UPDATED: Nigerian becomes a flying officer in British RAF

JOEL Ele-ójo Adams, a native of Abejukolo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, north-central Nigeria, has joined the sets of Nigerians to be commissioned as a flying officer, in the British Royal Air Force.

Her Majesty, Elizabeth II, also gave him a highly respected and prestigious honour in the United Kingdom for his outstanding contributions and research work and granted him citizenship.

The first-class graduate in Electrical Engineering from the Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State and recipient of the coveted Presidential Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), appreciated his instructors, family and friends whom he acknowledged were part of the process that has totally transformed him, even as he expressed readiness to take on the responsibilities ahead.

Read also: British govt trains 35 NDLEA officers in Nigeria, UK

In a Facebook post, @Joel Ele-ójo Adams said: “Being entrusted with the responsibility to defend the skies of Britain, its interest, and allies is a huge demand -but I am willing! Being in a position of command to double both as a military leader and a technical manager is a tough task – but I am ready! The journey ahead will, by all means, present formidable challenges – but I look forward to it!”

He added, “Oh Lord my God, I pray thee to grant me every wisdom, strength, courage (both physical and moral), and the enablement to fulfil this current assignment. Amen!”

Adams began his career at Ford Motors in the UK as the BOM Lead Project Analyst for Battery Electric Vehicles. With the great potential of his research work for military application, he was enlisted and shortly after awarded the Queen’s Commission as an Officer in the British Royal Air Force and took the pledge to defend Great Britain’s skies on the 15th March 2020.

Speaking about his journey, he admits that the last six months at the Royal Air Force Officers Training Academy, at Cranwell, were the most challenging, yet the most rewarding experience of his life and that the transition from civilian to service life tested his courage in every way possible.

“I made tough decisions! I was audacious to dare what people of my colour and background don’t! There were days I felt so alone, but somehow I kept going! There were times I got tired and questioned everything. Then I remember the purpose is bigger than me, and I persevered,” said.

Academically, Adams continues to outdo himself. He bagged a Masters degree in Control Systems from the Imperial College, London and proceeded to obtain a Doctorate in Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

Nigerians in the diaspora continue to do the country proud by excelling in different facets of their new society and contributing to their host countries’ development.

Note: The headline and first paragraph were updated to remove the word “first” as there are others before him in the British RAF.

UAE extends ban on Nigerian flights to March 10

Lukman ABOLADE
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0
UAE extends ban on Nigerian flights to March 10

THE government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that the suspension earlier placed on Nigerian flights have been extended to March 10, 2021.

This was disclosed in a travel advisory posted on the website of Emirates airline, the official carrier of the UAE, on Sunday.

The advisory titled ‘Temporary Suspension of Flights from Nigeria to Dubai until 10 March’ read that passengers from Abuja and Lagos international airports would not be allowed into UAE until March 10th.

“In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until 10 March 2021,” the statement read in part.

The UAE government maintained that passengers who had been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days were not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).

The ICIR had earlier reported the issues surrounding the suspension of outbound Nigerian flights to Dubai, the UAE capital.

Read Also: Inside suspension of Emirates, Air Peace flights from Nigeria to Dubai

Both the Nigerian and UAE government have disagreed over the COVID-19 protocol and guidelines placed by each government respectively.

While the Nigerian government had approved the use of PCR COVID-19 tests for Nigerians travelling outside the country, the UAE government insisted that an RDT test should be taken before Nigerians were allowed into the country.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it discovered that Emirates had been requesting an additional RDT test from Nigerian passengers done at unapproved centres, which was a violation of the federal government’s guideline.

According to Sam Adurogboye, spokesperson for the NCAA, the position of the Nigerian government was that the UAE should either accept the PCR test or suspend its operations until further development.

“When we saw the violation, we placed a ban and they wrote to us again, pledging to abide by our own position. Now, we gave them two conditions: It’s either you bring in passengers and don’t take out or suspend your operations. They chose to opt for one of the conditions until a certain period,” Adurogboye told The ICIR.

Old Edo video resurfaces online amidst Hausa, Yoruba clash in Oyo State

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Old Edo video resurfaces online amidst Hausa, Yoruba clash in Oyo State

A video has been shared multiple times on the social media, claiming a gruesome attack on Nigeria’s northern community in Oyo State.

This video surfaced online at the heat of the Hausa/Yoruba clash reported in Oyo State on Friday, February 12, 2021, leading to a trending hashtag #StopKillingNortherners on Twitter the following day.

Multiple Twitter users shared the video reportedly to call attention to the ongoing crisis in Oyo State, South-Western region of Nigeria.

A Twitter handle @SirTafawaBalewa shared the video with the following texts: “#StopKillingNortherners in Oyo State. Enough is Enough!”

The video which was also shared by @Am_Saleem and @El_abdool shows people lynching a number of men on the allegations that they were Fulani herdsmen caught with guns and weapons.

Despite pleas from other individuals within the mob discouraging the hoodlums from jungle justice, some of them or their belongings were later set ablaze, with fire seen in the video.

The action has, however, been criticised by most people on the thread.

The Claim

The video shows the attack on northerners in Oyo State following the Hausa/Yoruba clash in Shasha community, Akinyele Local Government Area.

A screenshot of the claim.
The Findings

Multiple searches conducted by the FactCheckHub traced the video to Edo State and not Oyo State as alluded in the viral tweets.

The earliest time it appeared on the internet was on February 8, 2021, when the suspects were reportedly caught with rifles and other weapons.

The report stated that the incident happened around Ekenwan in Benin City, Edo State.

The video online 5 days prior to February 14, 2021 when a screenshot was taken.

A version of the video was also found on a Facebook story by Sanmi Oje. The location was identified as Edo State. “Edo state is no longer safe,” said an unidentified narrator in the video.

Read Also: I joined #OccupyLekkiTollGate to save lives of protesters, says Mr Macaroni

On February 8, 2021, yet another version of the video was posted on YouTube. The commentator, whose face was shown in the video, said it happened at Ekenwan barrack, in Edo State.

Even though the same video was taken from different angles with different commentators, it was from the same incident as the same cars and rifles were identified. From the different angles of the video, people could be seen recording the incident with their smartphones. This explains why there are different versions of the incident from different angles.

In addition, the language spoken in the video was not Yoruba but Pidgin English peculiar to natives of Southern Nigeria, majorly and also Bini, a native language spoken in Edo State.

The Oyo clash between the Hausa and Yoruba was reported to have started on February 10, 2021 and escalated by the evening of February 12, 2021.

This implies that the incident shared in the claim had occurred a few days before the Oyo ethnic clash and at least four days before the escalation that led to the destructions at Shasha in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Furthermore, Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson for Edo State Police Command, confirmed to the FactCheckHub that the incident took place in Edo State.

He said, “The incident happened in Ogede Community, Ovia South-West, Edo State. Four persons were involved and they were alleged to have been caught with firearms and they could not give reasons why they bared arms. They were not with any government recognised security organisation.”

The Verdict

The claim that the video shows an attack on northerners in Oyo State following the Hausa/Yoruba clash in Shasha, Akinyele Local Government Area, is FALSE. This is because the video predates the Oyo incident.

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