Home Blog Page 1956

Two years after ICIR report, FG removes ranking, career progression disparity between HND and Degree holders in Civil Defence, three others

YEKEEN Akinwale
-
0
Two years after ICIR report, FG removes ranking, career progression disparity between HND and Degree holders in Civil Defence, three others

THE Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board (CDFIPB) says it has withdrawn the ranking and career progression disparity between HND and Degree holders in the four paramilitary outfits. 

Alhassan Yakmut, Secretary of the Board in a memo dated October 16 referenced CDCFIB/1001/vol1/110 issued at the end of a meeting of the Board held between September 24 and 25, 2020 stated that all candidates recruited by the Board with HND will be placed as Assistant Superintendent II CONPASS 08 level and can rise to the highest position in their respective services without discriminatory ceiling or hindrance.

In the letter obtained by The ICIR, Yakmut directed that all Inspectorate ranks from Senior Inspector to Cheif Inspector  I are abolished, noting that all these officers would be converted to appropriate superintendent ranks.

“To maintain the level of seniority of officers and ensure discipline, individual level of conversion and the effective date will be worked out by the board and the Services and will be communicated in due course,” he stated.

With this, Yakmut said, all ranks in the Services are hencforth aligned with that of the Nigeria Police, adding that new ranking system and badges of rank would be introduced soon.

This is coming more than two years after The ICIR reported that there was a growing disquiet among officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the failure of the authorities of the Corps to implement the directive by the Federal Ministry of Interior to all para-military outfits under its supervision to remove the dichotomy between HND and BSc holders in their services.

Abubakar Magaji, then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, had on July 13, 2017, issued a statement announcing the removal of the dichotomy between holders of university degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND) in all the services.

According to the statement, Magaji said “the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board (CDFIPB), at the end of its meeting held on Tuesday, July 11 2017, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, approved the regularization of the dichotomy between holders of university degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND) in all the Services.

“To this end, the Board directed that all officers with HND to be upgraded to CONPASS 08, which is the salary Grade Level for holders of Degree certificates at entry point. While the nomenclature for the HND holders will start with the Rank of Senior Inspector, the Degree holders are with the rank of Assistant Superintendent II.”

Also, in March 2018, Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Service of the Federation issued a circular directing all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to remove the dichotomy between HND and BSc holders.

The circular dated March 26, 2018, conveyed the decision of the National Council on Establishment (NCE) to all concerned and solicited their support for implementation.

Who killed, shot at Lekki peaceful protesters?

Lukman ABOLADE
-
0
Who killed, shot at Lekki peaceful protesters?

ON Tuesday evening at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State, some #ENDSARS protesters were shot by men in Military uniform while protesting against police brutality and other injustices meted out to Nigerians.

As at the time of filing this report, there are no specific figures as to how many Nigerians were killed in what some have described as a ‘massacre’ in the elite axis of Lagos state, however, The ICIR can confirm that there are more than twenty persons in the hospital due to gunshot wounds and others.

Following the tragic incidence, the question being asked by many Nigerians is; Who killed and shot peaceful protesters in Lekki?

The shooters were evidently seen in military uniform according to videos that surfaced on social media, some are of the opinion that they are soldiers of the Nigerian Army, but the Army Headquarters has denied its involvement in the shooting.

The Nigerian Army authorities have tweeted that the report about the attack on Lekki protesters is fake news.

Text message and calls to Sagir Musa, the Nigerian Army Spokesperson, have not been replied as at the time of filing this report.

The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Command saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties in the state has also not made a statement about the occurrence.

When The ICIR contacted Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos Police spokesperson, he declined to comment.

“I can’t speak on it right now, the command would make a statement on the incidence as at when due,” Adejobi told The ICIR.

Government in denial

Babjide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state in his initial speech said ‘forces beyond the direct control’ of the government was responsible for the incidence.

“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The ICIR sent a text message to Gbenga Omotosho, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, asking for clarification on what or who the governor was referring to as ‘forces beyond our direct control’. There has been no response yet.

However, before the incidence, while Sanwo-Olu was giving the directive for a 24-hour curfew in the state he had said the curfew is meant for security operatives to ‘restore order to the state’.

“This curfew will allow security officials to immediately restore order to the state, arrest thugs and miscreants that have disrupted the peace,” his statement read in part.

The Federal government, the Lagos State government, Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force have been unable to identify or tell Nigerians who killed and shot at Lekki peaceful protesters.

Despite video evidence, Sanwo-Olu says no death occured at Lekki tollgate during military attack

Vincent Ufuoma
-
0
Despite video evidence, Sanwo-Olu says no death occured at Lekki tollgate during military attack

BABAJIDE Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has denied that there was death in yesterday’s attack against unarmed #ENDSARS protesters in the Lekki tollgate area of Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu in a live broadcast to residents of the state on Wednesday morning, said images and video footages circulating on social media were false.

According to him, two critically wounded victims had been operated on and were in stable condition while others with “mild to moderate” cases are still receiving treatments at various hospitals.

“Fellow Lagosians, whilst we pray for the swift recovery of the injured, we have not recorded any fatality as against the widespread circulation on social media,” he said.

“Myself and the leadership of the ministry of health have been going round. Indeed, we went round the hospitals last night. We went round mortuaries last night to see and to monitor for ourselves what had happened and to look and identify the injured protesters.

“We personally visited the hospitals that took in these patients. 10 patients at the General Hospital in Lagos, 11 patients were at the two locations of the Reddington Hospitals both in Lekki and Victoria Island,” he said, adding others sets were at various hospitals in the Lekki area.

“I want to expressly say that over the night, two of them had to go through surgery and I am happy to say that they are all stable and they are recovering very well. Quite a number of others are just mild to moderate states.

“Indeed, three of them had been discharged this morning and I am told that additional three to four will be discharged anytime from now.”

Sanwo-Olu, who admitted that soldiers opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate area last night in a bid to disperse them, said he is currently engaging the leadership of the Nigerian Army on the development.

He stressed that as a governor of the state, he does not control the military forces.

“For clarity, it is imperative to explain that no sitting governor controls the rules of engagement of the military. I have, nonetheless, ordered an investigation into the rules of engagement adopted by men of the Nigerian Army that were deployed to the Lekki toll gate last night.

“This is with a view to take this up with higher commands of the Nigerian Army and to seek the intervention of Mr President in his capacity as the Commander-In-Chief to unravel the sequence of events that happened yesterday (Tuesday) night.

Meanwhile, there were reports of sporadic shootings at unarmed #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate by soldiers on Tuesday night.

Before the shootings, there was a power outage and removal of CCTV cameras from the toll gate, as captured by video camera.

Many Lagosians have condemned the governor’s speech, saying it’s full of false narrative.

Fifteen hours after soldiers opened fire on unarmed #ENDSARS protesters, Presidency keeps mute

Amos ABBA
-
0
Fifteen hours after soldiers opened fire on unarmed #ENDSARS protesters, Presidency keeps mute

FIFTEEN hours after soldiers opened fire on unarmed #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki toll plaza in Lagos  Tuesday night, the Presidency is yet to communicate to Nigerians on the shooting of the protesters.

Many were believed to have sustained various degrees of injuries while an unconfirmed number of protesters were reported after soldiers were seen in a video shooting at protesters when they were reciting the National Anthem.

Also, no official statement has been issued by the media aides to President Mohammadu Buhari as the social media accounts of Femi Adesina, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, and Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, Media, and Publicity have been silent while Nigerians await a presidential broadcast or at least a statement.

Efforts to reach Shehu on phone proved abortive as he did not respond to phone calls to his line.

The incident which is now dubbed “Lekki Massacre” took place at Lekki toll plaza hours after the Lagos State Government had declared a 24-hour curfew as part of efforts to stop the violence in some parts of the state following reports that hoodlums who were attacking protesters.

The Lekki toll plaza had been a rallying point of the nationwide protest where Nigerians youths had consistently gathered to kick against police brutality and maladministration in the country.

Soldiers had stormed the area and started shooting sporadically based on witness accounts and video footages circulating on social media.

Scenes of protesters trying to remove a bullet from someone’s wound was broadcast in a live video by DJ Switch, a popular disc jockey, to 150,000 Instagram viewers.

Another video showed the toll gate itself, with a protester waving a Nigerian flag, as people ran amid the sounds of gunfire.

President Buhari had on Tuesday held scheduled talks with the Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff around 6:15 pm to discuss national security according to a Reuters report.

The outcome of their meeting was not made public.

Hillary Clinton, former US presidential aspirant had called on the Nigerian Government to stop the killing #EndSARS protesters at 11:11 pm, four hours after the incident hit social media.

“I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young#EndSARS protesters. #StopNigerianGovernment,” she tweeted.

 

Rihanna Fenty, an American singer in a tweet lent her voice to the ongoing #EndSARS protests in Nigeria five hours after the attack saying she couldn’t bear to see the torture and brutality that has continued to occur not only in Nigeria.

“I can’t bear to see this torture and brutalization that is continuing to affect nations across our planet.

“It is such a betrayal to the citizens, the very people put in place to protect are the ones we are most afraid of being murdered by. My heart is broken for Nigeria. It is unbearable to watch,” she tweeted.

 

‘Forces beyond our direct control’ to be blamed for Lekki massacre – Sanwo-Olu

Seun DUROJAIYE
-
0
‘Forces beyond our direct control’ to be blamed for Lekki massacre – Sanwo-Olu

BABAJIDE Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State has blamed forces beyond his control for murder of #EndSARS protesters by government forces at the Lekki Toll Gate Tuesday night.

“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger,” a post on Sanwo-Olu’s official Twitter page shared around 4 am on Wednesday read in part.

This was shortly before the governor announced that he had visited injured victims of what many are tagging ‘Lekki massacre’ on social media.

“I’ve just concluded visits to hospitals with victims of this unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki,” he said Wednesday morning. 

“There are currently 10 patients at the Gen Hospital, 11 at Reddington and 4 at Vedic; with mild to moderate levels of injuries while 2 are receiving intensive medical care. Three patients have been discharged & we will continue to monitor and ensure all patients get the best care.”

Sanwo-Olu said, “As the Governor of our state, I recognize the buck stops at my table and I will work with the FG to get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilise all security operations to protect the lives of our residents.”
The Governor afterward said he would make a statewide broadcast.

There has been no official account of how many lives were lost but reports reveal that as protesters sat and waved the Nigeria flag while reciting the National Anthem, lights at the Lekki Toll Gate were turned off and gunshots started raining down.

Hours before the incident, Sanwo-Olu had imposed a 24-hour curfew, ordering it to begin at 4 pm on Tuesday.

However, resolute in their demands for an end to police brutality in Nigeria, protesters remained at the toll gate to call for justice.

Just a few minutes before the incident, the Lagos State government in an updated tweet extended the curfew start time to 9 pm, announcing that it would enable people stuck in traffic to get to their destinations.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, former United States of America Secretary of State and former first lady has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army to stop killing peaceful #EndSARS protesters.

Clinton on her verified handle in a tweet wrote: “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy  to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment”.

As of the time of this report, no official statements have been released by President Buhari.

Soldiers open fire at #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

Olayinka SHEHU
-
0
Soldiers open fire at #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

A number of #EndSARS protesters in Lekki, Lagos State have been reportedly shot dead by men of the Nigerian Army who  besieged the venue of the protest at Lekki Toll Gate, shooting live bullets directly at protesters.

Images and videos of the shooting by the soldiers are being shared online, with some clips showing soldiers moving towards the protesters and shooting directly at them.

Also, the shooting was streamedlive on Tuesday night on Instagram by DJ Switch, a Nigerian artiste, who was at the location.

Nigerians have for the past two weeks been protesting against Police brutality and demanding the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a notorious unit accused of perpetrating human rights abuses and also demanding for a total reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

Many protesters were reported dead, with some stating that more may have been killed by the trigger-happy soldiers.

Vanguard Newspaper reported that not fewer than 11 victims of gunshot were at Reddington Hospital, a private hospital in Lagos.

Omoni Oboli, a Nigerian actress confirming the incident, said security agents attacked the unharmed demonstrators.

She said, “Jesus!!! Take the wheel! Unarmed protesters are getting shot at right now at Lekki toll gate #LekkiTollGateShooting #EndSARS I’m hearing no stop gunshots. Make it stop.”

“I’m on the phone with someone there! I hear gunshots. The military are there shooting at unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the toll gate. People’s kids. Pls help”

Several witnesses at the Lekki toll gate where the #EndSARS demonstrators have been protesting for nearly two weeks have shared videos and photos from the scene.

Feyikemi Abudu, an end sars protesters also confirmed the incident in a tweet.

She said, “They shot those people. They saw a group of unarmed people sitting on the ground and they opened fire. In the dark. They didn’t think to use any other way. They shot them and blood is on their hands. They shot them for asking for the right to not be killed.”

It was also reported that the soldiers turned back ambulances dispatched to treat those injured.

A Twitter handle @amos_sylva in a tweet said ambulances were turned back.

The tweet read, “Ambulance just turn back they said the Nigeria ARMY didn’t allow them to pass for them to rescue the life of the Nigerian youths in lekki tollgate…..what a sad news.”

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor had declared a 24-hour curfew, citing the violence that greeted the #EndSARS protest in the state.

He had earlier said the curfew will kick-off at exactly 4:00pm, but the State government later at 7:08pm when the shooting was being reported tweeted through the State government official handle that the enforcement would now start at 9:00pm.

The tweet read, “Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that enforcement of the 24hour curfew in the State should not start until 9pm to enable people stuck in traffic get to their destinations.”

The Lagos State government confirmed the shooting in a series of tweets by Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, stating that the State Government had ordered an investigation into the incident.

He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.”

Despite the curfew, some protesters refused to leave the toll gate which was originally set to commence at 4:00pm, but was later extended to 9:00pm, insisting the government carry out the reform.

Eyewitnesses at the toll gate who posted on social media about the incident reported that soldiers drafted to the scene shot live bullets at protesters who staged a peaceful sit-in demonstration.

UN to Nigerian Government: Stop human rights violations, respect peaceful protesters

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
-
0
UN to Nigerian Government: Stop human rights violations, respect peaceful protesters

THE United Nations (UN) on Tuesday night asked the Nigerian government to put an end to human rights violations and respect rights of peaceful protesters.

Amina Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General made the call through her verified social media handle on behalf of the global body following public condemnations of military attacks on peaceful protesters in Lagos.

Her response was on the heel of public demand by Damini Ogulu, a popular Nigerian musician who called on the UN and Mohammed’s Office to intervene against extrajudicial killings of peaceful protesters, particularly at the Lekki Toll Gate area of the state.

Babajide Sanwoolu, the state Governor had earlier issued a 24-hour curfew in the state following a consistent protest which had reportedly turned violent in some parts of the state.

The initial time fixed for the curfew was 4 pm, Tuesday evening but it was later adjusted to 9 pm. As of this time, the demonstrators were still at the protest ground.

Protesters who had spent days at the Lekki Toll Gate protesting against the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and poor governance had insisted they would remain at the protest ground until their demands are met. But the incident had resulted in bloody chaos  as  video of military gunshots spread across the social media.

Video footages and pictures have been shared on the internet to prove that the military’s used live ammunition on the peaceful protesters.

“UN, Amina Mohammed and UN Watch, the situation in Lagos is now out of control!!! You guys need to intervene even though I know there is a protocol. This is serious,” he tweeted.

She said the UN and her office are following the ongoing protests in Nigeria and called for an end to human rights violation in the country.

“UN and I are following the protests in Nigeria calling for an end to human rights violations,” she stated.

“I join the United Nations Secretary-General in stressing the importance of respect for peaceful protests and freedom of assembly and call on the security forces to exercise maximum restraint,” she tweeted.

“I’ve been asked about the ongoing protests in Nigeria and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is following the protests in Nigeria calling for the dissolution of the SARS and an end to human rights violations allegedly committed by security agencies,” the statement read in part.

Hillary Clinton, a former United States presidential candidate had earlier warned  Buhari administration and the Nigerian Army to “stop killing #EndSARS protesters.

 

 

 

Stop killing young #EndSARS protesters, Clinton tells Buhari, Army

Olayinka SHEHU
-
0
Stop killing young #EndSARS protesters, Clinton tells Buhari, Army

HILLARY Clinton, former United States of America Secretary of State and former first lady has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army to stop killing peaceful #EndSARS protesters.

Clinton made the call hours after report of soldiers of the Nigerian Army opening fire at peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos.

Unknown numbers have been reportedly killed, while scores injured as a result of the military action.

Clinton on her verified handle in a tweet wrote: “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy  to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment”.

Nigerians for the past two years have been protesting against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force accused of human rights abuses and also calling on the Government to scrap the unit.

Hundreds of protesters for more than one week have camped at the Lekki-Epe toll demanding comprehensive police reform.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State State governor imposed a 24-hour curfew on Tuesday afternoon after the state saw an uptick of violence from thugs who tried to hijack the peaceful protests.

Despite the curfew, some protesters refused to leave the toll gate which was originally set to commence at 4:00pm, but was later extended to 9:00pm.

The protesters insist the government must carry out the reform of the police.

Eyewitnesses at the toll gate who posted on social media  reported that soldiers drafted to the scene shot live cartridges at protesters  staging a peaceful sit-in demonstration.

#ENDSARS: One killed in Oye-Ekiti as security details open fire on protesters

Vincent Ufuoma
-
0
#ENDSARS: One killed in Oye-Ekiti as security details open fire on protesters

AT least one #ENDSARS protester has been confirmed killed by security details attached to a yet to be identified convoy in Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State Tuesday evening.

An eyewitness who identified the victim as Tunde told The ICIR that the security details attached to the convoy indiscriminately opened fire on the protesters who had blocked the road connecting Oye to Kogi and Abuja since Monday in solidarity with the ongoing #ENDSARS protesters in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state after the #ENDSARS protest turned violent in the last two days in the state.

Biodun Oyebanji, Secretary to the State Government, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Ekiti State Government has observed with growing concern, how the EndSARS protest, which started as a peaceful protest against police brutality by youths in the state, has been hijacked by hoodlums who capitalised on the situation to rape, assault, rob and extort money from innocent citizens across the State,” Oyebanji said.

“In the past 48 hours, there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station.

“These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the EndSARS protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.”

He stated that “Government, therefore, cannot afford to watch a deliberate enthronement of anarchy by some bad elements who have hijacked the protest for some clandestine reasons.”

“These are in addition to the wanton destruction of properties, particularly private properties.”

Oyebanji said Government was concerned not to allow the situation to continue, noting that it would lead to a breakdown of law and order.

“For the purpose of clarity, Government continues to show understanding and responsiveness to the demands of the legitimate protesters,” he said.

“Government has also at various times drawn the attention of the protesters to a possible hijack of the protests by individuals whose only interest is to inflict violence on the people of the state.

Oyebanji further said that during the curfew, starting from 10.00 pm on Tuesday, October 20, only workers on essential duties and service providers with valid means of identifications are allowed to move around.

He warned that any person found on the street, not belonging to this category of exempted groups, would be promptly arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of Ekiti State.

“We seek the understanding of the good people of Ekiti State as we continue to take deliberate steps towards ensuring that peace and normalcy return to our state,” he added.

NIMC emerges govt agency with best website

Damilola OJETUNDE
-
0
NIMC emerges govt agency with best website

THE National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has emerged winner in the ranking of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies’ (MDAs) websites.

Andrew Adejo, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at the launch of the 2019/2020 Federal Government scorecard for ranking of MDAs unveiled the winners at the event.

Adejo said out of the 169 MDAs that were evaluated by the Inter-Ministerial Team (IMT) that comprised representatives from both government and non-governmental organisations, NIMC ranked first.

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) emerged second, while the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) both shared the third position.

Dasuki Arabi,  Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) who also is the Chairman of the IMT said the evaluation results have achieved the intended significant improvement with the standard of MDAs websites.

He noted that the ranking indicated that a good number of the MDAs were complying with the criteria of the scorecard drawn from 39 per cent to 53 per cent.

“All MDAs are now on .gov.ng domain, there has been a remarkable improvement in the majority of the MDAs website colour blend recommended for government websites,” Arabi said.

He also said most government agencies websites’ contents are currently relevant with their mandate and to government extant policies

According to him, most MDAs now publish accurate and up-to-date information about their operations and services to the nation.

Criteria set for each MDAs’ website to meet are; domain string (.gov.ng/ .ng) and local website hosting, appearance, and aesthetics (look and feel), content, relevance to MDAs mandate/ government policy, structure, responsiveness (device compatibility) and security.

Other criteria include load time, usability/ease of navigation, availability /uptime, functionality, interactivity, accessibility, and capacity building.

The Ministry of Information and Culture emerged first in the 2018 edition of the scorecard.

1...1,9551,9561,957...3,440Page 1,956 of 3,440