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Buhari’s aide, Onochie says cyber-criminals behind #ENDSARS’ social media protest

Lukman ABOLADE
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Buhari’s aide, Onochie says cyber-criminals behind #ENDSARS’ social media protest

LAURETTA Onochie, a special assistant to the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media says #ENDSARS protests on social media is a coordinated attack by cyber-criminals.

Onochie said this in a Twitter post on Sunday as many Nigerians including celebrities and politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Bukola Saraki, former Senate President took to social media to call on the Federal Government to disband the notorious the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) over alleged highhandedness.

Commenting on the social media protest, Onochie said ‘I have no doubt that there are some staff of SARS who are unprofessional in their dealings with d public, the same way we have unprofessionalism in d Army, Mainstream Police, Customs, Civil Service, Public Service, traders, Lawyers, Doctors, journalists, teachers, pastors, etc.”

‘But what is going on now, is a coordinated attack by cybercriminals joined by unsuspecting innocent citizens’.

She noted that the call for the disbandment or reform of the FSARS was not coming for the first time.

Onochie added that Nigerians should stand by their national institutions stating that it was the core of patriotism.

“This is not the first time. We must stand by our national institutions while working to improve their effectiveness. That’s what patriotism is about,” she tweeted.

It would be recalled that Nigerians over the weekend mounted a renewed campaign to #ENDSARS, after a video surfaced of a man allegedly pushed out from a moving car by operatives of SARS in Ughelli, Delta State.

Your father was most detribalised Nigerian, Jonathan tells Shagari’s son

Vincent Ufuoma
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Your father was most detribalised Nigerian, Jonathan tells Shagari’s son

GOODLUCK Jonathan, Nigerian former President has described late Shehu Shagari, the Nigerian Second Republic president,  as a most detribalised Nigerian.

Jonathan stated this on Monday afternoon in response to an apology by Aminu Shagari, the late President’s son.

The former President who described his experience as an act allowed by God said he took no offense.

While stating he has no enemy to fight, he charged Shagari to emulate the detribalised nature of his late father.

“Dear Honourable Aminu Shagari, thank you for your apology. However, I never took offence,” Jonathan said in a post on his Facebook page.

“My firm belief is that I am a pencil in the Hand of God. Therefore, I have no enemies to fight, because of my confidence that people can only do to me what God permits.”

“I urge you to continue to emulate the humility of your father, the late President Shehu Shagari, a most detribalised Nigerian. May God bless you.”

Aminu Shagari, had in an interview with The Punch expressed his regret for the role he played in the 2015 general elections that led to the eventual defeat of Jonathan while seeking reelection as Nigerian president.

Shagari, who was enraged by the lack of commitment that President Muhammadu Buhari has displayed towards a promise he made to immortalize his late father whom Buhari overthrew in a coup in 1983 asked for forgiveness from Jonathan because he helped to bring down his government.

He said what he and others thought about the former president’s stewardship was not entirely true.

“Let me use this opportunity to tender a public apology to former President Jonathan and seek forgiveness because I helped to divide the Peoples Democratic Party and bring down his government, but, I have found out that what we thought about his stewardship was not entirely true,” Shagari’s son said.

“I expect President Buhari to also ask for forgiveness having found out that most of the things he accused my dad’s and President Jonathan’s administrations of were not true.”

Speaking further, Shagari said he was disappointed at Buhari’s administration, noting that what Nigeria needed to overcome the crisis of insecurity was bold leadership.

He slammed Buhari who according to him has refused to listen to the voice of reasonings in handling the insecurity prevalent in the country.

“I believe if we get it right in this aspect of our national life, our story would turn from bad to good within a short time. With emphasis, all we require is a credible and sincere leadership that will maximise our God-given talents and resources,” He said.

“A lot of us committed so much to bring this administration on board. As an individual, I assumed that, if nothing else, we would get the issue of security right, and every other thing would follow.”

Aminu Shagari lamented that “our security situation has degenerated from bad to worse and the President has refused to listen to every voice of reasoning. “

He said rather, the President has turned a deaf ear to what people were saying and insisted on keeping the Service Chiefs.

“Just recently, the government slammed the entire citizenry with a double post-COVID-19 assault – fuel price hike and increase in electricity tariff, without considering the income of Nigerians.

“With the minimum wage, in the face of the depreciating value of the naira, how do you expect an average Nigerian worker to survive, meet their family’s financial needs, and be happy?,” he said.

 

Again, ASUU tackles FG over nonpayment of members’ salaries at UniMaid, Micheal Okpara Varsity

Lukman ABOLADE
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Again, ASUU tackles FG over nonpayment of members’ salaries at UniMaid, Micheal Okpara Varsity

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again tackled the Federal Government over the nonpayment of salaries of some lecturers at the University of Maiduguri and Micheal Okpara Univesity of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State for the past six months.

Ayoola Akinwole, Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan said this in a statement alleging that the Federal Government was using propaganda against the union.

“As of today, October 4, 2020, ASUU members are being owed three months’ salaries. In some universities like MOAU and UNIMAID our members have not received their salaries for up to six months,” Akinwole said.

He further alleged that the Federal Government has also ‘criminally withheld’ five months deductions from members of the union.

“The Federal Government, through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, has criminally withheld five months’ (February to June 2020) check-off deducted from our members’ salaries without remittance to the union.

“The government has forcefully enlisted our members into the National Housing Fund scheme and has consistently been illegally deducting money for this from our members’ salaries,” he noted.

Akinwole threatened that the strike would continue if the Federal Government does not stop telling ‘lies and propaganda against the union.

“Our ongoing total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action will continue if this propaganda and lies against ASUU by appointees and representatives of the Federal Government like the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, persists,” the Chairman said.

Chris Ngige, the Nigerian Minister of Labour and Productivity had said the Federal Government has been paying members of the union since the outbreak of COVID-19 adding that the strike would ‘soon come to an end’.

“The issue of ASUU will soon come to an end. Two reasons – ASUU has called the Federal Government, represented by Finance and the Accountant-General Office and their direct employers, the Ministry of Education to come for the test.”

“We are ready to do that. After the independence day celebration, the four ministries and agencies involved will gather together with ASUU. We will look at the UTAS. If there are shortcomings with IPPIS as complained which UTAS have corrected. What’s wrong about it? It is software, we will look at it.”

“Secondly, ASUU members have been collecting their money since COVID-19 came and I wrote a memo to Mr president that ASUU members are still Nigerians. Even the members have families that they care for. By upper week, we are going to arrange for this demonstration,” Ngige said.

ENDSARS: IGP assures me deep reforms, sanctioning of officers and protection of the youth – Sunday Dare

Lukman ABOLADE
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ENDSARS: IGP assures me deep reforms, sanctioning of officers and protection of the youth – Sunday Dare

SUNDAY Dare, the Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sport says Muhammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP),  has assured him of deep reforms and sanctioning of officers in the Nigerian Police Force.

The Minister disclosed this on Monday morning in a post on his official Twitter handle concerning the recent calls by Nigerians to the Federal Government to disband the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) over alleged misconducts of SARS operatives against members of the public.

“This morning I visited the IGP for further discussions on the activities of FSARS and the need to end the harassment, profiling, and dehumanization of our youth by some bad officers. IGP gave strong assurances on deep reforms, sanctioning of officers and protection of the youth,” Dare tweeted.

Following a massive social media outcry by Nigerians against the excesses of operatives of the SARS, the IGP on Sunday suspended the Special Tactical Squads (STS) from routine patrols.

“With this ban, the Police personnel are to desist from, “carrying out routine patrols, and other low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc. with immediate effect,” the IGP said in a statement by Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer.

The IGP also activated a nationwide Monitoring Unit of the NPF to ensure enforcement of the suspension.

However, some Nigerians are unsatisfied with the suspension arguing that the FSARS had earlier been suspended in 2018 but the suspension was not implemented.

A former Nigerian Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili on Monday also called on Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari to desist from mere announcements and ‘act decisively’.

“Nigeria President who as C-in-C (Commander in Chief of the Armed forces) directly supervises the Nigeria Police, should stop merely announcing measures that failed to change the behaviour of SARS Rogue Police officers in the past.

“For once, act decisively to preserve the lives of your citizens. Serious solutions, please,” Ezekwesili tweeted.

In a video accompanied by the tweet, Ezekwesili further stated that ‘If so many voices are complaining about the same entity in the government, we must investigate thoroughly and in an independent way to find what the problems are so that we can solve them. That is good governance.’

By the time you cut the hands of 10, 20 people in this country, nobody will want to steal again- Smart Adeyemi

Vincent Ufuoma
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By the time you cut the hands of 10, 20 people in this country, nobody will want to steal again- Smart Adeyemi

SMART Adeyemi, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly has proposed cutting off of hands for corrupt public officials to reduce the stealing of public funds in the country.

“What am I talking about? Let us confront corruption. Very soon I’m coming back to the chamber to bring bills on ICPC and EFCC. I want us to introduce Mosaic law, what you call Sharia law. By the time you cut the hands of 10, 20 people in this country, nobody will want to steal again,” Adeyemi said.

Adeyemi said this while speaking at a retreat for the Senate Press Corps in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday.

“Like I said on the floor of the Senate; if we want this country to be great, we must look at some Acts of Parliament; moreso the ones that have to do with anti-graft agencies. I want my children to be happier than I am in Nigeria, and to do that there must be enough money to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.”

He further argued that corrupt public officials can also be sentenced to work on mechanised agriculture land of about 200 to 250 acres.

“By the time you say two, three people should face serious punishment; if you say that is too harsh let us have mechanised agriculture of about 200, 250 acres, once you are involved in corruption, you will spend your life farming for us.”

Speaking on the re-election of Governor Yahaya Bello, Adeyemi said it was due to the ability of the governor to bring people of various divides together and his developmental strides across the state.

“There are things within a state that determines who wins the election. Let me just give you one of the secrets why the governor won this election,” he said.

“When he came into office, he brought everyone together. He won again because he was able to put in some landmark achievements that others could not do. In my senatorial district, we have a rice mill; it is one of the biggest that you can think of.”

 

Presidency says calls for restructuring are unhelpful and unwarranted

Lukman ABOLADE
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Presidency says calls for restructuring are unhelpful and unwarranted

THE Presidency says the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the COVID-19 health crisis, rather than focusing on calls for the restructuring of the country. 

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said in a statement that the Federal Government would not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure describing the calls for restructuring as unpatriotic outbursts that are both unhelpful and unwarranted.

“The Presidency responds to the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to do one thing or another or else, in their language, ‘the nation will break up,”  Shehu said. statement.

“This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the COVID-19 health crisis.”

The presidential spokesperson further warned that the government under President Muhammadu Buhari would not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of a health crisis.”

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari would “continue to work with patriotic Nigerians” in line with the legislative process to finding solutions to “structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people”.

Shehu’s statement follows calls by different groups and individuals that the government should carry out a restructuring of the country.

Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) had on Saturday advised the Federal Government to consider restructuring the current system of government to proffer possible solutions to challenges confronting the country.

“We all know that we must restructure. It is either we restructure or we break, you don’t have to be a prophet to know that one. That is certain – restructure or we break up. Now, we don’t want to break up, God forbid. In the restructuring, why don’t we have a Nigerian kind of democracy? At the federal level, why don’t we have a President and a Prime Minister? he said.

Lagos State Government warns residents on release of water from Oyan Dam

Vincent Ufuoma
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Lagos State Government warns residents on release of water from Oyan Dam

THE Lagos State Government, on Sunday, warned residents, especially those living close to the banks of the Ogun River to remain alert as more water will be released from Oyan Dam this month, due to expected heavy rainfall.

Tunji Bello, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, disclosed that 23 million cubic meters of water will be released in October, which is the peak of the rainfall season.

Bello explained in a statement that the release from the Oyan Dam, which will be the highest so far, is as a result of the intensive rainfall over the past few days and is expected to peak in the current month.

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He, therefore, enjoined all residents of Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Oni-Irin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun and all areas bordering the rivers and the sea in Lagos to be wary of the staggered release, adding that by November, a reduced release of 11million cubic meters will be effected as the intensity of the rainfall declines.

Bello pointed out that data provided by the Nigerian Hydrological Services has shown the months of July, August, September, and October, as JASO months, characterised by heavy rainfall, flooding, and flood disasters in most parts of the country.

While noting that the reminder became necessary because the projected heavy rainfall, which had increased in September, will still continue with high intensity this month leading to the staggered release of water from the dam, the Commissioner disclosed that Lagos State Government is, however, intensifying measures to minimise the effect of the heavy rainfall on lives and property.

He averred that, in continuation of the preventive efforts against flooding by the State Government, work is almost completed on all the primary and secondary channels, stating that this is in addition to the efforts of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) that are being deployed around the state to undertake quick fix of clogged manholes or drains manually.

“For a coastal city like Lagos, let me remind everyone that once it rains consistently for a minimum of eight hours, we are bound to have flash floods caused by the increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon, which is brought about by a rise in the ocean level,” Bello said.

“This will automatically lock up all our drainages and would be unable to discharge until the water level goes down.”

“Flash floods are not peculiar to Lagos. It is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world, including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding. Lagos is at the receiving end of three types of flooding, namely Coastal, Urban, and River flooding because of the peculiarity of its location.”

While urging residents to adopt an attitudinal change by not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, Bello vowed that anyone caught violating the environmental laws of the state will be punished accordingly.

He also emphasised that all residents owe it a duty to support the efforts of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to ensure that heavy rainfall does not wreak havoc in any part of the metropolis.

Lagos command releases phone numbers to call when faced with harassment, extortion by policemen

Vincent Ufuoma
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Lagos command releases phone numbers to call when faced with harassment, extortion by policemen

IN a bid to curb public disturbance of residents, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has instructed the Public Relations Officer of the Command to roll out the telephone numbers of the Force Public Complaint Bureau, to enable the general public lodge complaints against police harassment, brutality and extortion in the State.

This is in addition to the already released phone numbers.

While restating zero tolerance for unethical and inhumane conducts by his men, Odumosu ordered all checkmating units in the Command including Provost, X-Squad, CP Monitoring Team and Public Complaint Bureau (PCB), to wake up to their duties and arrest any policeman who deviates from the normal ethics and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Nigeria Police within the State.

He also urged members of the public to always take the pains of identifying such policemen who harass, brutalise and extort them as Lagos State hosts many police formations aside from the Lagos State Command, noting that such identification is sine-qua-non to immediate investigation and disciplinary actions against the erring personnel.

He appealed to the general public to contact the Command (Public Complaint Bureau) on the following numbers: 09057597931 (WhatsApp), 09010512350(OC PCB), 09010512348 and 09090003792.

Lagos State has been the epicenter of police harassment, extortion and brutality in the country.

In October last year, Fisayo Soyombo, investigative journalist, through a funded undercover investigation by The ICIR and TheCable, detailed many cases of abuse of police operatives at Pedro Police station, Shomolu, Lagos State.

FG bows to pressure, bans FSARS, Tactical Squads from routine patrols

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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FG bows to pressure, bans FSARS, Tactical Squads from routine patrols

THE Federal Government has finally heeded the public call to ban the dreaded Federal Special Ant-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police, also suspended the Special Tactical Squads (STS) from routine patrols.

With this ban, the Police personnel are to desist from, “carrying out routine patrols, and other low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc. with immediate effect.”

Other special units affected by the directive include Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad including other tactical squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command Levels.

A statement issued by Frank Mba, Police spokesperson on Sunday, also banned the security personnel from embarking on patrols or any other tactical assignments dressed in mufti.

“They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear,” the statement reads in part.

Adamu warned the officials, especially the tactical squads from invading people’s privacy specifically through, “indiscriminate and unauthorised search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.”

“They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.”

The IGP who described FSARS and the tactical team as critical components of the force, however, frowned at the team’s lack of professional conduct and abuse of people’s rights.

He told the X-Squad of the force and its monitoring unit to embark on an immediate nationwide monitoring exercise of the operational activities of tactical teams as well as other security operatives found on the road.

“They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the force

Adamu said the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioner of Police in charge of State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) including Zonal Assistant Inspectors Generals of Police would be held responsible for any misdeeds of officers within their supervision.

Nigerians at the weekend earlier cried out over reported abuse of people’s rights and flagrant shooting of youths by the SARS unit across selected states in the country.

The reported incidents pulled public condemnation of the force while notable Nigerians called for the disbandment of the police unit.

The ICIR in April reported about the indiscriminate arrest and killing by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad when a rising footballer star arrested by the police died while running away from the policemen.

After his death, many other young Nigerians across the country have been killed by the dreaded police squad.

Aside from abuse of human rights, several other allegations have been levelled against the controversial police unit.

For instance, at the weekend, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the country, Festus Keyamo, a cabinet member of the present administration, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Support among others faulted operational strategies of the SARS unit and called for a review.

The Police spokesperson, however, announced the arrest of Inspectors Monday Uchiola, Okechukwu Ogbonna and Sale James of the Police Command for what he described as unprofessional conduct, extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

Donald Trump not your business, SARS still killing Nigerians, Wizkid berates Buhari

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Donald Trump not your business, SARS still killing Nigerians, Wizkid berates Buhari

NOTABLE Nigerian musician, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as @Wizkid on Sunday told President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the calls of Nigerian youths by addressing the brutal killings and forms of injustices allegedly perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian Police.

He decried daily killings of the masses by the SARS Unit and the government’s perceived inaction to check the trend.

“Donald Trump is not your business! Old man,” Balogun asserted. “Police, SARS still killing Nigerian youth on a daily basis. Do something.”

“Nothing concerns you about America, face your country,” the musician with his over 7.2 million followers tweeted in response to Buhari’s earlier tweet on Saturday to sympathise with the United States president and his wife for contracting the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

He threw his weight behind the popular call to scrap the dreaded SARS group.

Beyond the President, the musician also tasked Babajide Sanwoolu, the Lagos State Governor through his verified social media handle to support the popular course against the police unit.

“…please do something, let’s be proud of you too…EndSars!!” he tweeted in response to Sanwoolu’s earlier assurance to take swift action on the matter.

The #EndSARS campaign has become an issue of national interest since the police unit allegedly arrested and shot some individuals over the weekend.

Nigerians have reacted differently to the development with prominent personalities calling for a scrap of the police team.

However, the presidency has remained silent despite the popular agitations.

The ICIR earlier contacted Garba Shehu, an official spokesperson to the President to seek his comment on the incident but he did not respond to a text message sent to his line.

“SARS arrested my brother sometimes ago, drove his car to a welder and scrapped off every identifiable chassis number on the vehicle and tagged it ‘stolen’, Chidinma @The_chidinma tweeted while sharing her experience.

“If you think those people are not despicable, you might just be the despicable one.”

Meanwhile, David Adeleke, another famous musician sought public supports against the reported abuses.

“If we all come together as brothers and sisters and also as citizens of this country, we can end this nonsense,” he tweeted via his @Davido social media account.

This is coming after Segun Awosanya mostly called @segalink called for the resignation of Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police over reported attacks by the SARS unit.

He threatened a massive protest if the authorities fail to take drastic action in a week.

“The entire country will shut down soon in a week if no action is taken by the President on the nationally organised crime syndicate the Police have become. We need the resignation of the IGP effective immediately and the full implementation of the new Police Act 2020,” Awosanya tweeted.

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