Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: National

  • ICC Opens Inquiry into Nigeria #EndSARS Protests

    ICC Opens Inquiry into Nigeria #EndSARS Protests

    International Criminal Court (ICC) has told BBC that it would “analyse materials” it has received about the violence which hit Nigeria last month following protests against police brutality.

    ICC chief prosecutor’s office said contrary to an earlier report, it has not already opened a “formal preliminary examination” into the unrest.

    ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda & Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, Monday, October 14, 2019.

    For weeks crowds of peaceful protesters gathered in streets in major cities of Nigeria to demonstrate against police brutality.

    READ ALSO: 

    #EndSARSProtests: Osinbajo’s NEC Embarks on Youth Engagement at Zonal and State Levels

    The protests were held under the #EndSARS banner, a reference to demands for the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad, whose officers were repeatedly accused of criminal activity ranging from extortion to extra-judicial killings.

    It led to a crackdown, with security forces and armed thugs accused of killing protesters.

    Some 51 civilians, 11 police officers and seven soldiers were killed in the unrest, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Rights group, Amnesty International, said security forces opened fire on protesters at Lekki toll gate in the commercial hub of Lagos, killing 10 people there.

    READ ALSO: 

    #EndSARS Violence Won’t Discourage Officers from Performing Constitutional Duties – IGP

    The military and police rejected Amnesty’s allegation.

    Some civil rights have been pushing for the ICC to investigate the violence.

    Idowu Sowunmi

    © BBC

  • #EndSARSProtests: Osinbajo’s NEC Embarks on Youth Engagement at Zonal and State Levels

    #EndSARSProtests: Osinbajo’s NEC Embarks on Youth Engagement at Zonal and State Levels

    In furtherance of the resolution of an emergency meeting of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led National Economic Council (NEC) last week, the Ad-Hoc Committee set up to engage with youths, civil society organisations, and different strands of leadership across the nation in the wake of the recent protests have swung into action.

    At a meeting presided over by Osinbajo on Tuesday, the committee decided to promptly embark on a two-pronged engagement process: zonal and state-based respectively.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo interacting with members of the NEC via teleconference, State House, Abuja.

    For the state-based engagements, each of the 36 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister would meet with the leadership and representatives of the identified groups.

    READ ALSO:

    #EndSARS Violence Won’t Discourage Officers from Performing Constitutional Duties – IGP

    This would then be immediately followed by zonal interactions where Osinbajo and members of the committee would feature.

    The engagements would not only include youth groups but also traditional, religious and political leaders. Civil society groups would also be involved as well as opinion moulders like the media.

    The interactions would feature issues around employment, social safety nets and national unity and security of lives and properties, among others.

    Tuesday’s meeting, which was attended virtually by all governors representing each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, also formally adopted some terms of reference.

    These include: “To engage representatives of youths, cvil society organisations and others, political, religious and traditional leaders on employment and social safety net programmes among other issues;

    “To engage with the security agencies and develop ways of delivering more control to governors who are the Chief Security Officers of their states;

    “To recommend effective solutions to the rising divisiveness and propose ways of strengthening national unity;

    “To develop a framework for the coordination of action steps to be taken by both the federal and state governments in response to the fundamental issues underlying the #EndSARS protests.

    READ ALSO:

    WHO Director-General, Ghebreyesus, Hasn’t Tested Positive for COVID-19

    “To co-opt and or invite any individual or corporate body that may facilitate the work of the committee; and

    “Report to council with such recommendations as may be considered appropriate.”

    It would be recalled that last Thursday after more than four hours of deliberations at NEC emergency meeting, it was resolved that the deeper reasons behind the #EndSARS protests and its fallout should be addressed by both the federal and state governments.

    Members of NEC Adhoc Committee on Public Engagements all of whom attended today’s meeting are: Osinbajo – Chairman; Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State representing North-west; Babagana Zulum of Borno State representing North-east; Abubakar Bello of Niger State representing North-central; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State representing South-west; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State representing South-east; and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State representing South-south.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • WAEC Releases SSCE Results Today

    WAEC Releases SSCE Results Today

    West African Examination Council (WAEC) has said the results for the 2020 Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) would be released today, Monday, November 2, 2020.

    The announcement was by WAEC via its Twitter handle on Sunday.

    READ ALSO: Wait! Before You Click Submit, See Review Tips Before Tues. Chevening Scholarship Deadline

    “This is to inform candidates that sat West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, 2020, that the results of that exam will be released by @waecnigeria tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2020 by 10:30am,” the tweet stated.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • How President Buhari Intends to Move Forward with #EndSARS Demands

    How President Buhari Intends to Move Forward with #EndSARS Demands

    Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night again indicates his readiness to move forward with the demands of the Nigerian youth through the EndSARS protest by appealing to come to the negotiation table and not be afraid.

    The President made the appeal in his remarks at the maiden National Youth Day celebration, observed on November 1, which coincides with the African Youth Day celebration in Abuja.

    At the event with the theme: ”Invest in the Youth, Secure Our Future”, where winners of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development 60-day App Challenge and Youth Innovators were recognised and received cash rewards, the President assured that his administration will not attempt to stop or suppress their voices, President Buhari further appealed to Nigerian youths to end street protests and participate in meaningful discussions with government aimed at comprehensive reforms to end all forms of police brutality against Nigerians.

    READ ALSO:

    Youths Under 40 Years will Govern Edo State Along with Obaseki

    In the same vain, President Buhari has also condemned wrongful use and imposition of violent force against any innocent, law-abiding persons, particularly young people, a stigma that compelled Nigerian youths to recently take to the streets in protest against police brutality in the country. The agitation le to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a unit in the Nigerian Police Force.

    President Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Muhammad Bello, reiterated that the pleas of Nigerian youths have been heard by his administration and advised them not to be afraid to come out to dialogue with the government on the best way to reform the police.

    He said that the Federal Government ‘‘now wants to hear concrete and practical ideas,’’ from the youths, while acknowledging their constitutional right to peaceful protests.

    ”You must realize that protests cannot last indefinitely. My government will not lift a hand to stop or suppress you.

    ”However, the fact of the matter is that other forces and actors will seek to take over your protests that they may redirect them in ways you did not intend and perhaps do not agree with.

    ”Every successful protest movement the world over has understood that there comes a time when activity must move from the street to the negotiation table. That time for you has come. Do not be afraid of this reality. You should welcome it.

    ”It is important that we all strive to use this moment constructively. Too many people have already sacrificed too dearly. It is our duty to use this fateful situation to move ourselves to a more just and caring society.

    ”As youth, you have a nation and a future to build. My government will always be your faithful partner in this essential and patriotic endeavours.”

    He said, ”No one who is obeying the law, whether they are in line waiting for a taxi or in a peaceful protest line, should be harassed or brutalized by law enforcement agencies.

    ”It is because of my abiding belief in the people’s constitutional rights that we moved with dispatch to abolish SARS and to consider other reforms that will enhance the quality of law enforcement and improve the relationship between the police and public which is a pre-requisite in a just society.

    ”To allow protests is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength and belief in democracy, and faith in the innate goodness of our people.

    ”This also shows confidence in the ability of our government to work with the people toward a reasonable and practical resolution to any challenge,” he said.

    The president highlighted that in order to empower youths across the nation, whom he described as agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development, his administration has established no fewer than 25 initiatives.

    He noted that these noble initiatives, ongoing in the last five years, were aimed at placing Nigerian youths on the path of career development, entrepreneurship, skills development and direct employment.

    ”Today we will unveil the official logo of the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund for the period of 2020 – 2023.

    ”This novel fund is dedicated to investing in the innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian Youths and to provide our youths with a special window to access much needed financing, business management skills and other inputs critical for sustainable enterprise,” he said.

    The President announced that over one million applications have already been received since the Youth Investment Fund Portal went live on 12th of October 2020.

    He listed other youth-based initiatives, consistent with his administration’s policy of positioning youths for strategic leadership in different fields of endeavour, as follows:

    ”The birth of the Nigerian Youth Policy in 2019, the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund in July 2020, Young Farmers Initiative, Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship, Employability and Leadership/Mentoring (DEEL) programme, which recently received an approval of N4 billion naira for implementation, and the Not Too Young to Run Act.”

    READ ALSO:

    Your Claims on Police Shooting at #EndSARS Protesters Untrue, IGP Tells Amnesty International

     

    Other initiatives, according to the President, include the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) , the N-Power, SI and Disaster Management, the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Programme , Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and the Youth Enterprise with Innovation In Nigeria (YouWIN).

    The President also added the $20 million Technology Fund for Young Innovators as some of the major initiatives empowering youths across the country.

    Restating his call for national unity, President Buhari said Nigerian youths are better positioned to drive the indivisibility of Nigeria and collectively overcome whatever challenges bedevilling the nation.

    He said, ”On this special occasion, we affirm our faith and confidence in the indivisible entity called Nigeria and in its future.

    ”We face many challenges but, in you, this nation has the collective ability and drive to overcome that which confronts us”, President Buhari affirmed.

  • Your Claims on Police Shooting at #EndSARS Protesters Untrue, IGP Tells Amnesty International

    Your Claims on Police Shooting at #EndSARS Protesters Untrue, IGP Tells Amnesty International

    Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has dismissed report by Amnesty International, accusing the police personnel of shoting at peaceful protesters.

    While affirming that officers of the Nigeria Police Force acted professionally, Adamu said his men exercised commendable restraints and some paid the supreme price for peace during the recent protests and ensuing violence in some parts of the country.

    Reacting to the report by Amnesty International dated October 21 that police personnel shot at peaceful protesters, the police chief described the Amnesty International report as untrue, misleading and contrary to all available empirical evidences.

    He noted that during the protests, police officers “used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner and in most cases, physically protected and walked side-by-side with the protesters.”

    He reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers still maintained utmost restraint and did not use excessive force in managing the situations.

    “Available Reports show that twenty-two (22) police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores injured during the protests. Many of the injured personnel are in life threatening conditions at the hospitals.

    “Two hundred and five (205) police stations and formations including other critical private and public infrastructure were also damaged by a section of the protesters.

    “Despite these unprovoked attacks, our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as alleged in the report. It also beggars imagination that Amnesty International failed to mention or pay tribute to Police officers who were gruesomely murdered during the protests while serving their fatherland.

    “The Force decries the discriminatory tendencies exhibited by Amnesty International as seen in the report. One wonders if in the estimation of Amnesty International, police officers are not also human beings equally entitled to the protection of their fundamental rights to life and dignity of human person,” said Adamu, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.

    The Inspector General of Police, while noting that NPF is committed to the Federal Government’s ongoing holistic reforms of the Force targeted at improving service delivery, positive police-citizen relationship and respect for human rights, enjoined Amnesty International to ensure they subject their reports to adequate scrutiny and proper verification of facts before making the reports public.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • In a Daring Operation in Northern Nigeria, US Special Forces Rescue American Hostage

    In a Daring Operation in Northern Nigeria, US Special Forces Rescue American Hostage

    Idowu Sowunmi with agency reports

    An American citizen abducted last week in Niger has been rescued during a high-risk U.S. military raid in neighbouring Nigeria, officials told ABC News early Saturday.

    The mission was undertaken by elite commandos as part of a major effort to free the U.S. citizen, Philip Walton, 27, before his abductors could get far after taking him captive in Niger on Oct. 26, counter-terrorism officials told ABC News.

    The operation involved the governments of the U.S., Niger and Nigeria working together to rescue Walton quickly, sources said. The CIA provided intelligence leading to Walton’s whereabouts and Marine Special Operations elements in Africa helped locate him, a former U.S. official said.

    READ ALSO:

    Lekki Shooting: Survivors Tell their Story

    Then the elite SEAL Team Six carried out a “precision” hostage rescue mission and killed all but one of the seven captors, according to officials with direct knowledge about the operation.

    “They were all dead before they knew what happened,” another counter-terrorism source with knowledge told ABC News.

    President Donald Trump called the rescue mission a “big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces” in a tweet and the Pentagon lauded the rescue mission in a statement.

    “U.S. forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men,” said Pentagon chief spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman.

    “This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation.

    “We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation.”

    And Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence professionals, and our diplomatic efforts, the hostage will be reunited with his family. We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”

    ABC News consultant Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and retired CIA officer, said preparations for Walton’s rescue likely started when he was abducted.

    “These types of operations are some of the most difficult to execute,” he said. “Any mistake could easily lead to the death of the hostage. The men and women of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command), and the CIA should be proud of what they did here. And all Americans should be proud of them.”

    Eric Oehlerich, an ABC News consultant and retired Navy SEAL, said Walton was “lucky” that such a mission was possible such as short time after he was abducted, when others have been held for years.

    “Men in these top-tier special forces units train their entire adult lives to be ready when called upon, hostage rescue operations are inherently dangerous,” he said. “Those men put someone else’s life above their own, they do so selflessly….it’s an illustration of utter commitment.”

    A former U.S. counter-terrorism official emphasized generally how long the odds are for rescue in the “highly dangerous” missions — less than 30%. But the official said that it’s crucial to act as quickly as possible so that hostages don’t wind up in the hands of al Qaeda or ISIS.

    “The longer a hostage is held the harder it is to find an exact location to be able and conduct a rescue operation,” the official said.

    U.S. and Nigerien officials had said that Walton was kidnapped from his backyard last Monday after assailants asked him for money. But he only offered $40 USD and was then taken away by force, according to sources in Niger.
    Walton lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria.

    READ ALSO:

    President Buhari Welcomes International Partnerships to Spur Development

    Nigerien and American officials told ABC News that they believed the captors were from an armed group from Nigeria and that it was not considered terror-related. But hostages are often sold to terrorist groups.

    Concern grew quickly after the kidnapping that an opportunity to rescue Walton could become much more dangerous if he was taken by or sold to a group of Islamist militants aligned with either al Qaeda or ISIS and American special operations commanders felt they needed to act swiftly before that could occur, said one counter-terrorism official briefed on the hostage recovery operations.

    A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed after the kidnapping that an American citizen had been abducted in Niger and said the U.S. government was “providing their family all possible consular assistance.” The spokesperson declined to comment on the case, citing “privacy considerations,” but added, “When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.”

    Another American, Christian humanitarian aid worker Jeffery Rey Woodke, 60, has been held hostage for the past four years since being kidnapped in northern Niger by armed militants.

    READ ALSO:

    Lagos Lifts #EndSARS-imposed Curfew, Directs Public Servants to Resume Nov 2

    Niger, home to 22 million people and three times the size of California, is one of many Sahel nations plagued by terrorism and instability, but its military has been a close U.S. partner in the fight against regional jihadist groups, including affiliates of both al Qaeda and ISIS.

    Last week, a U.N.-backed donor summit raised $1.7 billion to support the region’s governments as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the humanitarian crisis is at a “breaking point,” with 13.4 million people in need of assistance.

    © ABC News

  • Okonjo-Iweala: President Buhari In Video Conference With President Of European Council

    Okonjo-Iweala: President Buhari In Video Conference With President Of European Council

    President Muhammadu Buhari Friday held a video conference with Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council, during which the latter reiterated Europe’s support for Nigeria’s Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    The President is leading Nigeria’s charge for Okonjo-Iweala, the country’s former Minister of Finance, to emerge as the first Black and female WTO DG.

    READ ALSO:

    President Buhari Welcomes International Partnerships to Spur Development

    President Buhari thanked the European Council for its support for Nigeria’s candidate.

    Also discussed during the conference were issues bordering on debt relief for Africa, EU-African relations and recharge of the Lake Chad, which has currently shrunk to less than one-third of its usual size, and throwing about 130 million people who depend on the Lake into dire straits.

    READ ALSO:

    #EndSARS: Again, Lagos Further Relaxes Curfew from 10pm to 6am

    Recharge of the Lake Chad is an issue the Nigerian President had vigorously canvassed at diverse global fora in recent time.

    President Buhari expressed appreciation to Mr Michel for expected positive developments on the issues.

  • President Buhari Welcomes International Partnerships to Spur Development

    President Buhari Welcomes International Partnerships to Spur Development

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja expressed the commitment of the government of Nigeria to work with an international think-tank group and investment promoter, Horasis Global Visions Community, to find solutions to challenges facing the country, its government and corporate entities.

    Speaking at a virtual meeting with the members of the Visions Community led by its founder and chairman, Dr Frank-Jürgen Richter, cross-sectional representatives of State Governors and corporate organizations in Nigeria, President Buhari said: ”I am excited about the work that Horasis has been engaged in since it was founded in 2005.

    President Buhari receives in Virtual audience Horasis Global Visions Community led by its Chairman Dr. Frank-Jurgen Richer in State House on 30th Oct 2020

    ”As a platform for frank discussions and generation of multidisciplinary ideas for the resolution of multi-faceted challenges facing mankind, the work of governments and corporate organisations are expected to be impacted more positively,” he said.

    READ ALSO:

    Lekki Shooting: Survivors Tell their Story

    President Buhari accepted the request of the global think tank to create its African hub in Nigeria, commending their vision for an expanded manufacturing through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to make the country a major beneficiary of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (ACTFA) coming into effect next year.

    ”It is my hope that many corporate organizations in Nigeria will be drawn into the mainstream discussion around several challenges facing Nigeria and indeed the rest of Africa,” the President said.

    President Buhari expressed the commitment of the government of Nigeria to the proposed annual Africa Summits of the organization, with Nigeria hosting, in the strong belief that Nigeria will fully benefit from the meetings.

    The Chairman of the group, Frank-Jürgen Richter, commended Nigeria’s economic growth in the last few years and gave strong assurances that the Africa Summits with Nigeria as the hub will bring the benefits of increased FDI.

    READ ALSO:

    Lagos Police Command Arrests Fleeing Sergeant Aiwansone for Shooting Girlfriend

    Other speakers at the meeting, including the Chairman of the Horasis Visions Community in Nigeria and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Shamsudeen Usman, the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Engineer Mansur Ahmed, expressed excitement about the good prospects of increased manufacturing through FDI to give a competitive advantage to Nigeria in view of the ACFTA.

  • #EndSARS: You Invited Soldiers after Imposing 24-hour Curfew, Nigerian Army Counters Sanwo-Olu

    #EndSARS: You Invited Soldiers after Imposing 24-hour Curfew, Nigerian Army Counters Sanwo-Olu

    Nigerian Army has berated Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his team for not saying the truth about the invasion of Lekki Toll Gate by soldiers on October 20 to disperse #EndSARS protesters.

    The Army, in a statement by its Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, Headquarters 81 Division, Osoba Olaniyi, said the decision to call in the military was taken by the Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government after a 24-hour curfew was imposed.

    “From the onset of the #EndSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army Lagos were involved. However, the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government (LASG) after a 24-hour curfew was imposed.

    “This was as a result of the violence which led to several police stations being burnt, policemen killed, suspects in police custody released and weapons carted away.

    “The situation was fast degenerating into anarchy. It was at this point that LASG requested for the military to intervene in order to restore normalcy.

    “The intervention of the military followed all laid down procedures for Internal Security operations and all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Internal Security Operations,” the statement explained.

    On the allegation of massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, the statement said: “The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilians’ protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki Toll Plaza.

    “This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country. At no time did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian.”

    The Army reiterated that in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, it did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.

    “This allegation is the hand work of mischief makers who will stop at nothing to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army.

    “The general public is hereby enjoined to discountenance this allegation as there is no iota of truth therein,” the statement said.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • FEC Approves N2.9bn For Printing SSCE, Basic Education Exam Material

    FEC Approves N2.9bn For Printing SSCE, Basic Education Exam Material

    The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N2.9 billion for the printing of materials for the upcoming Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), common entrance and basic education exams.

    The approval was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu, during a briefing with State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

    READ ALSO:

    Senate Reveals: Power Minister Abuses Office, Sites 20 Projects in His LGA

    The Minister revealed that that the production of the materials will be contracted to eight printing companies.

    Also approved by the FEC was a N900 million fund for the rehabilitation of roads in Gwagwalada township and N719 million for the upgrade of roads in Kwali Area Council.

    READ ALSO: Okonjo-Iweala Set To Lead World Trade Organisation

    Adamu confirmed that the road projects are expected to be completed within six months.