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Tag: Hoodlums Attack

  • #EndSARS Protest Becomes Bloody in Edo as Obaseki Imposes 24-hour Curfew

    #EndSARS Protest Becomes Bloody in Edo as Obaseki Imposes 24-hour Curfew

    The ongoing #EndSARS movement has assumed a violent dimension in Edo State as people posing as protesters attacked facilities of Nigeria Police Force.

    The protesters were accused of security facilities at Ugbekun Police Station, Oba Market Police Station and Idogbo Police Post in Benin, Edo State capital.

    Describing the incident as unfortunate, Nigeria Police Force explained that the extent of damage could not be ascertained at the moment.

    It, however, said report indicated that “the protesters carted away arms and ammunition from the armoury and freed the suspects in custody before setting some of the facilities ablaze.”

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    #EndSARS : Police Fire Teargas At Protesters In Abuja

    The bloody situation has led to an imposition of a 24-hour in the state by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

    By this government’s directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who couldn’t move safely were asked to stay put till 4pm when calmness was eventually restored.

    “Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.

    “The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, October 19, 2020.

    “This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protesters.

    “While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.

    “By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.

    “Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

    “The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law,” Obaseki said, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

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    #EndSARS Protests: Lagos Government Shuts Schools

    Also reacting to the ugly development in Edo State, Nigeria Police Force said it has swung into action, “doing everything possible at the moment to bring the situation under control, protect lives of innocent citizens and prevent further attacks on any other critical infrastructure in the state.”

    The police called on parents/guardians to prevail on their children/wards to desist from acts of violence under any guise whatsoever.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos Government Dissociates Self from Hoodlums who Attacked Protesters

    Lagos Government Dissociates Self from Hoodlums who Attacked Protesters

    The Lagos State Goverent has dissociated itself from hoodlums who attacked #EndSARS protesters at the Alausa area of Ikeja ìn Lagos State on Thursday morning.

    In a statement, sighted by Echotitbits, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led State government it will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk adding that it is strongly committed to ensuring that youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government-sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked.

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    “Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.

    “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been preaching peace. So has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The Governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly” the statement read.

    Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday visited the President to tender a five-point demand of protesters in Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu, at the meeting with the President stated that he had also ensured that all protesters arrested by the police in Lagos were released unconditionally.

    Further in the statement dismissing any participation in the hoodlums attack on protesters, the state government accused the enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, as those fueling the “infernal lies” that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack youths who are engaging in a peaceful protest.

    “They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters.

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    “The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.

    “This should be a sober time for us all as we struggle to reverse the negative effects of COVID-19 on our economic and social lives, even as the experts are warning that a second wave is likely if we shun the safety guidelines we have all agreed to embrace.

    “The government seeks the co-operation of all in ensuring that the crisis is put behind us as soon as possible”, Lagos State government said.