Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 22nd October 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 22/10/20
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E2%80%93amnesty-international Killing Of #EndSARS Protesters By Nigerian Soldiers Must Be Investigated –Amnesty International
An on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International has confirmed that the Nigerian Army and police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters on Tuesday at two locations in Lagos.
Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement on Wednesday said the killings took place in Lekki and Alausa where thousands were protesting police brutality as part of the #EndSARS movement.
Ojigho said evidence gathered from eyewitnesses, video footage and hospital reports confirmed that between 6:45pm and 9:00pm on Tuesday 20 October, the Nigerian military opened fire on thousands of people who were peacefully calling for good governance and an end to police brutality.
Ojigho said, “Witnesses at the Lekki protest grounds told Amnesty international that soldiers arrived at about 6:45pm local time on Tuesday evening, and opened fire on #EndSARS protesters without warning.
“Eyewitnesses at Alausa protest ground said they were attacked by a team of soldiers and policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Unit at about 8:00 pm, leaving at least two people dead and one critically injured.
“Opening fire on peaceful protesters is a blatant violation of people’s rights to life, dignity, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Soldiers clearly had one intention – to kill without consequences.
“Amnesty Internationaal received reports that shortly before the shootings, CCTV cameras at the Lekki toll gate, where #EndSARS protesters had been camped for two weeks, were removed by government officials and the electricity was cut – a clear attempt to hide evidence. As in previous cases documented by Amnesty International, some of those killed and injured at both grounds were allegedly taken away by the military.
“These shootings clearly amount to extrajudicial executions. There must be an immediate investigation and suspected perpetrators must be held accountable through fair trials.
“Authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families.”
#EndSARS
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Falana-led Coalition Accuses Nigerian Government Of Sponsoring Looting, Mayhem
Femi Falana (SAN)
A leading coalition of labour and civil society groups, the Alliance for the Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, has blamed the looting by thugs going on across the country on the Nigerian Government.
ASCAB in a statement by its Chairman, Femi Falana (SAN), said security agencies should be blamed for the arson and looting and not peaceful protesters.
The group also condemned the killing scores of peaceful protesters in Lagos by Nigerian soldiers.
Femi Falana (SAN)
The statement reads, “ASCAB unequivocally commends the young people who have been protesting peacefully all over Nigeria without engaging in any destructive activity.
“To this extent, ASCAB condemns the heinous killing of peaceful protesters in different parts of Nigeria and demands that the armed soldiers who shot, killed and fatally injured unarmed peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, yesterday, 20th October 2020 should be brought to book without any further delay.
“ASCAB observes that very surprisingly, since yesterday, gangs of hoodlums have been allowed to unleash mayhem on innocent people and set fire on targeted buildings. To our utter dismay, the hoodlums have been allowed to operate without any restraint from security forces. Curiously, the advice of the ASCAB leadership for deployment of adequate security personnel to dislodge the hoodlums was ignored.
“Even the detachment of the Nigerian Army that recklessly attacked unarmed protesters yesterday have not routed out the hoodlums in spite of the so-called operation Crocodile Smile VI. It therefore appears that the hoodlums are state sponsored.
“We have confirmed that through the personal efforts of the Justices of the Court of Appeal, the hoodlums who had looted the Lagos High Court were caught and arrested while ransacking the Court of Appeal this afternoon. Other authorities are called upon to be vigilant in view of the unwarranted tension which has enveloped the nation.
“ASCAB is compelled to call on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the hoodlums are dispersed with teargas canisters, rubber bullets and water cannons which are the conventional practices of controlling social actions in appropriate cases in all democratic societies. All persons who commit arson and wilful destruction of properties should not be killed but arrested and prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Lagos State.
“It is the primary responsibility of Lagos State Government to guarantee law and order in Lagos State, including the sacredness and inviolability of life and protection of public and private buildings.”
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Again, Bandits Kill 20 Persons In Zamfara
At least 20 persons have been killed by armed bandits, who raided Tungar Kwana Village of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Tuesday night.
Residents of the village said the armed men numbering over 200 invaded the community around 11pm and began to shoot people indiscriminately.
Many houses were also burnt during the attack that lasted for several hours.
“We recovered about 20 bodies after the attack and many more residents have not been accounted for.
“They came around 11pm and opened fire on the village, shooting anyone on sight and burning houses.
“They took away many cows, sheep, and goats as well as foodstuffs,” a source told SaharaReporters.
The state’s police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the incident.
He said the bandits attacked the community because the villagers gave useful information to security agents, which led to the killing of several bandits last week.
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Ondo PDP Secretariat Set On Fire By Thugs
The secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has been set ablaze, SaharaReporters can confirm.
The secretariat located along Alagbaka area was razed on Wednesday evening by armed thugs, who also set some vehicles parked inside the secretariat on fire before attacking security men stationed at the premises.
This came shortly after an angry mob also attacked the secretariat of the governing All Progressives Congress in Akure, the state capital.
Kenny Peretie, spokesperson for the PDP in Ondo, confirmed the attack in a statement.
He said, “The hoodlums came in large numbers and set all the properties in the office on fire including the coaster bus and vehicles parked within the premises.”
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Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Justice For #ENDSARS Protesters Killed Security Operatives, Thugs
#ENDSARS Demonstrators gather in Lagos
Nigerian lawmakers have called on the government to ensure justice was given to people killed during the peaceful #ENDSARS protest that took place across the country.
About 63 lawmakers in a joint statement condemned the use of force against Nigerian youth especially the police and army against just to dislodge them.
The lawmakers stated that while some leaders of the protesters must be publicly invited to an urgent dialogue, security operatives, who opened fire on protesters must be identified and prosecuted.
#ENDSARS Demonstrators gather in Lagos
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The statement reads, “We are appalled by the reliance on force, intimidation and manipulation by government and security agencies in an attempt to break the protest rather than utilising globally recognised methods of policing in a democratic society.
“We are enraged by reports of shooting of unarmed, defenceless protesters by military officers at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos after the lights were turned off and CCTV cameras put off.
“We call on the President to give an immediate order to all security agencies to stop shooting at protesters.
“We condemn this action by government and security agencies. This is inexcusable and totally unacceptable. There is no justification whatsoever for security officials who are paid with taxpayers’ money to kill unarmed protesters.”
They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation and take concrete actions to respond to the demands of the protesters.
The lawmakers also said the President must commit in words and action to respect and protect the right to protest.
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LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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International Press Centre Condemns Attack On Media Stations, Journalists In Nigeria By Thugs
The International Press Centre, Lagos, has condemned the arson attack on media outlets in Lagos by thugs.
The IPC also decried the attack on journalists and media practitioners reporting the ongoing crisis in the country.
SaharaReporters had reported that some thugs had set ablaze Television Continental and The Nation Newspaper believed to be owned by a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu.
The thugs also attacked Channels Television, a private broadcast station with headquarters in Ogun State.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, in a statement by Program Officer/Safety Desk Officer, Melody Lawal, berated the targeting of media institutions and harassment of journalists, insisting that the situation was not acceptable:
Arogundade said, “The media and journalists have the legitimacy to report the current crisis across the country with a view to bringing a truthful account to the citizens and under no circumstances should they be subjected to hardship in the course of doing that.
“We therefore condemn in totality the various attacks so far recorded and demand that they should stop.”
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#EndSARS
LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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According to Arogundade, the security agents should instead of firing live bullets at peaceful protesters confront those engaging in arson with a view to bringing them to justice.
He enjoined the security operatives to take necessary actions to ensure a safe environment for journalists and other media professionals to carry out their duties unhindered while enforcing the curfew imposed in Lagos and some other states.
Arogundade charged journalists covering and reporting the #EndSARS protests and the fallout to stick to the principles of good and conflict sensitive journalism that require balance, shunning of bias, avoidance of hate speech, discipline of verification, fact checking, use of reliable sources, giving voice to victims and the affected, and thorough investigation of claims and counter-claims.
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Commonwealth Condemns Killing Of Nigerians During Protests, Asks Buhari To Punish Killers
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland.
The Commonwealth has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the Nigerian Army officers involved in the killing of peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos, and other parts of the country to book.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, said she is in close talks with the Nigerian Government over the use of violence.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland.
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LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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She said, “The Commonwealth strongly condemns the escalation of violence resulting in deaths in Lekki district in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
“The right to peaceful demonstrations and freedom of assembly are constitutionally protected rights and should be respected by all at all times.
“The perpetrators of these cowardly acts must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“We note that an investigation has been ordered into these egregious human rights violations. Any investigation should be prompt and impartial, and the findings made public.
“We encourage a lasting solution that places the interests of all Nigerians above all other considerations.
“I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and all those who have suffered during this difficult time. We stand ready to offer any assistance towards a prompt and peaceful resolution. The whole Commonwealth family stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria.”
#EndSARS
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E2%80%99s-president-akufo-addo-calls-calm-after-violence-erupts-parts-nigeria Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo, Calls For Calm After Violence Erupts In Parts Of Nigeria
Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, on Wednesday called for calm following the outbreak of violence in parts of Nigeria.
The violence was triggered by the killing of over 10 peaceful protesters in Lagos by soldiers on Tuesday night.
The demonstrators were demanding an end to police brutality and state repression when the lives of many of them were cut short by bullets from the guns of Nigerian Army personnel.
Reacting to the issue on Wednesday, Akufo-Addo, who revealed that he had a conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari over the matter, said, “I join all well-meaning persons in calling for calm and the use of dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria.
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end and has begun the processes that will lead to reform.
“Violence, be it on the part of the Police or protesters, cannot be the solution. To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
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LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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Nigerian Journalists Must Be Protected While Reporting Protests, CPJ Says
The Committee to Protect Journalists has asked the Nigerian Government to protect journalists in the country covering protests against police brutality.
Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, in a statement said, “Journalists in Nigeria must be permitted to freely report on demonstrations without the threat of violence or intimidation.
“Journalists in Nigeria are too often attacked simply for working to keep the Nigerian public and the world informed about what is happening in their country.
“Journalists’ safety is part of what it means to have freedom of the press, and is critical for Nigerian democracy.”
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#EndSARS
LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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Canada Condemns Killing Of Peaceful Protesters By Nigerian Army
The Canadian Government has joined the rest of the world to condemn the shooting and killing of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters in Lagos by the Nigerian Army.
Over 10 persons were killed on Tuesday night after soldiers violently dispersed young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos.
The Canadian Government urged the Nigerian Government to hold accountable those responsible for the use of force and shooting of protesters.
“Canada is deeply concerned about the excessive use of force during the ongoing protests in #Nigeria. Those responsible for #HumanRights violations and abuse must be held accountable,” the Foreign Policy office said. Canada is deeply concerned about the excessive use of force during the ongoing protests in #Nigeria. Those responsible for #HumanRights violations and abuse must be held accountable.— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) October 21, 2020
The United Nations, United States, United Kingdom and other countries have condemned the use of excessive force by Nigerian security forces on peaceful protesters and called on the Nigerian Government to bring the situation under control.
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#EndSARS
LIVE: Nigerian Military Open Fire On Peaceful #EndSARS At Lekki Toll Gate
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#EndSARS
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