22102020 - #EndSARS: Fire, fury in Lagos, Imo, Abia, Rivers, others

Killing of UK High UN, Biden, Clinton, 

7 

#EndSARS Commission Archbishop of 

protesters must shuts visa Canterbury tell Buhari 

14 be investigated centres in to stop killing of 

— Amnesty Int’l 22 Nigeria 7 

#EndSARS protesters 

#EndSARS: Stocks nosedive, investors lose N113.1bn 

19 

Beyond 

#EndSARS: End 

the systemic 

inhumanity of the 

Nigerian state 

VOL. 27: NO. 64189 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 

#EndSARS: Fire, fury in Lagos, 

Imo, Abia, Rivers, others 

5 

•Tension, bonfires, attempted arson rock Abakaliki as Umahi declares curfew in Ebonyi •Security operatives gun 

down three persons in Rivers •Police stations burnt in Imo •2 feared dead as protest turns violent in Enugu 

•Policeman killed, another injured in Lagos police stations’ attacks •Three banks, council set ablaze•Protesters 

raze BRT buses Terminus at Oyingbo terminus of Lagos , NPA, TVC, LCC, others •Staff of office seized as ‘protesters’ 

take over Oba of Lagos palace •Aba town hall set on fire •Ondo PDP Secretariat, SARS office razed by hoodlums 

•NBA condemns killing of protesters, vows to sue Nigerian military •Soldiers have replaced SARS, says Soyinka, 

condemns attack on protesters •Obasanjo cautions Buhari against use of force 

KADUNA#EndSARS PROTEST... 

Fish out 

killers of 

#EndSARS 

protesters 

at Lekki, 

Sultan, 

CAN 

charge 

Buhari 7 

Mr & Mrs 

EndSARS peaceful protest at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Roundabout , Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi. 

EU, Sweden condemn 

Black Tuesday: Those responsible 

killing of protesters 7 must pay for this genocide 7 

COLUMNIST 14 — 17CLARK, ADEBANJO, NWODO, BITRUS 

AMAECHI

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020—3

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

Head offices of The Nation newspaper, on Fatai Atere Way in Lagos, set ablaze yesterday. 

#EndSARS: Fire, fury in Lagos, 

Imo, Abia, Rivers, others 

By Dayo Johnson, Regional Editor, South- 

West, Evelyn Usman, Olasunkanmi Akoni, 

Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Peter Okutu, Dennis 

Agbo, Chinonso Alozie, Eric Ugbor, 

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Davies Iheamnachor & 

James Ogunnaike 

LAGOS — Killings 

and arson by 

protesters who 

defied the 24-hour curfew 

imposed by many state 

governments continued 

yesterday, with some of the 

#EndSARS protesters still 

very angry about the killing 

of their colleagues at Lekki 

Toll gate on Tuesday. 

The protesters went on 

rampage, setting on fire the 

headquarters of Television 

Continental, TVC, Lagos 

Concession Company, 

LCC, at Lekki, Lagos BRT 

Terminus at Oyingbo, 

corporate head office of 

Nigerian Pots Authority, 

NPA, and palace of the Oba 

of Lagos, HRH Rilwan 

Akiolu II, among others. 

Violence also swept 

through the South-East 

and parts of the South- 

South yesterday, as 

protesters defied the curfew 

in such states as Imo, 

Ondo, and Abia, killing 

and destroying properties. 

It also forced Enugu and 

Ebonyi state governments 

to impose 24-hour curfew. 

Although there is no curfew 

in Rivers, two policemen 

were killed there. 

These developments 

came yesterday, as Nobel 

Laureate, Professor Wole 

Soyinka, former President 

Olusegun Obasanjo and 

the Nigerian Bar 

Association, NBA, 

condemned in very strong 

terms the killing of 

defenceless protesters at 

the Lekki Toll gate in Lagos. 

Igando police 

station burnt, 

policeman killed 

In Lagos, the hoodlums 

who hijacked the peaceful 

#EndSARS protests 

,attacked and burnt down 

Igando Police station, 

killing a policeman. 

Another policeman, said to 

be the station officer was 

beaten to a pulp and 

abandoned to die. 

Also attacked were 

Makinde and Ajah police 

stations as well as Ejigbo 

Local 

Council 

Development Area. At the 

Igando division, policemen 

were said to have fired into 

the air to disperse the 

relentless hoodlums who 

claimed to be avenging the 

death of some protesters by 

suspected security 

personnel Tuesday night at 

the Lekki toll gate. 

In the process, a bullet hit 

one of the rampaging 

youths, shattering his 

knees. Unconfirmed reports 

however said Police bullets 

killed one of the youths. 

While that was going on, 

the station officer, whose 

identity could not be 

immediately ascertained, 

tried to calm the restive 

youths, only to be attacked 

with planks. 

One of his colleagues 

who exhausted his bullets 

in the process of defending 

himself and others was 

descended on by the 

protesters and beaten to 

death. Other policemen 

fled. 

Consequently, the 

invaders rushed into the 

station and carted away 

electronics and other 

valuables. 

When Vanguard visited 

the station, the irate youths 

blamed their action on the 

death of their colleague by 

the police. 

Makinde police 

station attacked, 

Ejigbo LCDA 

offices set on fire 

At Makinde division, the 

protesters struck, forcing 

the policemen to flee, and 

at Ajah division, the 

policemen put up a fight, 

shooting into the air to 

disperse the youths until 

they exhausted their 

bullets. 

It was learned that calls 

for back-up from other 

divisions yielded no 

response, as the irate 

youths pounced on some of 

the policemen, invaded 

the station and carted away 

their weapons and 

uniforms. 

Three new generation 

banks were also attacked by 

the hoodlums. 

At about 3.30pm, they 

reportedly entered Thomas 

Estate in Ajah, an action 

that sent fears down the 

spines of residents who 

locked themselves in and 

watched through the 

windows.. 

But at the Ejigbo division, 

members of Odua Peoples 

Congress, OPC, manned 

all entrances leading to the 

division to prevent any likely 

invasion. 

But the story was different 

Ejigbo LCDA which the 

hoodlums set on fire. 

Meanwhile, Lagos State 

police command disclosed 

yesterday that it arrested one 

of the suspects who broke into 

one of the new generation 

banks at Lekki on Tuesday. 

Spokesman for the Lagos 

State Command, SP 

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who 

confirmed the arrest, clarified 

that those who carried out the 

invasion of the bank were 

hoodlums, adding that 

some money stolen from the 

bank had been recovered 

from the suspect. 

Continues on Page 21 

By Olayinka Latona 

On shooting, killing of unarmed EndSARS protesters(1) 

It was all a peaceful 

protest before the 

government hijacked it. 

They paid some youths 

against other youths so 

that at the end it will look 

like a war amongst 

protesters. It’s sad and 

heartbreaking even to 

Nigerian citizens in 

diaspora. Violence 

begets Violence, I 

beseech the peaceful 

protesters to make use of 

the online space for now. 

It has been hijacked. 

— Fafiolu Samuel. 

Serial Entrepreneur 

I totally condemn this 

inhumane act of our leaders. 

This is a genocide that will 

forever live in history and we 

demand justice for the heroes 

we have lost. This is the time 

we need to pull all our resources 

together as Nigerians and fight 

as one. They want us to become 

like them(government) but 

violence is not the way. 

I think we should call on all 

the international bodies to judge 

everyone responsible for the 

killing of the ENDSARS 

protesters. 

— Adelayo Adebayo, 

Entrepreneur 

I think the government 

should be more 

concerned after the 

citizen’s right to life before 

any other thing. 

Moreover, it was a 

peaceful protest and the 

government trying to use 

violence to stop the 

protesters is not fair. 

The government should 

rather look into meeting 

the demands of the 

protesters and stop killing 

innocent protesters. 

— Oladosu Olajumoke, 

Mass communicator. 

20/10/2020 is a day we won’t 

forget in history. I can’t even 

wrap my head around the 

happenings as I am still 

traumatised. 

The question I keep asking 

is don’t we have our 

fundamental human right spelt 

out in the constitution? Why will 

soldiers open fire at unarmed 

protesters waving the National 

flag as a sign of peace and 

unity? Apparently this shows 

we are all figure heads in this 

country as our lives doesn’t 

count talk more of our right as a 

citizen. Our nation has failed 

us and we are tired. 

— Popoola Motunrayo, 

Analyst 

In the history of 

Nigeria, I have never 

seen or heard a 

despicable act such as 

this been perpetrated by 

a government that is 

meant to protect the lives 

of it’s citizens. It was time 

for revolution and it is 

happening now 

already.This government 

has failed us and we are 

fed up. 

— Olaide Oyewole. 

Journalist 

The government on all 

levels had the chance to 

stop this carnage. But 

they didn’t know we have 

gone beyond the initial 

fear of dying. 

The message has been 

passed and if what we 

want is not done, we will 

continue to demand good 

governance. 

We didn’t inherit the 

docility of our parents, we 

are a different generation. 

History will remember 

us for good. 

— Raphael Edwards. 

Entrepreneur

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 

:Vanguard 

News 

Ondo monarch condemns 

Lekki killings, destruction of 

properties by protesting 

youths in Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson 

AKURE—DEJI 

of 

Akureland in Ondo 

State, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, 

has decried the wanton 

destruction and burning 

of properties by protesting 

youths across the state. Oba 

Aladelusi also condemned 

the killings of innocent and 

harmless youths at the Lekki 

toll gate, Lagos and other 

parts of the country. 

His Chief Press Secretary, 

Michael Adeyeye in a statement 

in Akure, expressed 

concern over the dastardly 

act of the protesters in Ondo. 

He said, "The attention of 

the Deji and Paramount Ruler 

of Akure Kingdom, Oba 

Aladelusi, Odundun II has 

been drawn to the dangerous 

and chaotic dimension 

of the ongoing #EndSARS 

protest in Akure. 

"Oba Aladetoyinbo believe 

strongly in the right of the 

people to peacefully protest 

and demand for good governance 

as being currently 

canvased. However, His 

Majesty wishes to appeal to 

the youths not to engage in 

wanton destruction of properties 

and burning of properties 

while pressing home 

their demand. 

"On the other hand, Oba 

Ogunlade condemned the 

killings of innocent and 

harmless youths at the Lekki 

toll gate and other parts 

of the country. His Majesty 

commiserate with the families 

of these gallant youths 

who lost their lives in this 

tragic situation while demanding 

for a better life. 

"They remained heroes 

and heroines of the struggle 

for a better Nigeria. Above 

all, His Majesty once again 

appeal to all the youths to 

shun all forms of violence 

and attacks while raising 

their voice for a better life 

and responsive governance. 

The traditional ruler however, 

assured that there is 

surely better days ahead.” 

Wike imposes 24-hr curfew on 

Oyigbo LGA, parts of P/Harcourt 

By Egufe Yafugborhi 

PORT HARCOURT— 

GOVERNOR Nyesom 

Wike of Rivers State, has imposed 

24 hour curfew across 

Oyigbo Local Government 

Area and parts Port Harcourt 

metropolis as #END- 

SARS protest turned violent 

in Rivers state. 

Wike in a state broadcast, 

yesterday, said the decision 

was reached during a State 

Security Council meeting 

held at the Government 

House, Port Harcourt. 

He said, "Earlier today, 

some hoodlums attacked 

and destroyed Police stations 

and court buildings in 

Oyigbo council of the state. 

Another set of hooligans 

were also on rampage at the 

Ikokwu spare parts markets 

disturbing public peace and 

damaging property." He 

said his government cannot 

watch helplessly as troublemakers 

take the laws into 

their hands and use the current 

situation to create a state 

of panic and insecurity. 

"A 24-hour curfew has been 

imposed on Mile 1, Mile 2, 

Emenike, Ikokwu and 

Iloaubuchi areas of Port 

Harcourt from 6.30 p.m., 

October 21, 2020. 

"A 24-hour curfew has been 

imposed on the entire Oyigbo 

councill from 6.30 p.m., 

October 21, 2020, a 24-hour 

curfew has also been imposed 

on Oil mill area in 

Obio/Akpor Local Government 

Area of the state" 

Policemen repel attempts to 

raze Ughelli station 

By Perez Brisibe 

U GHELLI—POLICE 

operatives at the 

Ughelli division 'A' police 

station, Delta State, which 

also plays host to the Ughelli 

Police Area Command, yesterday, 

foiled attempts by 

hoodlums to set the station 

ablaze by suspected hoodlums. 

Trouble started when some 

persons claiming to be commercial 

motorcycle and tricycle 

operators popularly 

known as Okada and Keke 

riders began protesting 

against their daily levies 

paid to the state government, 

describing it as an avenue 

for extortion. 

The protesters, who began 

their protest from the Otovwodo 

junction axis of 

Ughelli, walked on the Isoko 

Road of Ughelli to Post 

Office junction before heading 

to the police station to 

express their displeasure after 

which they were said to 

have proceed to the Ughelli 

North secretariat. 

However, upon arriving at 

the police station, the protesters 

who operated under 

the guise of the #ENDSARS 

protest, began banging on 

the station gate and piling 

condemned tyres in what 

appears to be moves to set 

the police station on fire. 

:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 

Lekki Toll Gate: Accept responsibility, 

PDP tells Presidency 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

ABUJA- The Peoples 

Democratic Party, 

PDP, yesterday, charged the 

President Muhammadu Buhari-led 

government to take 

responsibility for the shooting 

and reported killing of 

peaceful and unarmed 

young protesters allegedly 

by military operatives at 

Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on 

Tuesday night. 

The PDP in a statement by 

its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, 

said the burden of 

responsibility for the tragedy 

lies with President Buhari 

as “Commander-in-Chief of 

the armed forces and the 

buck stops on his table.” 

He said, “Our party is 

shocked at President Buhari 

stance, particularly his inability 

to demonstrate the 

capacity for concerned, attentive 

and proactive governance 

and command structure, 

while the nation he presides 

over dangerously 

slides into anarchy. 

“A well structured governance 

response from Mr 

President, as the father of the 

nation, would have calmed 

frayed nerves and averted 

the crisis, violence, deaths, 

destruction of property and 

the avoidable loses we are 

witnessing today. Our once 

united, viable, resilient and 

cohesive nation handed over 

to President Buhari in 2015 

is fast collapsing in his 

hands. “In countries where 

presidents are alive to the 

demands of their offices, the 

#ENDSARS: NECO shifts 

exams to November 

By Wole Mosadomi 

MINNA—THE Nation 

al Examinations Council, 

NECO, has rescheduled 

papers of the 2020 ongoing 

Senior Secondary Certificate 

Examinations, SSCE, from 

October to November. 

A statement by Head Information/ 

Public Relations of the 

Council, Azeez Sani, explained 

that NECO had been 

constrained by circumstances 

beyond its control, to reschedule 

the papers meant for 

Thursday, October 22; Friday, 

October 23; and Saturday, 

October 24, 2020. 

CHRISTENING—From left: Senior Pastor, Victory Sanctuary, Seventh Day Adventist, Lekki, 

Pastor Bukola Ajide; Dr Adefunke Ebiesuwa, her husband, an ICT Guru, Dr Seun Ebiesuwa 

and Pastor Isreal Ajanaku, during the christening of Henry Ebiesuwa, in Lagos. 

The affected papers, according 

to him, “are now scheduled 

for November 17, 18 and 

19, 2020.“ 

He said the examination 

time table for the affected papers 

would be made available 

subsequently, adding: “These 

changes were due to the security 

challenges which led to 

the imposition of curfew and 

closure of schools by some 

state governments in order to 

safeguard lives and properties. 

“In the circumstances, it has 

become difficult for the Council 

to move examination materials 

across the country." 

country would not be in turmoil 

with citizens being 

murdered in cold blood as 

witnessed in our country in 

the last 48 hours, yet the citizenry 

cannot find their president 

or Prime Minister 

coming out personally to 

offer consolation, provide 

direction and give hope. 

“Moreover, the video 

showing police vans and vehicles 

belonging to other 

security agencies bringing 

in and coordinating armed 

thugs to attack peaceful protesters 

in Abuja points to serious 

complicity in high 

places. 

BENIN CITY – THERE 

was relative calm in 

parts of Benin City and other 

parts of Edo State, yesterday, 

as security agencies 

comprising the police, Department 

of State Security, 

DSS, Nigerian Security and 

Civil Defence Corps and 

members of the armed forces 

to enforce the 24 hours 

curfew imposed by the state 

government. 

At press time, the office of 

the National Drug Law Enforcement 

Agency, NDLEA, 

on Upper Sokponba Road 

is currently on fire and there 

is no presence of security 

operatives in the area. 

The joint task force was 

“The All Progressives Congress, 

APC, and its agents in 

government circles had kept 

mute over reports in the public 

space that they are behind 

the deployment of the 

armed thugs to infiltrate 

peaceful protests and perpetrate 

acts of violence so as 

to discredit the demonstration 

and justify their attacks 

on protesters; a development 

that had led to escalation 

of restiveness in various 

parts of our country. 

“Furthermore, the unexplained 

dismantling of security 

cameras and lights at 

the Lekki Toll gate before 

able to clear some hot spots 

for free movement of vehicular 

and human traffic but 

other less prime areas have 

now become areas prone to 

suspected hoodlums who 

are still extorting motorists. 

Meanwhile, Governor 

Godwin Obaseki of the state, 

while on a visit to the Benin 

and Oko Prisons, where inmates 

were set free by suspected 

hoodlums gave the 

escapees from the Benin 

Medium Security prison 

and Oko Medium Security 

prison till Friday to return 

voluntarily or face the wrath 

of the law. 

Controller of Prisons, Edo 

State Command, Babayo 

Maisanda, during, yesterday, 

assessment tour of the 

facility in Benin, disclosed 

that 1,818 escaped inmates 

were still at large, while 163 

military operatives opened 

fire on peaceful protesters, 

further points to high-level 

conspiracy against Nigerians. 

“Such unleashing of terror 

against peaceful demonstrators 

exposes a dangerous 

recourse to barefaced 

brutality, violence and killing 

to suppress and subjugate 

the Nigerian people. 

“Today, under the APC, our 

streets are stained with the 

blood of our promising 

young ones. Our highways 

have been turned into battlegrounds 

where thugs and 

security operatives mow 

down citizens and destroy 

property with reckless abandon." 

#EndSARS: Security agencies enforce curfew 

in Edo •Obaseki issues ultimatum to escaping prisoners to return 

By Gabriel 

Enogholease and 

Ozioruva Aliu 

have either been recaptured 

or secured and six have returned. 

Obaseki, who went on an 

assessment tour of the affected 

NCoS centres and the 

police stations that were 

burnt in Benin City by the 

hoodlums, lamented that 

the extent of destruction was 

massive, adding that it was 

against the spirit of the genuine 

EndSARS protesters 

that went about their protests 

in a peaceful manner. 

He said: “You will agree 

with me that this is not in 

the spirit of the EndSARS 

protest. This is sheer criminality, 

while the real protesters 

were focusing on the reform 

of our policing system, 

and not to destroy government 

property, the criminals 

were destroying prisons and 

releasing inmates." 

....Protesters resist thugs in Calabar 

By Ike Uchechukwu 

CALABAR—THE #End 

SARS protesters in 

Calabar, Cross River State, 

yesterday, resisted a group 

of thugs reportedly sponsored 

by yet to be identified 

individuals to disrupt the 

peaceful protest. 

The incident, Vanguard 

learned occurred at Effio 

Ette Round About, MCC 

road, Calabar Municipality 

LGA, one of the muster 

points where the Endsars 

protesters usually meet. 

An eyewitness told Vanguard 

that the protesters 

chased the thugs while 

threatening to set two of 

them that were apprehended 

ablaze 

One the eyewitnesses, Anthony 

Umo said, "The thugs 

numbering about 20 were 

given a hot chase when they 

arrived at protest point at 

Effio-Ete Junction while trying 

to unleash mayhem on 

genuine protesters with a 

view to breaching public 

peace, but they were over 

powered by the resilient protesters.” 

When contacted, Cross 

River Commisioner of Police, 

Abdulkadir Jimoh told 

Vanguard his officers and 

men had been highly professional 

in handling the protest 

across the capital city. 

Meanwhile ,following the 

rise in the level violence at 

Endsars protests across the 

country, Governor Ben Ayade 

has warned CrossRiverians 

not to confront security 

agents deployed to keep the 

peace. 

He also assured the people 

that the government 

would not sleep until the 

people's demands were met.


:Vanguard News 


Fish out killers of #EndSARS 

protesters at Lekki, Sultan, 

CAN charge Buhari 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

ABUJA—THE Sultan of 

Sokoto, Alhaji 

Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 

III, and the President, Christian 

Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. 

Samson Ayokunle, yesterday 

asked the military high command 

to fish out perpetrators of the 

killing of defenceless #EndSARS’ 

protesters at the Lekki Toll gate 

in Lagos Tuesday. 

They also noted that the 

problems of human rights abuse 

and extra-judicial killing of 

innocent civilians will persist in 

the country, if the military high 

command continued to deploy 

soldiers to quell protests. 

Represented by the Executive 

Secretary of Nigeria 

Interreligious Council, Fr. Prof. 

Cornelius Omonokhua, the two 

religious leaders at a joint briefing, 

warned that the current wave of 

protests around the country could 

result into anarchy, if not 

addressed with circumspection. 

They said: “We have noticed 

with concern, the current wave 

of protests happening around the 

Lekki shootings: Summon 

Buhari, Buratai, IGP now, 

Situation Room tells NASS 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Nigeria Civil 

Society Situation Room 

yesterday asked the National 

Assembly to summon President 

Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief 

of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur 

Buratai and the Inspector 

General of Police, Mohammed 

Adamu, over the killing of 

peaceful protesters by armed 

security officials. 

Situation Room, which is a 

coalition of over 70 leading 

Civil Society Organizations, 

CSOs, in the country, said it 

was alarmed by the “brutal, 

despicable killing of young and 

peaceful #Endsars protesters” 

at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos. 

In a statement signed by its 

convener, Mr. Clement 

Nwankwo, the CSOs noted 

that the Lekki shootings 

occurred barely 48 hours after 

the Nigerian Armed Forces 

announced 

the 

commencement of what it 

UK High Commission shuts 

Visa centres in Nigeria 

By Perez Brisibe 

THE 

United 

Kingdom High 

Commission in Nigeria said 

yesterday it has shut down its 

centers in the country for the next 

48 hours due to the ongoing 

nationwide protest in the 

country. The closure began 

yesterday. 

It also stated that its TLS 

contact visa application centers 

in Nigeria were currently closed. 

Though like its American 

counterpart, the UK High 

Commission failed to speak up on 

last night attacks on defenseless 

protesters in Lekki, Lagos State, 

the move by the commission is 

coming a few hours after the 

country. If not addressed with 

care, such protests as peaceful 

as they are intended, could be 

manipulated by unscrupulous 

elements in the society, thus 

resulting in the breakdown of 

law and order. 

“In the first place, in a 

democracy, soldiers have no 

business quelling riots. They 

have no business shooting in a 

peaceful protest. The youths 

have not killed anybody. 

“Those who kill and vandalize 

properties are not protesters. 

They are criminals and should 

be arrested and brought to 

justice. For the soldier who shot, 

or the soldiers that did the 

shooting at the Lekki Toll gate, 

the military high command 

should have a way of calling them 

to order, and sanctioning them.” 

Above all, the Sultan of Sokoto 

and the CAN President advised 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

to speak out and condemn the 

ugly situation in the strongest 

terms. 

“So, we call on the government 

to sway into action and bring a 

quick and peaceful resolution to 

the situation on the ground. 

described as ‘Operation 

Crocodile Smile’. 

The CSOs urged the 

National Assembly to summon 

President Buhari, Lt-Gen 

Buratai and the IGP to appear 

in a public and open hearing, 

“to explain the circumstances 

that led to the brutal massacre 

of peaceful protesters in 

Lagos”. 

The statement read: “The 

Nigeria Civil Society Situation 

Room is alarmed by the brutal, 

despicable killing of young and 

peaceful #EndSARS protesters 

by armed security officials at the 

Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos. 

“The killing of peaceful 

protesters by armed security 

officials comes barely 48 hours 

after the Nigerian Armed 

Forces announced the 

commencement of what it 

termed ‘Operation Crocodile 

Smile’ thus opening questions 

about the connection between 

the military operation and this 

eviI premeditated attack on 

innocent, peaceful protesters.'' 

United State government did the 

same for its Lagos Consulate. 

The commission in a brief 

statement on its twitter handle, 

@UKinNigeria, also asked 

applicants with appointments for 

Wednesday and Thursday, to 

reschedule their appointments 

from Monday, October 26th. 

The statement reads: “Due to 

the ongoing protest in Nigeria 

and for the safety of both staff 

and applicants, our Nigeria 

centres will be closed for 48 hours 

at a minimum.'' 

“For applicants with booked 

appointments within this 

period, please you will need 

to reschedule your 

appointment for next week, 

from 26th October 2020.'' 

INAUGURATION: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (4th left) with the Chairman of the State Judicial 

Panel of Inquiry on Police brutality, Hon. Justice Kingsley Ude (Rtd) (4th right), founding Director of Women's 

Aid Collective (WACOL), Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (3rd left); representative of the youth, Charles Ogbu (right) and 

other members of the panel after their inauguration by the governor, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday. 

UN, Biden, Clinton, Archbishop of 

Canterbury tell Buhari to stop killing 

of #EndSARS protesters 

By Victoria Ojeme 

T 

HE United Nations, US 

Democratic Presidential 

candidate, Joe Biden, Archbishop 

of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and 

former U.S. Secretary of State, 

Mrs. Hilary Clinton, yesterday 

called on the federal government 

to stop the killing of protesters 

against police brutality in the 

country. 

They were particularly appalled 

by the killing of defenceless 

#EndSARS protesters by armed 

security personnel at Lekki Toll 

gate in Lagos on Tuesday. 

United Nations Secretary- 

General, António Guterres, and 

his deputy, Amina Mohammed, 

a former Nigerian Minister of the 

Environment, did ot only asked 

the Buhari government to stop 

protesters’ killings but also give 

them protection against 

hoodlums who have since 

hijacked the protest. 

Spokesman of UN Secretary 

General, Stéphane Dujarric, said 

in a statement: “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 

Special Anti-Robbery Squad, 

SARS, and an end to human 

rights violations allegedly 

committed by security agencies. 

“The Secretary-General 

stresses the importance of respect 

for peaceful protests and freedom 

of assembly and calls on the 

security forces to exercise 

maximum restraint in the policing 

of the demonstrations. 

“The Secretary-General 

welcomes the decision by the 

government of Nigeria to disband 

the Special Anti-Robbery Unit 

and undertake broader police 

reforms. He expresses the 

readiness of the United Nations 

to support Nigeria in those 

efforts.’’ 

On her part, the deputy 

Secretary-General, Amina 

Mohammed, said: “The UN & I 

are following the protests in 

#Nigeria calling for an end to 

human rights violations. I join the 

#UNSG in stressing the 

importance of respect for peaceful 

protests and freedom of assembly 

and call on the security forces to 

exercise maximum restraint.” 

Similarly, Joe Biden, US 

presidential candidate of the 

Democratic Party, asked 


to cease the violent crackdown 

on #EndSARS protesters. 

In a statement yesterday, Biden 

asked the federal government to 

engage in dialogue with the civil 

society in order to address 

citizens’ grievances. 

He added that the United 

States must show solidarity with 

Nigerians who were peacefully 

seeking police reform and asking 

for an end to corruption. 

Biden said: “I urge 

President Buhari and the 

military to cease the violent 

crackdown on protesters in 

Nigeria, which has already 

resulted in several deaths. 

“My heart goes out to all 

those who have lost a loved 

one in the violence. The 

United States must stand with 

Nigerians who are peacefully 

demonstrating for police 

reform and seeking an end to 

corruption in their democracy. 

“I encourage the government 

to engage in a good-faith 

dialogue with civil society to 

address these long-standing 

grievances and work together for 

a more just and inclusive 

Nigeria.” 

In her reaction, Hillary Clinton, 

former US Secretary of State, also 

asked President Buhari to stop 

the killing of protesters. 

In a tweet late Tuesday night, 

Clinton lent her voice in support 

of those who had condemned the 

action of the soldiers. 

“I’m calling on @mbuhari and 

the @hqnigerianarmy to stop 

killing young #EndSARS 

protesters,” she tweeted. 

Reacting to the killings of the 

#EndSARS protesters at Lekki,, 

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of 

Canterbury, condemned it in its 

entirety. 

Welby, in a tweet, asked 


to ensure that the lives of citizens 

were protected, and 

commiserated with families who 

lost their loved ones in the killings. 

“I condemn in the strongest 

terms the reported deliberate 

shooting of unarmed protesters 

in Lagos and other parts of 

Nigeria. 

“I have urged President 

Muhammadu Buhari directly to 

ensure that lives are protected – 

and I say that again now. I mourn 

for Nigeria. May God save 

Nigeria,’’ he tweeted. 

Black Tuesday: Those responsible 

must pay for this genocide 

— Clark, Adebanjo, Nwodo, Bitrus 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

THE Southern and 

Middle Belt Leaders 

Forum, SMBLF, yesterday, 

expressed anger over the killing 

of peaceful protesters by security 

personnel noting that those 

responsible for the act must be 

brought to book. 

It also called on the United 

Nations to set up a commission 

of inquiry into the killings. 

This was contained in a 

statement by Chief E k Clark 

(South South), Chief Ayo 

Adebanjo (South West); Chief 

John Nwodo (South East), and 

Dr Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt). 


SMBLF is devastated by the 

premeditated killings of Nigerian 

peaceful protesters with the kind 

of force that has yet to be seen 

even against terrorist Boko 

Haram by the regime of President 

Muhammadu Buhari. 

“The killings that claimed 

scores of lives across cities in 

Nigeria on Tuesday 20/10/2020 

appeared orchestrated and fangs 

- baring in the most despotic 

manner aimed at smashing the 

#EndSARS protests that have 

been in the order of 

constitutionally recognized right 

to peaceful protests. 

But the Buhari regime, 

behaving like a junta that does 

not brook any opposition, 

allegedly started sponsoring 

thugs against the protesters until 

Tuesday when it removed all 

gloves. 

In Lekki Tollgate in Lagos that 

was the Tianamen Square of the 

crackdown, solders openly 

opened fire on protesters killing 

them and carting away their 

bodies. Eyewitness reports say 

the soldiers allegedly switched off 

lights in the area as well as the 

CCTV cameras before they 

started sporadic shootings. 

“The gruesome killings was a 

reflection of what dictators do with 

ethnic militia which Buhari has 

turned our security forces to in 

the last five years which is part of 

his atrocities we are currently 

challenging in court. 

“The police killed several other 

protesters in Mushin area and 

other parts of the state. 

''24 hours before the killings, 

former governor of the state, 

Senator Bola Tinubu, who was 

accused of backing the protest was 

invited to Abuja. Shortly after 

returning his godson, the 

governor, Mr Babatunde Sanwo- 

Olu issued a few hours notice for 

a 24-hour curfew in the state in 

what now appears like a 

preparation for the crackdown. 

The governor and his godfather 

now seem to have a replay of late 

Sir Michael Otedola as Lagos 

governor who, in collaboration 

with Abacha in 1993, mowed 

down peaceful protesters. 

“In the FCT, there were also 

reports of killings of protesters in 

alleged state-sponsored violence 

as miscreants from the 

President’s corner of the country 

were reportedly mobilized to kill 

protesters. 

“Killings were reported in other 

towns and cities across Nigeria. 

“We frown at the killings of 

unspecified number of people in 

state murders. 

“We totally reject the various 

panels set up in different parts of 

the country as there is no basis 

to get justice under this regime 

as all institutions that can give 

such are under its armpit''


:Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: 

AGM—From left: Vice President, Igbobi College Old Boys Association, ICOBA, Femi Olubanwo; 

Chairman, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Bode Thorpe; member, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Amb. Aderemi 

Esan; Chairman, Board of Governors, Igbobi College, Sir Kehinde Smith; Past President, ICOBA, 

Foluso Phillips, and President, ICOBA, Olumuyiwa Kinoshi (sitting), during the Annual General 

Meeting of the association, held in Lagos. 

#EndSARS protests: IPC condemns arson 

attacks on media outlets, journalists 

LAGOS—THE International 

Press Centre, IPC, has 

expressed serious concerns over 

the targeting of media nstitutions 

and harassment of journalists in 

the on-going #EndSARS and 

#EndSWAT protests across the 

country. 

IPC in a statement by its 

Executive Director, IPC, Mr. 

Lanre Arogundade, “particularly 

condemns the Wednesday 

October 21, 2020, arson attack on 

Television Continental, TVC, as 

well as the molestation of the 

journalists and other media 

professionals working in the 

establishment by a mob. 

According to the statement 

“IPC equally condemns the 

assault on some security 

personnel attached to Channels 

Television that led to temporary 

halting of broadcasts by the 

station. IPC also decries the 

attack on Toyin Yusuf, a journalist 

with Osun State Broadcasting 

Corporation and another member 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

L Babajide AGOS—GOVERNOR 

Sanwo-Olu of 

Lagos State, has reacted to 

attacks on personal and public 

properties in the last 24 hours 

in the state, saying it grieved 

his heart to behold the 

destroyed properties. 

Sanwo-Olu in a post via his 

official 

Twitter 

handle@jidesanwoolu, said 

“Watching these videos, 

burning BRT buses, is a major 

....Lectures on principles of reporting crisis 

of the Nigerian Union of 

Journalists by some angry youths 

while covering the protests in the 

state. 

“IPC further condemns the 

prevention of an Arise TV crew 

from carrying out their legitimate 

duty at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, 

by a group of soldiers also today, 

Wednesday, October 21.” 

Arogundade, warned that 

molestation of journalists and 

other media professionals either 

by the security agents, mobs or 

protesters was not acceptable, 

saying “The media and 

journalists have the legitimacy to 

report the current crisis across the 

country with a view to bringing 

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.” 

IPC Executive Director, noted 

that 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 also said it was 

imperative for “journalists covering 

and reporting the #EndSARS protests 

and the fall out 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.” 

I can’t watch arsonists, hoodlums continue to 

hide under #EndSARS protests —Sanwo-Olu 

EndSARS: MFM decries shooting of protesters 

L 

AGOS—MOUNTAIN of Fire 

and Miracles Ministries, 

MFM, has expressed sadness 

over the shooting of protesting 

youths by Nigerian security 

operatives. 

The security operatives were 

reported on Tuesday to have used 

live bullets on the youths that 

were carrying out peaceful protest 

across the country against Police 

brutality. 

The church, in a statement by 

its PR Taskforce Committee, and 

signed by the chairman, Brother 

Collins Edomaruse, frowned at 

the incident, saying: “Those who 

....Begs residents to obey curfew 

heartbreak for me personally 

and as governor, I cannot 

watch as arsonists, hoodlums 

and anarchists continue to 

hide under the #EndSars 

protest to unleash mayhem on 

the state and wantonly disrupt 

citizens lives and property. 

“Imposing this curfew was 

difficult, especially as we have 

just returned from a Covid-19 

required lockdown. 

“This curfew will allow 

shed innocent blood, their own 

blood will certainly be shed.” 

The statement read in part: “It 

is indeed a Black Tuesday in the 

annals of Lagos and Nigeria. This 

is least expected in this century. 

While youths all over the world 

are contributing their own quota 

to good governance, the security 

forces are shooting their own in 

cold blood, devoid of human 

feelings and empathy. 

“Biblical principles of the 

Almighty God, says that the 

wickedness of the wicked, will 

consume the wicked. Those who 

shed innocent blood, their own 

security officials to 

immediately restore order to 

the state, arrest thugs and 

miscreants that have disrupted 

the peace. 

“Peaceful protesters and 

residents of Lagos should obey 

the curfew and stay in their 

homes to allow our security 

forces take immediate action to 

de-escalate all the issues of 

violence occurring at this 

time.” 

blood will certainly be shed. Let 

it be known that whatever is done 

under the cover of darkness with 

the belief that nobody sees it, will surely 

be brought to light and God the Ultimate 

Judge, will definitely judge speedily. 

"For it is written in Psalm 10.18: 'You 

will hear the cries of the oppressed and 

the orphans; you will judge in their favor, 

so that mortal men may cause terror no 

more'. 

"Our hearts and prayers go to the 

Nigerian youths and all others negatively 

affected by this unfortunate and 

avoidable situation. We pray that God 

Almighty will minister peace and comfort 

to their hearts." 

How person go use business capital take 

buy eba because of star? I get yellow 

garri for house! 

Hope 'after all I have done for him' won't 

come up if things go sour tomorrow? 

African 

mums, 

we hail 

thee! 

So 

caring!



N/Delta youth groups demand sharing 

of minerals' proceeds 

...Gives FG ultimatum to respond to demands 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

UYO — Niger Delta 

Youth groups, under 

the aegis of Young Democratic 

Movement, YDM, 

and South South Youth Assembly, 

SSYA, have demanded 

that the proceeds 

from all minerals extracted 

in any part of the country, 

including Zamfara State 

gold, should be shared 

among the states, as it is the 

case with oil derivatives 

from the Niger Delta region. 

Leaders of the youth 

groups, Kuseme Idiong of 

YDM and Victor Thompson, 

Speaker, SSYA, at a 

joint briefing in Uyo, also 

issued a three-day ultimatum 

to the Federal Government 

to present details of 

both past and present gold 

or other mineral sales. 

They particularly threatened 

a mass protest from 

Monday, should government 

fail to meet their demands. 

The youths stressed that 

Governor Bello Matawalle 

of Zamfara State has no 

right to sell gold bar to the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, insisting that the mineral 

resource belonged to 

the Federal Government. 

According to them, “For 

the record, Item 39 under 

the Exclusive Legislative 

List of the 1999 Constitution 

of the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria (as amended) 

states that mines and 

minerals including oil 

fields, oil mining, geological 

surveys and natural gas 

are exclusively under the 

control of the Federal Government. 

“The state governor has 

no such audacity to sell 

gold bar to the apex bank 

worth close to about 

N5billion. 

“The Nigerian Minerals 

and Mining Act 2007, 

which was passed into law 


Bayelsa community threatens showdown 

with SPDC over oil spill 

By Samuel Oyadongha 

YENAGOA—INDIGENES 

of Ikarama community in 

Yenagoa Local Government 

Area of Bayelsa State have 

threatened a show down with 

Shell Petroleum Development 

Company, SPDC, over the 

disputed claims on causes of 

crude oil spill from the 

Adibawa-Okordia delivery 

trunk line in the area. 

This came as 

Environmental Rights Action/ 

Friends of the Earth Nigeria, 

ERA/FoEN, listed Ikarama 

community as having the 

highest documented crude oil 

spills in the region. 

While the Ikarama 

community folks argued that 

though they had been tagged 

the community with the 

highest frequency of oil 

spillages in Bayelsa State, 

mostly due to equipment 

failures and corrosion, the 

position of SPDC on alleged 

third party interference 

despite verifiable evidence 

from the National Oil Spill 

on March 16, 2007, to repeal 

the Minerals and 

Mining Act, No. 34 of 1999 

for the purposes of regulating 

the exploration and 

exploitation of solid materials 

in Nigeria vested the 

control of all properties and 

minerals in Nigeria in the 

state, and prohibits unauthorised 

exploration or exploitation 

of minerals. 

“We give the Federal Government 

until October 24, 

2020, to give a robust and 

satisfactory response to our 

demands else the youths of 

Niger Delta shall on October 

26, 2020, embark on a 

nationwide protest, drawing 

the attention of the international 

community to 

this terrible situation. We 

must warn that we will not 

leave the streets until our 

demands are met.” 

The youth groups demanded 

that the Federal 

Executive Council, FEC, 

and the National Assembly 

should revisit the derivative 

funds formula for oil rich 

Niger Delta states as oil 

producing states are fed 

below the 13 percent derivation. 

They warned that failure 

to review the derivative 

funds formula for oil rich 

Niger Delta states upwards, 

the Federal Government 

must allow Niger Delta to 

directly sell her oil just as 

the recent case of Zamfara 

State gold bar. 

Detection and Response 

Agency, NOSDRA, was 

provocative. 

The paramount ruler of 

Ikarama community, Chief 

Herbert Alfred and one of the 

owners of properties 

impacted by the crude oil 

spillage told newsmen in 

Yenagoa at an interaction 

tagged “Resisting Regulatory 

Capture” organised by ERA/ 

FoEN, that after series of 

correspondence with the 

management of SPDC to own 

up and accept responsibility 

towards compensation and 

remediation failed, they have 

no choice but to shut down 

Shell facility in their domain. 

Head, Bayelsa Office of 

ERA/FoEN, Morris Alagoa, 

said the decision of the safe 

environment advocacy group 

was to intervene in the 

ongoing Ikarama 

community and SPDC face 

off and discourage any 

attempts at regulatory 

capture. 

He said: “One major area 

of disagreement between 

stakeholders in the oil 

industry is the cause of spill as 

a lot depends on it." 

Court restrains 

Delta govt from 

conferring 

clanship status 

on Beneku 

By Festus Ahon & 

Ochuko Akuopha 

OZORO —A Delta State 

High Court, sitting in 

Ozoro, has restrained the state 

government from conferring 

the status of clanship on 

Beneku, pending the determination 

of a suit challenging 

it. 

The claimants, Okwa 

Young Osakwe and 10 others, 

in suit, had argued that 

Beneku is part of Umusadege-Ogbe 

community, Utagba- 

Ogbe kingdom in Ndokwa 

West Local Government Area 

of the state. 

They also sought an order 

restraining the Delta State 

House of Assembly from debating 

or processing the Executive 

Bill sent to it by the 

state governor seeking to confer 

clanship status and installing 

a king in Beneku. 

#EndSARS: Okowa to Nigerian 

leaders: 'Let’s right the wrongs' 

By Festus Ahon 

AIfeanyi SABA—GOVERNOR 

Okowa of Delta 

State, yesterday, urged 

Nigerian leaders to rally 

and earnestly begin the 

process of correcting the 

wrongs in the society, 

saying as leaders, they 

need to start the process of 

re-building a nation that 

works for all. 

Okowa in a condolence 

message to the youths of 

the country, following the 

shooting of EndSARS 

protesters at Lekki, Lagos 

on Tuesday, said, “It is 

obvious that we cannot 

suppress the voice of the 

Nigerian youths. They 

have suffered untold pains 

and expressed their 

frustrations in the last two 

weeks.” 

By Francis Efe 

W 

A R R I — 

HUNDREDS of 

#EndSARS protesters in 

Warri, Delta State, have 

blocked entrance and exit 

to the Nigerian Ports 

Authority, NPA, Warri, 

chanting ‘Buhari Must Go’, 

setting up burn-fire and 

diverting vehicles to other 

routes. 

But for the quick 

intervention of some 

community youth leaders, 

who had to put out raging 

burn-fire at the 

Ugbuwangue Junction on 

the NPA Expressway in 

Warri, the protesting 

youths, who came out in 

the early hours of yesterday, 

would have also blocked 

the Ugbuwangue axis of 

the busy route. 

Some of the angry 

protesters were heard 

chanting, “We have no 

The governor in a 

statement said: “As leaders, 

our duty is to start to right 

the wrongs. We need to 

start the process of rebuilding 

a nation that 

works for all. 

“We need to take steps to 

recreate hope for our 

people, the youths 

inclusive. To the protesters, 

my dear youths, you have 

spoken loudly. You have 

changed the narrative, and 

the reforms you called for 

cannot be wished away.” 

Okowa reiterated his 

appeal to the youths to give 

the government time to 

reflect and take action on 

their demands, saying “just 

a little space. 

“You are heroes and 

heroines, and you should 

not allow your well-intentioned 

protests to take a negative turn.” 

....Protesters block access to 

Warri Port 

jobs,’ “All the companies 

have gone,’ ‘Buhari dey 

make life tough for us, he 

must go,” among others. 

Vehicular movement at 

the NPA Expressway, 

which serves as major entry 

and exit to the Oil City of 

Warri from Effurun, was 

brought to a standstill, 

while fresh leaves were put 

by motorists on their 

vehicles as a mark of 

solidarity with the protest. 

The protesters carried 

placards with inscriptions 

such as '#EndSARS 

brutality, stop killing 

Nigerians (sic) youths', ‘We 

move 4 better Nigeria', 

‘#EndSARS Bad 

Government', ‘President 

Must Go', ‘We break the 

rule, fuck the govt', among 

others. 

Some of the protesters 

who spoke to Vanguard 

said, they were tired of the 

situation in the country, 

adding that the old politicians 

should give way for the youths. 

Oleh killings: Isoko leaders 

commiserate with monarch 

By Ochuko Akuopia 

O LEH—LEADERS 

of the Isoko nation 

have commiserated with 

the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh 

kingdom, Isoko South Local 

Government Area, Delta 

State HRM Anthony 

Ovrawah, Omogha I, on 

the recent killing of nine 

indigenes of the kingdom. 

The leaders who paid a 

commiseration visit to the 

traditional ruler, described 

the killings as barbaric, 

inhuman and alien to the 

culture of Isoko people. 

The delegation included 

Chairman of Isoko South 

Local Government Area, 

Sir Itiako Ikpokpo; MD 

DESOPADEC, Bashorun 

Askia Ogieh; clan Otota of 

Igbide kingdom, Chief 

Denis Etaluku, Director 

Warri / Uwie Development 

Agency, Chief Ovuozorie 

Macaulay; President 

General of Isoko 

Development Union, Chief 

Iduh Amadhe; Anglican 

Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. 

Rev John Aruakpor, among 

others. 

Presenting the position of 

the Isoko leaders, Chief 

Etaluku appealed to Oleh 

community to toe the line 

of peace, assuring them of 

the determination of Isoko 

South and Delta State 

government to get to the 

root of the matter and bring 

the perpetrators to book. 

The delegation 

commended the people of 

the Oleh kingdom for their 

peaceful disposition and 

appealed to them to remain 

calm. 

Responding, the clan 

Otota of Oleh, Chief 

Benjamine Onojerame and 

President General of Oleh 

kingdom, urged the Isoko 

leaders to ensure that the 

perpetrators of the 

killings are brought to 

book to assuage the 

pains of the victims’ 

families and Oleh people.


THE Academic Staff Union of 

Universities, ASUU, has 

been on its latest strike since March 

23, 2020. Prolonged strikes have 

been part of the unenviable traditions 

of the Union. They date back to the 

1970s, and this has contributed in no 

little way in devaluing tertiary 

education in Nigeria, part of the very they have access to our public treasury 

objectives that the frequent strikes and can educate their children in the 

are out to promote. 

best universities outside Nigeria. These 

These strikes have frustrated the ASUU strikes unwittingly wreak 

academic pursuits of Nigerian students, collateral damage on the masses. 

especially the children and wards of the There is no doubt that ASUU has 

middle and lower economic classes very cogent reasons to withdraw their 

seeking education and knowledge as a services. We have been saddled with 

means of escaping poverty and 

irresponsible leadership and 

destitution. Students lose many years of governments down the ages till date; 

their youthful lives staying idle at home. people who have neither the capacity, 

Many are forced to abandon education will nor passion to give Nigerians good 

altogether. 

governance which would positively 

Unfortunately, the children of the impact on all sectors including education 

ruling classes and political officeholders and health. 

who have misgoverned Nigeria since 

These people are only interested in 

independence are largely unaffected by lining their pockets with public funds 

these Demoralising strikes because rather than solving the knotty problems 

ASUU strike now anti-people 

that government is meant to solve. They 

neglect our schools and fail to honour 

agreements signed with the ASUU and 

other unions within the educational 

system aimed at improving the 

conditions of learning in our universities. 

These are the main drivers of these 

ASUU strikes. 

We have always stood on the side 

of ASUU’s efforts to get governments to 

respect signed Memorandums of 

Understanding, MOUs, towards 

uplifting our universities. However, on 

the issue of integrating the Union into 

the Federal Government’s Integrated 

Payroll and Personnel Information 

System, IPPIS, which ASUU’s rejection 

led to this strike, we fail to fault the 

Federal Government. 

ASUU members, being staff of 

the Federal Government, should be 

part of this successful payroll system 

which is capable of curbing 

corruption (especially the menace of 

ghost workers) at source. Most 

sectors have already been captured 

into this system but the ASUU 

leadership insists on its home-grown 

University Transparency and 

Accountability Solution, UTAS. 

We commend the Federal 

Government for opting to test the 

workability of the UTAS and 

releasing N30bn Earned Allowance 

for payment to ASUU members. 

These may not be enough, but at 

least government is showing some 

eagerness to meet ASUU halfway and 

get our universities reopened. 

ASUU should shift ground, 

resume work and continue the 

negotiations. Our children have 

suffered enough! ASUU should 

remain pro-people. 

OPINION 

No to brute force, yes to people-centred justice 

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA 

EVENTS of the recent weeks 

have shown the strength of 

the appetite for justice among 

Nigerians, with the loudest 

demands coming from the nation's 

youngsters, who will decide its 

future as a nation. The rippling 

effect of their action is still 

cascading, even as you are reading 

this piece. 

While this can lead to conflict 

between citizens and their 

government, like the gory reports 

in the social media indicates, it can 

also prompt a new commitment to 

understanding people’s justice 

problems and solving them in 

innovative ways. 

Only a few days ago, the 

Hague Institute for Innovation of 

Law, HiiL, brought together justice 

leaders, to brainstorm on 

transforming the justice system in 

Nigeria. The participants, who 

were part of the brainstorming 

process, put together by the 

Country Representative, Mrs. 

Ijeoma Nwafor, took decisive first 

steps towards designing a peoplecentred 

justice system that will 

meet the needs of a rapidly 

changing society and fast-growing 

economy. Implementation of agreed 

next steps is now the focus. 

The work of this pioneering 

group of justice leaders shows what 

can be achieved by taking justice 

out of the formal confines of 

institutions and bringing it closer 

to where people live and work. 

No fewer than 28 justice 

leaders came together, in two 

dialogue retreats, which lasted six 

From what the 

nation is passing 

through today, it 

becomes very clear that 

the transformation of 

justice towards more 

people-centred 

approaches, sincere 

efforts must be made to 

explore innovative 

approaches to ensure 

the desired change and 

not through brute force 

days. They were drawn from the 

Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, 

Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Police, 

Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, civil 

society organizations, CSOs, the 

State Branch of Nigeria Bar 

Association, Nigeria Correctional 

Service, National Orientation 

Agency, NOA, as well as traditional 

and religious leaders, and 

representatives from the private 

sector. 

The new justice strategy, 

which was launched October 15, 

2020, provided an opportunity to 

present the conclusions of Imo’s 

inaugural Justice Transformation 

Lab to a wider group of 

stakeholders within the State, and 

to the public at large. 

People-centered goals, targets, 

pathways and game-changers were 

unveiled. In widely communicating 

the people-centred results that 

came from the Justice 

Transformation Lab in Imo State, 

leaders reaffirmed their 

commitment to making justice 

happen for all Imo people, and by 

extension, Nigeria. 

Indeed, and with the 

prevailing circumstances in the 

land, the need for a peoplecentered 

justice system in Nigeria, 

has become absolutely necessary, 

more than ever before. For 

instance, Musa in rural Kano State, 

is a farmer; while Ngozi sells 

vegetables in a village in Imo 

State, and Abike is a widow in a 

remote part of Ogun State. 

All three are Nigerians, but 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

their experiences in access to 

justice, is different from Dr. Adamu 

in Abuja, Sekibo the fisherman from 

Rivers State or Hadiza the beauty 

mogul from Bauchi! Whether the 

difference is gender based, 

location-driven or socioeconomically 

influenced, does not 

matter as much as it tells the story 

of unequal access to justice. 

Records show that a 

staggering 73 percent of Nigerians 

have unmet justice needs! This is a 

huge population from the 

approximately 200 million people 

in Nigeria. Truth is that this figure 

is not gender-centered, sociopolitical 

centered and certainly not 

location-centered justice, and the 

current reality in the country has 

helped to prove. 

From what the nation is 

passing through today, it becomes 

very clear that the transformation of 

justice towards more peoplecentred 

approaches, sincere efforts 

must be made to explore innovative 

approaches to ensure the desired 

change and not through brute 

force 

Ṡimilarly, special attention 

should be given to the justice 

needs of women, rural dwellers and 

the less privileged in Nigeria. The 

rights of Nigerian citizens, 

affordability and efficacy of the 

justice system, must come into 

cognizance, if the people-centered 

justice innovations is to be realized 

in our lifetime.

#EndSARS: Stocks nosedive, investors lose N113.1bn 

ECONOMY 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Nigerian stock market 

could not sustain the bullish 

performance recorded earlier 

in the week as the market, 

yesterday, plunged by 0.75 percent 

following the curfew announced 

by the Lagos State as 

a result of the protest by Nigerian 

youths against police brutality, 

tagged #EndSARS. 

Market analysts have expressed 

skepticism about bullish 

performance in subsequent 

trading sessions this week; 

even as investors position 

ahead of the third quarter, 2020 

(Q3’20) earnings releases. 

The analysts noted that foreign 

investors are always wary 

of insecurity in any economy 

and would begin to halt investments. 

Analysts at InvestData Limited 

said: “We expect this volatility 

to continue, even as high 

Dividend Yields attract inflow to 

equity assets, ahead of the peak 

period of the Q3 earnings reporting 

season and momentum 

associated with earnings season 

in the midst of crude oil price 

oscillation.” 

Meanwhile, investors on the 

Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, 

lost N113.1 billion as market 

capitalisation, which represents 

the total value of stocks traded 

on the Exchange fell to N14.9 

trillion while Year to Date, YtD 

return weakened to 6.0 percent. 

Sell pressures dominated 

today’s trading session as investors 

booked gains from 

MTN Nigeria which dropped 

-1.4 percent followed by 

Guinness Nigeria -5.9 percent 

and ARDOVA -6.3 percent . 

As a result, the NSE All- 

Share Index, ASI declined 75 

bases points, bps or 0.7 percent 

to 28,449.49 points. 

Activity level improved as volume 

and value traded rose by 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

RAND 

103.43 -1.47 

1,652.00 -15.00 

14.50 -0.04 

41.60 1.56 

41.50 -0.60 

379 379.5 380 

490.0849 490.7315 491.378 

447.4853 448.0757 448.666 

417.309 417.8595 418.41 

3.586 3.5907 3.5954 

0.6618 0.6718 0.6818 

535.4431 536.1495 536.8559 

56.7093 56.7846 56.8598 

101.0505 101.1838 101.3171 

22.937 22.9673 22.9975 

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/10/2020 

Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 22, 2020 — 11 

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT: From left - Chibueze Onah, Consultant; FOSTER; Israel Aye, Consultant, 

Facility for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER); Dr Michael Uzoigwe, Technical Lead, Demand-side 

Accountability, FOSTER and Ikem Okuhu, CEO, BRANDish, at a media engagement 

programme on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), held in Maryland, Lagos 

9.8 percent and 44.3 percent to 

326.6million units and 

N4.2billion respectively. The 

most traded stocks by volume 

were UBA (40.3million units), 

Zenith Bank (39.6million units) 

and Guaranty Trust Bank 

(38.3million units) while 

Guaranty Trust Bank 

(N1.1billion ), Zenith Bank 

(N800.9million ) and Nestle 

(N479.9million ) led by value. 

Performance across sectors 

was lacklustre as all indices lost 

Firm acquires 

Peugeot 

Nigeria, to 

inject $150m 

CAPITAL MARKET 

N 

ESBITT Invest 

ment Nigeria has 

acquired Peugeot Automobile 

Nigeria (PAN) 

and plans to inject $150 

million in the next 

three years to revamp 

the automobile company. 

NESBITT said the 

$150 million investment 

would be spent on 

retooling and upgrading 

PAN’s assembly line 

as well as in supporting 

infrastructure and 

working capital. 

Commenting on the 

acquisition of the company 

at the PAN assembly 

plant in Kaduna to 

CableNews on Monday, 

Ahmed Wadada-Aliyu, 

PAN’s new chairman, 

assured that the company 

would be introducing 

new brands of vehicles 

into the market 

to re-launch brand 

affordability in the 

country. 

“PAN under the supervision 

of the board 

shall undergo massive 

restructuring, and in so 

doing, we shall observe 

strict governance protocols, 

transparency, 

business integrity, efficiency 

and ethics in our 

undertakings,” he said. 

“In 2019, Nigeria 

imported at least 

400,000 used cars as 

against 68,000 brand 

new vehicles. Because 

of this imbalance, PAN 

will be introducing new 

brands of vehicles into 

the market to re-launch 

brand affordability in 

Nigeria such that Nigerians 

will have access 

to brand new vehicles.” 

“Our biggest concern 

is the over 50 assembly 

plants that have not 

made any matching investments 

but are enjoying 

the incentives of 

the auto policy.” 

We are driving growth of domestic gas market 

to power Nigerian economy — Seplat 

ECONOMY 

SEPLAT Petroleum Development 

Company Plc, said it is driving the 

growth of the domestic gas market to 

power the economy particularly because 

of the energy short fall in terms of electricity 

Ṫhe Chief Executive Officer of Seplat, 

Mr. Roger Brown, said this at the 

1stEdition of the Nigerian Oil & Gas 

Webinar organised by the Council and 

Management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange 

(NSE) themed “Perspectives of 

Operators and Industry Experts Post- 

COVID-19” held on Tuesday. 

Brown was represented by the 

company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. 

Emeka Onwuka on a panel 

dubbed”Impact of COVID-19 and Oil 

volatility on operations, the Nigerian Gas 

market, Key Challenges and Forward 

except Insurance index (0.6 percent) 

which was buoyed by price 

appreciation in WAPIC (10.0 percent). 

The Banking index lost the 

most, down 1.7 percent following 

losses in Guaranty Trust (-1.3 percent) 

and Zenith Bank (-1.2 percent). 

Private sector-led growth strategy will boost 

Nigeria’s FDI, job creation — IFC Report 

MONEY MARKET 

By Nkiruka Nnorom 

THE International Finance 

Corporation, IFC, a member 

of the World Bank Group, has 

said that Nigeria could attract the 

much needed Foreign Direct Investment, 

FDI, into the country 

and create millions of jobs with 

adoption of a broader private sector-led 

growth strategy. 

IFC stated this in a report titled 

“the Nigeria Country 

Private Sector Diagnostic 

(CPSD)”, jointly 

launched with the World 

Bank. 

The IFC through the 

report, emphasised the 

need for the country to 

place greater emphasis 

on addressing infrastructure 

deficiencies 

and investment policies 

and identified 

agribusiness, manufacturing, 

and digital entrepreneurship, 

among others, 

as high potential 

sectors that could speed 

economic growth and job 

creation in Nigeria. 

It stated that Nigeria’s 

vibrant private sector, 

dominated by smaller 

businesses, would require 

improved policy 

frameworks and reforms 

to support sectors beyond 

oil, which contributes 

nearly 90 percent of 

the country’s export earnings. 

According to the report, potential 

investors and Nigeria’s private 

enterprises could benefit 

from the country’s extensive agricultural 

and mineral resources, 

its young and entrepreneurial 

labour force, and the country’s 

strategic position in Africa with 

market access to other member 

countries of the Economic Community 

of West African States 

(ECOWAS). 

Speaking at the virtual launch 

of the report, Eme Essien Lore, 

IFC Country Manager for Nigeria, 

said: “Nigeria’s private sector 

is among the largest in Africa 

and plays a critical role providing 

goods, services, and quality 

jobs to the country’s growing population. 

Addressing the challenges 

holding back Nigeria’s private sector—challenges 

deepened by the 

COVID-19 pandemic—will be critical 

to the country’s goal of lifting 100 

million Nigerians out of poverty by 

2030. 

“Through the CPSD, IFC, and the 

World Bank have identified policy 

actions and interventions that can 

help unlock investment and jobs.” 

According to the report, targeted 

investments in agribusiness could 

directly benefit Nigeria’s poorest 

households and help improve food 

security, while reforms in manufacturing 

could support and facilitate 

investments in the sector, boosting 

quality local production and exports. 

Strategies for the industry, Funding dynamics 

& Capital raise Opportunities.” 

According to Onwuka, “Seplat has gone 

more socially conscious in its operations in 

quest to drive a sustainable business, whilst 

promoting positive Economic, Social and 

Governance (ESG) impacts. We have had to 

take the renewable objective very seriously 

and we are currently looking at that segment 

of the market which is why we are very big in 

the midstream in terms of oil & gas. 

Mr. Onwuka also noted that Seplat currently 

supplies over 30% of the domestic gas 

requirements of the power generation companies 

(GenCos) in Nigeria. According to 

him, Seplat’s domestic supply of gas actually 

cushioned the impact of the drop in revenue 

in Nigeria arising from the global crude price 

drop. 

Earlier in his keynote address, the Minister 

of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief 

Timipre Sylva, also said that the pandemic 

resulted in loss of revenue and differed investments. 

He stressed the need for innovation 

and adaptability in the industry for enhanced 

growth and development. 

In his remarks, the Group Managing 

Director of NNPC, Malam Meye 

Kyari, who was represented by Mrs. 

Rose Eshietti (designation) said that 

the country’s N2.6 trillion oil revenue 

target declined by 40 per cent as a result 

of twin shocks of COVID-19 and 

low crude oil price. 

According to Kyari, the pandemic 

created an unprecedented and global 

crisis that would cause regions, countries, 

sectors, companies and individuals 

to experience reaction, resilience, 

recovery and adjustment for a new reality. 

Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian 

Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar 

Onyema, said, “the Nigerian Stock 

Exchange is happy to host this webinar 

at this critical time in our strategic and 

advocacy drive towards supporting the 

Nigerian Oil & Gas sector.


#EndSARS PROTESTS CONTINUE 

Protest against brutality of Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) continued yesterday. 

Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo editor, Olu Ajayi, Dare Fasube, Lamidi Bamidele, Akeem Salau & Abayomi Adeshida. 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu mother's house burnt in Surulere. 

BRT buses set ablaze at the Oyingbo, Lagos terminal. 

Protesters in Calabar, Cross River State. 

Peaceful protest at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Roundabout, Kaduna. 

Makinde Police station, Oshodi razed by hoodlums. 

Protest in Challenge Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

Television Continental, TVC (a television station owned by APC leader, 

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu) set ablaze by hoodlums at Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos. 

Ever-busy Oshodi - Apapa Expressroad at Cele Bus stop deserted as a 

result of the curfew imposed by Lagos State Government.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 — A1

A2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020


A4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020


A6 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 

08152060944 

#ENDSARS protests: A plebiscite or 

referendum on Police, government 

By Morah Ekwunoh 

WITH tell-it-to-the-bank tone, 

honesty and frankness, the ongoing 

national and international 

#ENDSARS protests constitute 

crystal clear and unmistakable plebiscite 

or referendum on the police, particularly, 

and the Nigerian federal government, 

in general, with #ENDSARS as 

mere smokescreen and simulacrum, 

bearing in mind the protests’ voracious 

spontaneity, tenacity and spread across 

the country and parts of the world, 

including the United States of America, 

Britain, Ireland, Canada and South Africa, 

to mention but a few vis-a- visit 

longstanding and grindingly notorious 

and opprobrious activities of the SARS 

outfit, particularly, and the Nigerian 

Police, generally; and fuelled and 

compounded by governance conundrum, 

quandary and quagmire into which the 

country has, most depressingly, been 

plunged. They, also, serve as 

forerunners, preludes and precursors to 

anarchic, if not revolutionary, scenario, 

which, as the doctors would say of 

debilitating illness, must be quickly 

diagnosed and treated. 

Constituents of such callous and 

heartbreaking activities, which dot our 

policing firmament, include, but are not 

limited to, extreme brutality, extra-judicial 

murders, connivance with armed robbers 

and related particepes criminis, illegal and 

unlawful detention, extortion, unethical 

behaviours such as set-ups and frameups 

of suspects, total abandonment of 

rules of engagement and principles of 

rule of law and constitutionality, in favour 

of brazen resort to brute-force, strongarm, 

stratagem and related corruptionfuelled 

sharp practices, all of which 

combined to leave in their wake long list 

of sung and unsung victims, like the 

infamous “Apo Six” involving gruesome 

murder in Abuja, by the police, of six 

youths returning from a party; Colonel 

Israel Rindam, a military Officer gunned 

down at Yaba, Lagos, despite his personal 

identification; Dele Udo, the US- based 

athlete who returned to Nigeria on 

holidays only to be killed when he 

stepped out to buy roasted beef (“suya”), 

the two Dawodu brothers who were shot 

dead by a police Constable in Adeniji 

Adele, Lagos; and other countless, 

voiceless, have-nots, down-troden and 

undocumented victims, which have 

accounted to earning many SARS oufits 

and police stations the sobriquet of 

“Human Abbators”, as in the Awkuzu, 

Anambra State, case under the headship 

of one James Nwafor, now a refugee to 

justice. 

These highly reprehensible conducts 

of systemic , if not institutional, nature 

under review become most depressing 

and sickening when viewed against the 

background of global practices and extant 

laws under which the Police Force was 

created and empowered by its founding 

fathers, particularly section 214(1), inter 

alia, of the Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria, 1999,( as altered), 

and section 4, amongst others, of the 

Police Act, Laws of the federation of 

Nigeria, 2004, the amendments of which 

still passing through the crucible of 

litigation fire. The latter section 4 stating 

that “the police shall be employed for 

the prevention and detection of crime, 

the apprehension of offenders, the 

preservation of law and order, the 

protection life and property, and the due 

enforcement of all laws and regulations 

with which they are directly charged”. 

Other germane constitutional 

safeguards and rights which enure in 

favour of citizens at the receiving ends of 

police atrocities, but which are destroyed 

and reduced to rubble and smithereens 

which are clearly delineated in Chapter 

4, among others, of the Constitution 

(supra) particularly it’s section 33 (1) 

which provides that “every person has a 

right to life, and no one shall be deprived 

intentionally of his right, save in 

execution of the sentence of a court in 

respect of a credit offence of which he 

has been found guilty in Nigeria”. Other 

relevant provisions include section 36(1) 

on presumption of until found guilty by 

a court of competent jurisdiction; section 

35 on prohibition of detention, by 

police, for not more than 48 hours; 

section 37 on guarantee and protection 

of privacy of citizens, their homes, 

correspondence, telephone 

conversations; and section 39(l) on 

freedom of expression and speech. 

With wanton violation of citizens’ 

inalienable rights, in the stead of 

protecting them, being the rule, rather 

than exception, with supervisory 

agencies of Ministry of Interior, the 

Nigerian Police Council, and the Police 

Service Commission going to bed and 

snoring, long bottled up justification for 

#ENDSARS protests inexorably 

sprouts, with all its fangs of spontaneity, 

tenacity and spread, all tearing, like a 

voracious river without embankments 

and dykes , all generational, religious, 

ethnic and political barriers in ways and 

manners surprisingly unprecedented in 

the annals of Nigeria. This apparent 

#ENDSARS 

protests inexorably 

sprouts, with all 

its fangs of 

spontaneity, 

tenacity and 

spread, all 

tearing, like a 

voracious river 

without 

embankments and 

dykes , all 

generational, 

religious, ethnic 

and political 

barriers in ways 

and manners 

surprisingly 

unprecedented in 

the annals of 

Nigeria 

unanimity among Nigerians the 

protesters seized, with all arms, in due 

and rightful recognition and exercise of 

their constitutionally enshrined rights to 

association, assembly and expression, 

amongst numerous others. 

Hybrid of 

Governance 

Conundrum, 

Quandary 

and Quagmire 

As stated in the prefatory paragraph 

herein, the government and it’s 

unrepentant and die -hard panegyrists 

will completely see and agree that hybrid 

of governance conundrum, quandary 

and quagmire not only made the 

government readily play into the open 

hands of the billeting protesters, but, also, 

provided them with smoking guns in the 

present struggle, no thanks to recurring 

hydra-headed monster of insecurity, 

especially of the classifications of kidnap 

for ransom, hearder- farmers conundrum 

and assassinations; massive 

unemployment of the teeming youths; 

excruciating hunger .and anger amongst 

preponderance of citizens leading to 

unprecedented suicide rates; policy 

summersaults, especially in the oil sector; 

obscene and provocative profligacy, 

lavishness, ostentation and waste of 

scarce and grossly inadequate national 

resources by the tiny membership of the 

ruling class, in the midst of grinding 

hunger and starvation by the overriding 

majority of the populace; persistent and 

brazen disobedience of court orders, 

judgements and rulings, as witnessed in 

the detention of the likes of Ibrahim El- 

Zakazaky and his wife, since 2015, an 

excruciating period of over five years, and 

similar detention , from 2015, till recently, 

of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), all done 

despite mountain of court orders, 

judgements and rulings in their favour; 

decapitation and emasculation of 

political opponents, human rights 

activists and intellectual prophets; 

daylight electoral robbery and brigandage 

associated with elections; and reliance 

on external borrowing and punitive 

taxation of citizens’ barest means of 

subsistence ass the only source of budget 

financing, amongst others. With the 

above-mentioned scenario in place, the 

keg of dry gunpowder waited anxiously 

for flash of lightning rod to ignite, as done 

by the SARS outfit through the 

instrumentality of extreme brutality, extra 

-judicial killings, extortion, connivance 

and collaboration with armed robbers, setups 

and frame-ups of suspects, unethical 

behaviours and total abandonment of 

rules of engagement and principles of 

rule of law and constitutionality, thus 

robbing the government of requisite 

onore, while turning the hitherto 

pusillanimous Nigerians into wounded 

and roaring lions overnight. 

In all these, don’t forget that 

application of the provisions of sections 

14(2) and 14(3) of the Constitution 

(supra) is also at the root of the struggle. 

The said section 14(2) provides that 

“the security and welfare of the people 

shall be the primary purpose of 

government “, whereas section 14( 3), 

on its part, orders this: “The composition 

of the Government of the Federation or 

any of its agencies and conduct of its 

affairs shall be carried out in such a 

manner as to reflect the federal character 

of Nigeria and the need to promote 

national unity, and ,also, to command 

national loyalty, and thereby ensuring 

that there shall be no predominance of 

persons from a few ethnic or other 

sectional groups in that Government or 

in any of its agencies”. 

These provisions, l submit, the present 

government is clearly in violent 

violation of; and which , l further 

submit, is aggravating and greatly 

inflaming passion in the present 

situation. 

Pathway to Peace 

As a way out the imbroglio, the federal 

government should swallow its pride; 

come out of its shell, where it balefully 

balances like a spider at the centre of its 

web; abandon the present cocky, puffy 

and cosmetic approach to the problem, 

which is already enormously 

embarrassing us in the comity of civilised 

nations; get the President to address 

Nigerians, as it’s undisputed father and 

leader; take the bull by the horns; invite 

the protesters’ leadership to, as Ojukwu 

would say, a well polished mahogany 

round table ; listen and accede to their 

major, fair and reasonable demands, as 

our children; reverse most of its 

excruciating economic policies, especially 

hikes in prices and/or charges on 

electricity, banking, phone -calls and 

internet services ; carry out painful but 

necessary 360 degree reformative 

surgery on the police, from its apex levels 

of Police Service Commission and 

Nigerian Police Council, through and 

down to its rank and file, especially in 

the areas of it’s men and officers’ 

treatment of Nigerian citizens, thus 

curing and washing it of Aladdin’s cave 

corruption through which innocent 

citizens are overawed; constitute 

Tribunal of Inquiry, under the Tribunal 

of Inquiry Act, to, among others, identify 

and /or exume bodies of youths missing 

in the hands of numerous SARS stations 

for proper burial by the parents and loved 

ones; provide permanent solution to the 

police aspect of the imbroglio riddling us 

as a nation; identify, expose and punish 

criminal elements in the force; deterring 

and making public examples of them; and 

adequately compensating victims of their 

evil behaviours, or, as the case may be, 

their families, in the event of the victims’ 

death. 

Since there was no earlier governance 

construction, in the manner of hydraulic 

engineering, of embankments and dykes 

to stem the present tides, it should, as 

the doctors would say of debilitating and 

wasting diseases, they should be, at the 

onset, diagnosed and treated, otherwise, 

they become incurable. In phraseology, 

the actions of government, as posited 

above, should, philosophically or 

Hogan Lovells hold regional training 

on dispute management in Africa 

GLOBAL law firm Hogan 

Lovells, in collaboration with 

Ghanaian law firm Bentsi- 

Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, have 

hosted a two-day power sector 

focused virtual sessions 

organised as part of the Lagos 

Chamber of Commerce 

International Arbitration Centre, 

LACIAC & Association for 

Consulting Engineering in 

Nigeria, ACEN, Second Regional 

Training Workshop on Dispute 

Management in Africa 

Infrastructure Projects, DIMAP, 

2020 with the support of Aluko & 

Oyebode, and Funmi Roberts & 

Co. 

The workshop which took place 

virtually on October 6 and 7, 2020, 

focused on construction projects in 

the power sector and presented an 

opportunity for participants to 

engage on prospects and trends 

in the power sector, and draw 

lessons and best legal practices in 

the management of major power 

projects in Nigeria and beyond. 

The training was delivered by a 

faculty of experts in the fields of 

construction, project management, 

dispute management and dispute 

resolution, and participants 

included professionals from the 

public and private sectors active 

in the power industry. 

The panel of speakers included 

Hogan Lovells London-based 

Partners Nathan Searle 

(International Arbitration) and 

Angus Rankin (International 

Arbitration, and Construction & 

Engineering), and International 

Arbitration and Construction & 

Engineering colleagues, Dr 

Ademola Bamgbose (London) 

and Ilham Kabbouri (Dubai). 

Also present: Dr Nelson 

Ogunshakin, OBE, Chief 

Executive Officer, FIDIC; George 

Okoroma, President, ACEN 

Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN , 

Head of Litigation, Arbitration and 

ADR Groups, Aluko & Oyebode 

and Chairman of LACIAC; Nania 

Owusu-Ankomah, Partner, Bentsi- 

Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah; and 

Funmi Iyayi, Managing Director, 

LACIAC. 

The discussions were structured 

around legal risk management in 

all phases of the project cycle 

(procurement, negotiation and 

delivery of construction contracts 

in the power sector), with a 

particular focus on recent 

developments and challenges 

arbitration practitioners have been 

seeing following the COVID-19 

Pandemic in the Nigerian and West 

African Market. 

C 

M 

Y 

K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 — A7 

08052202308 (sms only) 

How to fight growing poverty, joblessness, inequality 

— ILO 

Stories By Victor 

Ahiuma-Young 

AS labour markets 

around the world 

continue to reel from the 

COVID-19 crisis, 

International Labour 

Organisation, ILO, has given 

insight into how to fight the 

dangers of growing poverty, 

joblessness and inequality. 

ILO Director-General, Guy 

Ryder, in statements to the 

Annual Meeting of the 

International Monetary 

Fund, IMF, and the World 

Bank Group, called for 

sustained social spending as 

well as structural changes to 

counter the dangers of 

growing poverty, joblessness 

and inequality. 

Guy Ryder outlined the 

particularly harsh impact of 

COVID-19 on many of the 

two billion workers in 

informal employment, as well 

as on those with little 

protection such as temporary, 

domestic or migrant workers. 

According to him, “While 

some have access to sick 

leave and health services 

and continue to receive a 

salary, for many of those at 

the bottom of the income 

distribution, the 

consequences of COVID-19 

have been catastrophic. The 

COVID-19 crisis has exposed 

deep-rooted inequalities. 

Without profound structural 

changes these will merely 

intensify, with consequences 

that would be very difficult to 

predict.” 

Ryder called for post COVID- 

19 policy frameworks to be 

Members of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, during a protest for decent employment. 

consistent with the principles 

set out in international human 

rights instruments and social 

security standards, saying 

“Today this is particularly 

relevant for fiscal policies to 

underpin much-needed 

investments in universal social 

protection systems. Most states 

have mobilized their social 

protection systems. However, 

many of the adopted measures 

have been temporary and 

often insufficient to offset the 

steep decline in incomes during 

this protracted crisis. 

“Many countries have 

adopted large scale fiscal 

packages in response to the 

crisis, particularly to support 

incomes and businesses. 

However, the ILO has found 

that fiscal stimulus has been 

unevenly distributed worldwide 

when compared to the scale of 

labour market disruptions. 

Nearly nine-tenths of the 

global fiscal response to the 

crisis has been in advanced 

countries. Filling the stimulus 

gap in emerging and 

developing countries requires 

greater international solidarity 

while improving the 

effectiveness of stimulus 

measures. The poorest 

countries should not be forced 

to choose between honouring 

their debt obligations and 

protecting their people.” 

A human approach to 

recover faster, better 

The ILO Director-General 

also warned against the 

profound and lasting effects 

of the COVID-19 crisis on 

the world economy and 

living conditions, in the 

context of global 

transformations already 

underway, driven by 

automation, geopolitics, 

ageing, migration and 

climate change. 

“A combination of crisisrelated 

and structural 

pressures could create a 

perfect storm of challenges 

for employment, household 

income and other aspects 

of human security in many 

countries over the next 

decade. 

''These are the ultimate 

determinants of consumer 

and investor confidence, 

aggregate demand and 

economic growth and 

development. 

“The world economy 

needs to find a new, or at 

least supplemental, engine 

of economic recovery to the 

fundamental building 

blocks of economic and 

social progress: widely 

available employment for 

all, skilling opportunities, 

decent working conditions, 

sustainable enterprises, 

adequate social protection 

and increased gender 

equality, with all of the 

contributions to 

productivity growth, 

purchasing power and 

consumer and investor 

confidence these bring. 

“An extraordinary 

collective effort, built on 

Our quarrel with Labour's acceptance of deregulation — Workers' rights 

campaigners 

THE dust raised by 

Organised Labour’s 

acceptance of full deregulation of 

the downstream petroleum sector 

consequent upon which it 

aborted its planned general strike 

in the wee hours of Monday, 

September 28, without a fight, 

has refused to settle, as another 

pro-workers’ rights campaigners, 

Campaign for Democratic and 

Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has 

faulted the decision. 

CDWR in a statement by its 

Chairperson and National 

Publicity Secretary, Rufus 

Olusesan and Chinedu Bosah, 

insisted that the decision was 

among others, a betrayal. 

According to the statement, 

“The acceptance of deregulation 

as well as the suspension of the 

indefinite strike and mass protest 

scheduled for September 28, 

2020, was not just capitulation of 

the labour leaders but a betrayal 

of their historical roles. By virtue 

of the agreement signed 

between labour leaders and the 

federal government, labour 

leaders have agreed to the 

“inevitability” of deregulation 

and consequently future price 

increases in the pump price of 

fuel. The unjustified suspension 

of the general strike has further 

dented the already battered 

image of the organized labour 

and has weakened the trade 

union movement. 

Sacked Valiant Energy Services workers 

to get full benefits — NUPENG 

NIGERIA Union of 

Petroleum and 

Natural Gas Workers, 

NUPENG, has told 39 sacked 

workers among others, of 

Valiant Energy Services West 

Africa, a contractor to Shell 

Petroleum Development 

Company, SPDC, their full 

benefits will be paid soon. 

Making this known in a 

statement, President and 

General Secretary of the 

Union, Prince Williams 

Akopreha, and Afolabi 

Olawale, said “You will recall 

our long drawn battles and 

struggles to get terminal 

benefits for 39 Union 

members whose employment 

were terminated dubiously by 

Valiant Energy Services West 

Africa and had for several 

months refused to pay the 

workers final entitlements of 

until the Union brought it to 

its kneels with our collective 

struggle. 

“We are very pleased to 

inform you that we have been 

able to secure firm agreement 

(witnessed by General 

Manager Services of 

NAPPIMS and guaranteed 

by SHELL management) for 

the payment of the entire 

final entitlements of the 39 and 

all the crew members currently 

on the Rig of FRIGG under 

Valiant Energy Services 

employment including all the 

catering staff. 

“This struggle was won 

after what appears to be the 

longest strike on any rig 

platform in Nigeria. The strike 

lasted 15 days with victory at 

last. The negotiation for this 

landmark agreement was 

executed in the most 

professional manner under 

the leadership of our 

President Prince Williams 

Akporeha. 

"We use this opportunity to 

appreciate the support of the 

DSS, Federal Ministry of 

Labour, NAPIMS and the 

management of SHELL. We 

also appreciate Staff that 

spent sleepless nights to 

make this happened. This 

victory is for all of us and the 

working masses.” 

“Because of this betrayal and 

many others in the past, workers 

and the masses see organized top 

labour leadership as not just 

toothless bulldog but one that has 

taken sides with anti-poor 

capitalist ruling elite against 

Nigerian working masses. The 

major problem in the trade union 

movement is the fact that labour 

leaders also subscribes to neoliberal 

capitalist policies of 

deregulation and privatization. 

These are policies which 

immensely contribute to the 

rising cost of living, poverty, 

massive job losses, and massive 

profiteering for a few capitalists. 

This ideological bankruptcy is 

reflected in the reluctance of 

labour leaders to challenge 

casualization and outsourcing 

policies that allow employers of 

labour to further enslave workers. 

“Contrary to the impression 

created by labour leaders, there 

is nothing to celebrate in the 

agreement. The deregulation, 

which they have accepted means 

that prices of petroleum product 

can be increased at will to suit 

marketers’ greed and profit while 

electricity tariff would be 

suspended for two weeks only for 

it to be increased afterwards. The 

palliative program is a ruse; why 

would labour leaders shamelessly 

agree to 133 buses, something 

that is not even enough for a 

local government? “Labour 

leaders and government have 

forced Nigerian working masses 

to pass through this deceitful road 

many times and Nigerian working 

masses should reject it. 

"The manner with which 

Ayuba Wabba, President of 

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, 

and other top labour leaders 

suspended/called off the strike 

clearly show the monstrous 

bureaucracy that already exists 

and is deepened within the trade 

union movement. 

“CDWR condemns the 

undemocratic manner with which 

the strike was called off. Since the 

organs (Central Working 

Committee, CWC and National 

Executive Council, NEC) of the 

two trade union centres (NLC 

and Trade Union Congress of 

Nigeria, TUC) were convoked to 

give their nod to embark on the 

strike, it would have been more 

democratic to have returned to 

the same organs after the rank 

and file workers have been duly 

carried along. 

"A general strike is not a tea 

party that can be called and called 

off as top labour leaders’ wishes. 

It has to be properly mobilized for 

including taking the agitation 

and debates to branches so that 

the rank and file workers will be 

able to participate in the decisions 

making process. This central 

labour bureaucracy mirrors the 

way affiliate unions are organized 

and how rank and file workers 

are edged out in the decision 

making process by labour leaders." 

NUCFLANMPE 

confirms 

Dada 

substantive 

scribe 

Joseph Dada. 

NATIONAL Union of 

Chemical Footwear Rubber 

Leather and Non-Metallic 

Products Employees, 

NUCFRLANMPE, has 

appointed Joseph Dada as its 

substantive National Secretary. 

He has been acting since the last 

four years. 

Vanguard gathered that his 

confirmation was part of the 

outcomes of the Union's 6th 

Quadrennial Delegates 

Conference, held recently in the 

ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. 

Dada grew from the ranks and 

is well versed in trade unionism. 

He is well respected in the 

industry for his transparency, 

dedication and uncompromising 

stance on workers' rights. 

Vanguard uses this medium to 

wish him a successful tenure. 

Labbo 

replaces late 

Khaleel as 

NULGE 

National 

President 

Ahmed Labbo. 

IN the wake of the sudden 

demise of the National 

President of Nigeria Union of 

Local Government Employees, 

NULGE, an emergency National 

Executive Council, NEC, 

meeting of the Union has elected 

Ahmed Labbo, as the new 

National President. 

Labbo, the former National Vice 

President, North West of NULGE 

was unanimously elected 

following a motion moved to that 

effect, seconded and supported by 

all the members at the emergency 

NEC meeting. 

The emergency meeting was 

held in Kano, the home state of 

late Khaleel to honour the former 

NULGE president who was 

popularly called “Mr. Autonomy” 

for his struggle to liberate the local 

government level.

A8 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many 

people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, 

things will go according to your plans. And you will 

need to be more careful with money. 

LEO: THE Moon fluctuates early in the morning. And 

if care is not taken you would promise more than you 

can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, 

you’ll win. 

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of 

avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period 

when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. 

Avoid inordinate ambition. 

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought 

for and/or about the future derail your plans for the 

present so that success will not elude you. Romantic 

attractions along your career/business lines may become 

stronger sooner than you think. 

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many 

people around you meaning that not everybody-morning 

period especially along your career/business lines. 

L E I S U R BE 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

Friendship with one’s self is all important, 

because without it one can not be friends 

with anyone else in the world. — Eleanor 

Roosevelt. 

We often focus on building relationships with 

others that we forget the essential first step: being 

friends of ourselves.That is crucial to having good 

relationships with others. — Ella Randle. 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

Patience is 

the key 

which 

solves all 

problems. 

~ Sudanese 

proverb 

By Kola Fayemi 

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand 

what you are doing within your working arena before 

mid-morning period or else costly mistakes would be 

made. Be tolerant. 

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore 

you are advised to leave some important decisions and/ 

or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at 

you. Your love life is favoured. 

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging. 

Thus, if there are things you should do now, you 

better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are 

likely to be stretched full lenght tomorrow. Watch with 

you tell others early in the morning. 

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning 

some people may promise more than they can actually 

deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be 

disappointed. 

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your 

nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of 

the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to 

gamble with love. 

TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of 

your star . That is why you will need to guard against 

confusion likely to be caused by others. 

GEMINI: THE Moon position INFLUECES YOU 

TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing 

unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To 

before warned is to be fore armed. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” 

“HOT” 

By A.O.OLAIDE 

ASTROLOGICAL our date e and place of COUNSELLING 

birth th to the Astr 

tr 

Send your dat 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, 7, Apapa, Lagos 

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES? 

Dear Joshua, 

KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially 

my luck. I want to know about my love life, social life and 

how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are 

close to me became big success without much struggle from 

them. Would my own be like them too? 

Ibikunle, Ibadan. 

VIRGINIA 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

Dear Ibikunle, 

You are different to those you said came by success: in your own 

case you will need to work hard and earn success. It is important 

you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold 

on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use 

to come your way at 11th hour. 

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially 

WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture 

is not the best for you. Your magnetic personality makes it 

difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of 

your love life. 

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/rigid 

personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although 

can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for 

you. 

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, 

you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s 

attendant pressure. 

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when 

dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical 

approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be 

in position to assist you. Many people love your gentle approach 

and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential 

personalities. Once again women can be helpful here 

If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because 

Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after 

much struggles, was with the sun (basic-self-hood) when you were 

born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will 

not deny you whatever you deserve. 

The same Saturn will reward you with RECOGNITION 

WOMEN, children and younger people can enhance your prospects. 

Colours RED, WHITE and pink are good for you. Sleeping 

North/South axes with your head to the North is good for you. 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa


#ENDSARS: The women in frontlines 

BETWEEN Kiki 

Osinbajo- self 

acclaimed beauty 

guru, entrepreneur and 

lawyer- and 

Zahra Buhari-Indimi, are 

no fewer than half a million 

instagram followers. 

Not surprisingly, this 

formidable audience was 

what the first and second 

children deployed in their 

support for the ongoing 

demonstrations against 

operatives of the earstwhile 

Special Anti-robbery Squad, 

SARS, in many parts of 

Southern Nigeria as well as 

the Federal Capital Territory, 

FCT. As they joined voices 

with their contemporaries, it 

took another week before 

their respective fathers, the 

vice president and the 

president respectively, 

articulated a clear reaction to 

the demands on the 

demonstrators, as 

encapsulated in the 

#ENDSARS. 

The Special Anti-Robbery 

Squad first became popular in 

combating robbery in Nigeria 

around 2006, and it worked 

at the time. Nigerians of 

another generation- mainly 

the baby-boomers and 

generationX- hailed the no 

nonsense approach of the 

squad to robbery suspects, at 

a time when robbery and 

murder was the order of the 

day in most parts of the 

country. 

But as the general state of 

security improved, SARS 

may have- with a view to 

redefining itself in the face of 

the loss in relevance- began 

an equally brutal and corrupt 

regime of extortion, graft and 

barbarism, particularly 

targeted at young persons in 

the country. 

His Imperial Majesty the 

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan 

Adeyeye Ogunwusi, a 

favourite with the youth took 

to his Twitter account 

Monday to declare: " The 

#ENDSARS movement has 

brought nothing but joy to 

me. Finally, the youths are 

awake with one voice and a 

common goal. 

As is usually the case, young 

persons, commonly known as 

youths have traditionally led 

r e v o l u t i o n a r y 

demonstrations in different 

Toyin Abraham 

Protesters demanding their rights from government 

Zahra Buhari-Indimi 

parts of the world, and the Aba 

Women Riots of 1929 and the 

Egba Women Riots in 1947 

were the exceptions in terms 

of the mass participation of 

women in the history of street 

demonstrations in Nigeria. 

While the SAP Riots of 1989 

and June 12 Riots of 1993 

featured a few brave Nigerian 

women, their participation as 

a social group in 

demonstrations in modern 

Nigeria has been insignificant. 

The #ENDSARS campaign 

led by the #sorosoke 

generation is set to change that 

completely. Beautiful Zahra 

and Kiki were by no means the 

only young women to 

demonstrate, with a sleuth of 

Tiwa Savage 

them almost glamourising the 

demonstrations in Lagos, 

Abuja and Ibadan, mostly in 

trendy clothing and 

accessories, drawing young 

men into the streets that 

might not have wanted to join 

the demonstrations. 

The women of the 

entertainment industry were 

very well represented, 

featuring songstresses Tiwa 

Savage and Dija; and with 

Toke Makinwa turning up in 

designer clothing- for which 

she was severely criticized. 

Female comedian, Princess, 

continues to hold forte at the 

Lekki tollgate. 

Nollywood’s Yoruba 

sweetheart, Toyin Abraham 

took care of things in the Oyo 

State capital, where an 

unprecedented number of 

youths turned out. 

Perhaps the heroine of the 

era emerging out of the 

conflict is human rights 

activist and politician Aishat 

Yesufu, who became the icon 

Kiki Osinbajo 

for the movement when she 

turned up in the streets with 

an hijab and trainers. Her 

partner in various social 

movements, Yemi 

Adamolekun, Executive 

Director, Enough is Enough 

movement has reeled out 

tweet after tweet after tweet. 

Aishat Yesufu 

#ENDSARS: NASS female legislators throw 

weight behind protesters 

A 

legislators BUJA-FEMALE 

under 

the auspices of 

Association of National 

Assembly Female Legislators, 

NFL, have thrown weight 

behind #EndSARS protesters 

against all forms of police 

brutality. 

Their support was made 

known in a statement signed 

by the National Secretary and 

Administrator, NLF, Hon 

Janet Adeyemi, where the 

former and serving female 

lawmakers condemned brutal 

acts perpetrated by the 

defunct F-SARS. 

According to the statement 

the association will ensure 

restoration of peace and 

emergence of a new Nigeria 

that will better lives of all 

Nigerians irrespective of their 

backgrounds. 

The statement read in part, 

“The Association of National 

Assembly Female Legislators 

condemns outrightly the 

brutal acts of the Special Anti- 

Robbery Squad of the 

Nigerian Police force, SARS. 

“We appeal to the teaming 

youths that as concerned 

mothers, we identify with 

their struggles and feel their 

pains. 

“We assure you that as 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

bridge builders, we shall take 

every necessary steps for 

total restoration of peace for 

the emergence of a new 

N i g e r i a w h e r e 

equity and justice reigns.” 

Meanwhile, the association 

also expressed optimism 

that the struggle will lead to 

a new Nigeria, where hopes 

and aspirations of young 

people will be met. 

It also added that young 

people should believe in the 

Nigerian project as they have 

Oluremi 

Tinubu 

Continues on page 21 

taken their destiny in their 

hand with the ongoing 

protests for a better living of 

Nigerian youths who have 

been suffering gross neglect 

over decades, “We sincerely 

hope that this struggle will 

birth a detribalised new 

Nigeria.” 

However, the statement 

called on genuine protesters 

to be wary of infiltrators who 

have taken advantage of the 

protests to unleash mayhem 

resulting to deaths and 

destruction. 

“We sincerely appeal to 

them to avoid the incursion 

of thugs who are capable of 

derailing their mission and 

the attainment of their 

objectives”, it added. 

Janet Adeyemi


THE widely acclaimed #EndSARS 

protests, led by Nigerian youths, 

shocked the country, and caught the 

world’s attention. The protests were 

triggered by a viral video allegedly 

showing an officer of the notorious 

Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, 

killing a man in Delta State. 

The #EndSARS demonstrations 

mirrored the #BlackLivesMatter protests, 

which also started when a viral video 

showed a police officer brutally killing 

George Floyd in Minneapolis in the US. 

The two events shifted the world’s focus 

to police brutality in both countries. 

But there is a fundamental difference 

between police brutality in America and 

in Nigeria. In the US, police brutality 

usually stems from the behaviour of 

rogue officers, who are either racist or 

deranged. But the law is always there to 

take its full course! However, in Nigeria, 

police brutality is an inherent part of an 

oppressive state structure. 

Thomas Jefferson, the third US 

President, famously said: “The care of 

human life and happiness, and not their 

destruction, is the first and only object of 

good government.” But Nigeria is an 

exemption to this golden rule! 

In its 2019 report, Human Rights Watch 

listed “torture, forced disappearances, 

assassinations and extrajudicial 

summary executions” among human 

rights violations in Nigeria and added: 

“These abuses typically occur within the 

context of the Nigerian government’s 

security operations.” Nigerians are not 

only dying from organised non-state 

violence, such as terrorism, they are also 

dying from state-enabled violence! 

But why? Well, structures matter. 

Nigeria’s current governance structure 

empowers elected Nigerian politicians 

and enable them to act as masters, not 

servants, of the people. For instance, the 

Beyond #EndSARS: End the systemic 

inhumanity of the Nigerian state 

structure is such that a president can, as 

President Muhammadu Buhari does, 

behave like an absolute monarch, 

controlling all key levers of power and 

yet hole up in Abuja, completely removed 

from the people. Furthermore, the 

structure allows state institutions and 

officials, including security operatives, to 

abuse their powers with utter impunity 

without being held accountable for their 

actions. 

In a democracy, public officers must be 

sensitive to, and prioritise, the needs of 

the people and act in the best interests 

of society or face consequences. But in 

Nigeria, public officers are arrogant, 

unresponsive and unaccountable. Truth 

is, the Nigeria state is too powerful, too 

dominant and too domineering to 

produce the Jeffersonian “good 

government.” 

I mean, where are the checks on 

presidential power in Nigeria? The 

Presidency is unconstrained. President 

Buhari can ignore court orders if he 

wishes, he can side-line the legislators, 

who are already his poodles, and he can 

direct any state institution, however 

supposedly independent, to do his 

bidding. So, the Nigerian state is a 

Leviathan, except that, unlike Thomas 

Hobbes’s Leviathan, the Nigerian 

Leviathan cannot protect the lives and 

property of its citizens. 

But does Nigeria need a Leviathan 

state? Of course, not! David Hume, the 

famous Scottish Enlightenment 

Where are the checks 

on presidential power 

in Nigeria? The 

Presidency is 

unconstrained. 

President Buhari can 

ignore court orders 

if he wishes, he can 

side-line the legislators, 

who are already 

his poodles 

philosopher, pointed out that the more 

powerful and overbearing a state is, the 

less prosperous and happy its citizens 

will be. Indeed, scholars have found that 

decentralised state, in which significant 

power is devolved to sub-national units, 

generates more prosperity and 

happiness than centralised one in which 

power is concentrated overwhelmingly 

in central government, in the hands of 

an all-powerful president. 

Of course, such centralisation of power 

always leads to oppressive governments 

because those at the centre – president, 

institutions and officials – always have 

idiosyncratic views of patriotism – they 

think they are more patriotic than the 

rest of us – and will justify the repression 

of ‘enemies of the state’. It was precisely 

to check against such governmental 

tyranny that the framers of the American 

Constitution introduced the Second 

Amendment to allow US citizens to bear 

arms. Nigeria’s Constitution doesn’t 

permit that, thankfully! 

Which brings me back to the 

#EndSARS protests. The Constitution 

may not allow Nigerians to carry guns to 

check against state oppression, it allows 

peaceful protests. Over the past two 

weeks, Nigerian youth have, 

unprecedently, used that power of 

peaceful protest and civil disobedience 

decisively to vent their anger over police 

brutality. Kudos to them! 

But here’s where I diverge. The 

protesters’ demands for police reform, 

disbandment of SARS, higher salaries 

for police officers and judicial inquiries – 

all miss the point! For the reasons I gave 

above, Nigeria’s problems are deeply 

systemic and structural, and police 

brutality is just a symptom of the 

underlying malfunction. Thus, 

police reform without a radical 

overhaul of how Nigeria is run, 

without political restructuring, is like 

putting a band-aid on a bullet 

wound! The system is so broken, a 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

sticking-plaster approach won’t fix it! 

Okay, SARS was disbanded. But the 

government immediately replaced it with 

Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, 

which many see as a mere rebranding of 

SARS. The same government sent 

armed police to disperse the protesters, 

allegedly killing some people, and is 

launching “Operation Crocodile Smile”, 

a military clampdown on agitations. 

Ridiculously, the National Economic 

Council asked all state governors to 

establish a judicial inquiry into SARS 

abuses. But what happened to all the 

previous ones? As Human Rights Watch 

has pointed out, “neither the report of 

the Presidential Judicial Panel set up in 

2017 to investigate the military’s alleged 

war crimes nor that of the Presidential 

Panel of Inquiry set up in 2018 to 

investigate SARS abuses has been made 

public.” 

The UN Special Rapporteur for 

Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary 

Executions, Agnes Callamard, said after 

visiting Nigeria in Sept 2019, that the 

absence of “accountability functionality” 

in Nigeria drives human rights violations 

in the country. In 2019, the Office of the 

Prosecutor of the International Criminal 

Court, ICC, started preliminary 

investigations on Nigeria, a serious 

international embarrassment, given that 

a Nigerian, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, is 

the current president of the ICC. 

Truth is, there are deep-rooted 

systemic and structural impediments to 

good governance in Nigeria. So, yes, 

#EndSARS, #EndSWAT even. But 

without a systemic, root-and-branch 

transformation, without restructuring, 

Nigeria’s over-centralised, over-powerful 

state structure will remain oppressive, 

perpetrating, condoning and covering up 

unforgivable inhumanities. Ending that 

must be the mother of all #Ends! 

SOMETHING 

is 

seemingly romantic about the 

date. It is so seducing that you can hardly 

forget it – 20-10-2020 – a Tuesday. Yet, it 

was a black Tuesday. A day of death! 

That was the day Nigeria finally 

descended into the cesspit of chaos and 

infamy. That was the day Nigerian 

soldiers shot and killed scores of fellow 

countrymen whose only crime was the 

audacity to demand for the “change” 

their leaders promised them more than 

five years ago when they were on the 

hustings seeking their votes. They were 

massacred because they had the temerity 

to ask for good governance. 

They were unarmed, massed at the 

Lekki toll gate that had been their 

sanctuary in the last 13 days since the 

#EndSARS protest erupted like wildfire 

all over the country. They were seated, 

some holding the Nigerian flag and 

chorusing the National Anthem when 

the soldiers came like the proverbial thief 

in the night. 

The attack was premeditated, which 

makes it not only worse but 

unconscionable. Before the soldiers 

released volleys of bullets that sent the 

youths who begged for their lives, raising 

the Nigerian flag as a white handkerchief 

of surrender, a dovish overture for peace, 

to their early graves, the Close Circuit 

Television (CCTV) cameras at the toll 

gate were disabled and the lights 

switched off. 

When the shootings quietened and 

the army disappeared leaving in their 

wake blood, sorrow and tears, the most 

tell-tale evidence of the tragedy was the 

bloodstained Nigerian flag, pictures of 

which adorned the front pages of some 

newspapers on Wednesday. 

Had the shootings taken place in 

Mushin, Iganmu and such other 

hotspots where rioters held sway, it 

wouldn’t still have made it right but it 

could be explained. But the fact that 

these killings took place at the very place 

where Nigerian youths have admirably 

demonstrated their capacity for civilized 

conduct raises more poignantly the 

question of motive. What was the goal? 

To strike fear into the people? If it is, that 

strategy has backfired spectacularly. 

Now, Lagos is on fire, literally, just 

Lekki toll gate massacre and limits of tyranny 

because of the moronic use of 

overwhelming force and live ammunition 

on unarmed civilians by soldiers. The 

youths may have left the toll gate but 

they are now everywhere. The situation 

has become more fluid and dangerous. 

Buildings are going up in flames and the 

godfathers have gone into hiding. 

That is what happens when a country 

has rulers that have more brawn than 

brain. 

The chaos took long in coming, 

though, but if there is any surprise at all, 

it is the fact that some people seem to be 

surprised at the tragic turn of events in 

Nigeria. Any discerning person would 

have known yesterday that a day like 

today will come. It was only a matter of 

time. Now, the chickens have come home 

to roost. 

Whatever happens after the Lekki toll 

gate massacre, Nigeria will not be the 

same again. The Lagos mayhem is 

impunity taken too far. But that is what 

happens when those in power convince 

themselves that they have completely 

conquered and dominated their 

environment. 

Last week, I wrote about President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s “in-your-face 

attitude” when he nominated his Special 

Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta 

Onochie, an unapologetic card-carrying 

member of the All Progressives Congress 

(APC), overtly partisan, as a member of 

the Independent National Electoral 

Commission (INEC) against all extant 

laws of the land. Not even the national 

outcry has convinced the president to 

withdraw the nomination. Instead, his 

political party, the APC, that has enabled 

him in all his impunity tried to wheedle 

politically unwary Nigerians by resorting 

to false moral equivalency. They accused 

the opposition Peoples Democratic Party 

(PDP) of doing the same when they were 

in power. They claimed that the INEC 

Resident Electoral Commissioner in 

Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, and Festus 

Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, 

were supporters of PDP when they 

became INEC staff. 

Whatever happens 

after the Lekki toll 

gate massacre, 

Nigeria will not be the 

same again. The 

Lagos mayhem is 

impunity taken too far. 

But that is what 

happens when those 

in power convince 

themselves that they 

have completely 

conquered and 

dominated their 

environment. 

Assuming, without conceding that 

they were PDP partisans, there is no 

evidence, unlike in Ms. Onochie’s 

case that they were registered and 

card-carrying members of the 

opposition party. If anything, both Igini 

and Okoye were human rights 

activists who were more anti-PDP 

before their appointments. In any 

case, didn’t the APC government 

promise Nigerians “change” in 2015? 

But for a leader who has convinced 

himself that he has conquered his 

country, turning it into his personal 

fiefdom, such considerations are 

beneath him. It is for lesser mortals. 

That is the same mentality that led 

to the Lagos tragedy. To any sane 

person, the decision to send soldiers 

to confront unarmed protesters with 

lethal weapons with the intention to 

kill is idiotic. 

But why wouldn’t the government 

dare Nigerians one more time? On 

Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 

least 348 Shiite Moslems, mostly 

members of the Islamic Movement 

in Nigeria, were brutally murdered 

by Nigerian soldiers in Zaria, 

Kaduna State, on trumped up 

allegation that they were plotting 

to assassinate the Chief of Army 

Staff, General Tukur Buratai. They 

were buried in mass graves and till 

date, the leader of the group, 

Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, 

who were arrested on December 14, 

2015, are still in prison answering 

to charges of criminal conspiracy and 

culpable homicide punishable with 

death. 

Scores of members of the 

Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) 

have been extra-judicially 

murdered. Nothing happened. So, 

why would they not try their luck 

with the Lagos protesters if only to 

make the point that the domination 

of the country is total and no section is 

exempted? 

The question is: Who sent the military 

to the Lekki toll gate on black Tuesday? 

As usual, Buhari is not talking. But as 

Teflon as he may be, he cannot wriggle 

out of this. He is the President and 

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed 

Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Issues of security are in the Exclusive 

List and the Service Chiefs are 

answerable to him. He must tell 

Nigerians what happened to their young 

ones on Tuesday night. 

I have heard some question the 

rationale behind the agitation of 

Nigerian youths. Why will they not go 

home having made their point, some 

have queried. Were they not inviting the 

calamity that befell them when they 

refused to scamper to safety when Buratai 

threatened another “Operation 

Crocodile Smile?” 

Such people pontificate that 

government is too powerful an institution 

that nobody can ever win in any tussle. 

That is not true. It was never true 

yesterday. It is not true today. And 

it will not be true tomorrow. Instead, 

history teaches us the exact 

opposite as aptly stated by Frederick 

Douglass, an American social 

reformer and statesman. 

“If there is no struggle, there is no 

progress,” wrote Douglass, who after 

escaping from slavery in Maryland 

became a national leader of the 

abolitionist movement in Massachusetts 

and New York. 

“Those who profess to favour 

freedom, and yet deprecate 

agitation, are men who want crops 

without plowing up the ground. They 

want rain without thunder and lightning. 

They want the ocean without the roar of 

its many waters …. Power concedes 

nothing without a demand. It never did 

and it never will. Find out just what any 

people will quietly submit to and you 

have found out the exact measure of 

injustice and wrong which will be 

imposed upon them; and these will 

continue till they are resisted with either 

words or blows, or with both. The limits 

of tyrants are prescribed by the 

endurance of those whom they oppress,” 

Douglass, who became famous for his 

incisive antislavery writings, concluded. 

The Lekki toll gate massacre may 

well be the beginning of the end of 

impunity in Nigeria. A new Nigeria 

may well be on the horizon because 

Buhari cannot be stronger than the 

collective will of Nigerians.


16— Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020


By Marie-Therese 

Nanlong 

JOS — GOVERNOR 

Simon Lalong of Plateau 

State, has directed 

traditional rulers, community 

and religious leaders 

in the state to take lawful 

measures to halt all forms 

of actions that could lead 

to a breakdoww of law 

and breach public peace 

in their domains. 

Lalong tasked the stakeholders 

at an interface he 

had with them at the Government 

House, Jos yesterday 

in the wake of the 

breakdown of law and order 

Tuesday and subsequent 

imposition of a 24- 

hour curfew in Jos North 

and Jos South local government 

areas of the 

State. 

According to him: “It 

has become necessary to 

invite you here for this 

strategic engagement 

over recent developments 

in our State and the country 

at large owing to what 


Lalong meets with stakeholders 

to halt violence 

Benue sets up panel on Police 

brutality, rights abuses 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

GOVERNOR 

Samuel Ortom of Benue 

State has inaugurated an 

eight-member Judicial 

Panel of Inquiry to probe 

human rights violations by 

the Police, especially the 

operatives of the disbanded 

Special Anti-Robbery 

Squad, SARS, in the state. 

The Governor while 

performing the ceremony, 

yesterday in Makurdi, said 

the state would also soon 

set up the Special Security 

and Human Rights 

Committee to monitor 

activities of the Special or 

Tactical units to be 

established by the Nigeria 

Police Force. 

He explained that the 

inauguration of the probe 

panel which has six weeks 

to complete it assignment, 

was in compliance with the 

resolutions of the recent 

108th meeting of National 

is widely known as the 

ENDSARS protests. You 

will recall that I declared 

a 24 hour curfew in Jos 

South and Jos North Local 

Government Areas, 

yesterday (Tuesday), because 

the #ENDSARS 

protest, which began 

peacefully was gradually 

degenerating into chaos 

as hoodlums attacked and 

molested innocent citizens 

who were going 

about their normal businesses. 

“This development took 

a new turn yesterday 

(Tuesday) when the protests 

led to the destruction 

of properties, cars and 

looting of business premises 

along the Ahmadu 

Bello way as well as the 

burning of a place of worship 

along Gyero Road in 

Bukuru. In addition, 

three deaths were recorded. 

As a result of this, I 

summoned an emergency 

Security Council Meeting 

to evaluate the situation 

and take decisive actions 

to stop further escalation." 

Economic Council. 

He said “the resolution 

was one of the measures 

taken to address complaints 

raised by the END SARS 

Protests across the country. 

The protests have 

challenged all leaders to 

rise and demonstrate 

sincerity and commitment 

in tackling the nation’s 

challenges. 

“The protests have 

therefore provided us 

leaders with the 

opportunity to correct 

decades of illegalities and 

injustices meted on the 

people. It is against this 

background that we are 

today carrying out this very 

important state function of 

inaugurating the Judicial 

Panel of Inquiry,” he stated. 

Responding Chairman of 

the panel Retired Justice 

Adam Onum on behalf of other 

members acknowledged that the 

task before the panel was 

enormous and pledge fair hearing 

to all parties. 

Rapists, kidnappers to die by 

hanging in Nasarawa —Sule 

By David Odama 

L AFIA—GOVERNOR 

Abdullahi Sule of 

Nasarawa State, yesterday, 

said, henceforth, convicted 

rapists and kidnappers 

would get death sentence. 

The governor stated this 

at the flag off awareness 

campaign, sensitisation on 

increasing cases of rape 

and kidnapping in Lafia, 

the Nasarawa State capital. 

Sule said considering the 

dimension activities of 

kidnappers, rapist had 

taken in the state, 

government had no option 

than invocate death 

sentences on the culprits. 

“We will implement the 

law against rape, 

kidnapping in Nasarawa. 

I will like to send this 

warning that Nasarawa 

state government will not 

condone criminality of any 

kind in the state”, the 

governor declared. 

On the ongoing 

#EndSARS protest across 

the country, the governor 

warned that trouble makers 

would be unacceptable 

adding that only genuine 

protest is only what the 

state will accommodate. 

Earlier, Commissioner of 

Police, Bola Emmanuel 

Longe, had disclosed that 

40 rape cases were 

recorded while 30 persons 

had been arrested in the last 

six months in the state. 


AGM—From left: Vice President, Igbobi College Old Boys Association, ICOBA, Femi Olubanwo; 

Chairman, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Bode Thorpe; member, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Amb. 

Aderemi Esan; Chairman, Board of Governors, Igbobi College, Sir Kehinde Smith; Past President, 

ICOBA, Foluso Phillips, and President, ICOBA, Olumuyiwa Kinoshi (sitting), during the Annual 

General Meeting of the association, held in Lagos. 

Lekki Attack: NLC demands judicial probe 

....Condemns cold blooded murder of peaceful protesters 

By Victor Ahiuma- 

Young & Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ALabour BUJA—NIGERIA 

Congress, 

NLC, yesterday, 

demanded for call a highpowered 

Judicial Panel of 

inquiry into the Lekki Toll 

Gate shooting of unarmed 

protesters in Lagos and 

other violence, arson, jail 

break among others that 

had engulfed on-going 

#EndSARS protest across 

the country. 

In a statement by NLC’s 

President and Secretary 

General, Ayuba Wabba, and 

Emma Ugboaja, 

respectively, among others, 

said “The demands of the 

protesters have since 

snowballed into other 

demands including the call 

for improvement in the 

quality of governance and 

the guarantee of democratic 

rights for all citizens. These 

are enduring values 

espoused by the Nigeria 

Labour Congress. 

“We reiterate that the right 

to peaceful assembly is 

guaranteed by Section 40 

of Nigeria’s Constitution, 

the United Nations 

Universal Declarations on 

Human Rights, the African 

Union Charter on Human 

and Peoples Rights and 

other relevant international 

conventions. The use of live 

bullets to suppress, harm 

and kill peaceful protesters 

is a high crime against the 

people of Nigeria and must 

be roundly condemned by 

all patriots and lovers of 

democracy. 

“While government has a 

responsibility to promote 

law and order and curtail 

violence, it should be done 

within the context of global 

best practices on protest 

management and in line 

with international 

conventions on the 

protection of human rights 

and dignity. 

“We mourn the death of 

innocent young Nigerians 

who were brutally 

assassinated by agents of 

the state. We commiserate 

with the families of these 

young martyrs and the 

entire nation. We 

condemn this coldblooded 

murder of our young ones 

and the use of highhanded 

tactics on unarmed 

protesters in flagrant 

violation of every known 

convention and protocol on 

#EndSARS: We must not treat the 

agitations of our youths with levity 

—Ortom 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

GOVERNOR 

Samuel Ortom of Benue 

State has cautioned that the 

ongoing agitation by the 

youths of the country 

should not be treated with 

levity. 

The Governor who spoke 

yesterday when he hosted 

a delegation of the Senate 

Committee on Air Force led 

by its Chairman, Senator 

Bala Na’ala said the 

ongoing protest was a big 

challenge confronting the 

leadership of the country. 

He urged all leaders 

irrespective of party 

affiliation to genuinely 

come together to have the 

the management of 

protests. 

“While we commend the 

maturity and focus 

displayed by our young 

people in conducting 

themselves in a peaceful 

manner during the 

protests, we condemn the 

infiltration of criminal 

elements into the current 

struggle. 

issues raised by the 

aggrieved youths 

addressed without further 

delay. 

“These protests must not 

be treated with levity, we as 

leaders irrespective of party 

affiliation must come out 

and take measures and 

steps that will give our 

youths the confidence that 

we are genuinely 

determined to address the 

issues agitating their 

minds. We must therefore 

work together to have a 

country where justice, 

equity and equity reigns. 

A country that is free of 

nepotism and impunity 

must be a task we should 

achieve,” the Governor 

said. 

While commending the 

committee for visiting the 

“Acts of arson on public 

and private properties and 

the reported storming and 

jail break in the Benin 

Correctional Facility is 

condemnable and should 

never be tolerated. Yet, it is 

difficult to convince Nigerians 

that these acts were carried out 

by the peaceful protesters. We call 

for a high-powered Judicial Panel 

of Inquiry into this. 

state despite the ongoing 

End SARS protests rocking 

the country, Governor 

Ortom assured of the 

continued cordiality with 

the Nigeria Air force base 

and Tactical Air Command 

located in the state capital 

which he said had been 

very cordial over the years. 

Earlier, leader of the 

delegation and Chairman 

of the committee, Senator 

Na’ala who said the 

committee was in the state 

as part of its oversight 

function commended 

Governor Ortom for providing 

the leadership that had 

ensured peace in the state 

and urged the people to 

continue to rally round the 

Governor and his administration 

in the onerous task of governing 

the state. 

....Ganduje inaugurates 17-man c’ttee 

on peace 

By Bashir Bello 

KAbdullahi 

ANO—GOVERNOR 

Umar 

Ganduje of Kano State , 

yesterday inaugurated a 

17-man Peace Committee 

to convene ethnic 

community meeting with a 

view to promoting peaceful 

co-existence. 

Ganduje stated this in a 

statement by the state’s 

Commissioner for 

Information, Muhammad 

Garba, in the face of the 

ongoing #EndSARS 

protests that was hijacked 

by hoodlums with the aim 

to cause mayhem in the 

state. 

The Governor while 

addressing members of 

the committee at the 

Government House, Kano, 

also tasked them to work on 

appropriate peace-building 

mechanism for the 

sustainability of various 

peace efforts by the 

government and security 

agencies. 

Ganduje, who described 

the increasing violence as 

most unfortunate, urged 

the committee members to 

educate youth in their 

midst on the importance of 

peace and been law 

abiding. 

The governor said his 

administration had 

instituted various measures 

to safeguard life and 

property of people in the 

state. 

The committee, which will be 

co-chaired by Igwe Boniface 

Ibekwe and Rev. Adeyemi 

Samuel, has representation from 

the Christian Association of 

Nigeria, various christian 

denominations, christian youth 

groups, representatives of ethnic 

nationalities and that of traders. 

Similar meeting was held with 

Imams, the Ulamas and members 

of the business community.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020



:Vanguard 

News 

Nigeria: Killing of #EndSARS protesters 

must be investigated —Amnesty Int'l 

LAGOS—AN on-theground 

investigation 

by Amnesty International 

has confirmed that the Nigerian 

Army and Police 

killed at least 12 peaceful 

protesters, yesterday, at 

two locations in Lagos. 

•The killings took place 

in Lekki and Alausa, 

where thousands were 

protesting police brutality 

as part of the #End- 

SARS movement. 

According to Amnesty 

International, evidence 

gathered from eyewitnesses, 

video footage and hospital 

reports confirmed 

that between 6:45pm and 

9:00pm on Tuesday, October 

20, the Nigerian military 

opened fire on thousands 

of people who were 

peacefully calling for 

good governance and an 

end to police brutality. 

The group said in a 

statement signed by Osai 

Ojigho yesterday: ‘’Witnesses 

at the Lekki protest 

grounds told Amnesty 

International that solders 

arrived at about 

6:45pm local time on 

Tuesday evening, and 

opened fire on #End- 

SARSprotesters without 

warning. 

‘’Eyewitnesses at 

Alausa protest ground 

said they were attacked by 


AWARDS—From left: Wife of CEO, Marketing Edge, Mrs. Modupe Ajayi; Outstanding Marketing Personality of 

the Year, Emmanuel Agu, and Brand Personality of the Year/CEO, X3M ldeas, Steve Babaeko, during Marketing 

Edge Summit & Awards 2020, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor. 

EU, Sweden condemn killing of 

#EndSARS protesters by soldiers 

By Victoria Ojeme 

A BUJA—THE 

European Union and 

the Swedish Embassy in 

Nigeria, have condemned 

Tuesday's killings of unarmed 

protesters by soldiers at a toll gate 

in Lekki area of Lagos state. 

It will be recalled that 

thousands of Nigerian youths 

have been taking part in 

demonstrations across the 

country for nearly two weeks, 

calling for an end to the 


SARS, which is accused of 

extortion, harassment, torture 

and murders. 

According to a statement by 

the High Representative/Vice- 

President of the EU, Josep 

Borrell: "It is alarming to learn 

that several people have been 

killed and injured during the 

ongoing protests against the 

Special Anti-Robbery Squad 

in Nigeria. 

"It is crucial that those 

responsible for abuses be 

brought to justice and held 

accountable. Following the 

government’s will to deliver 

on reforms, we expect to see 

decisive implementation." 

Also, in a tweet, the Swedish 

Embassy in Nigeria said "It is 

with great concern that we 

receive the information 

showing the use of 

disproportionate force by 

security forces at the 

#LekkiTollgate in Lagos, on 

Tuesday, seemingly resulting 

in deaths of some #EndSARS 

protesters." 

"#SwedenInNigeria 

Emphasizing the respect for 

#HumanRights and peaceful 

demonstrations, we urge 

security forces to exercise 

restraint and ask Nigerian 

authorities (@NigeriaGov) to 

urgently investigate the 

incident," the embassy said in 

a tweet. 

•Says at least 12 people killed at 

Alausa, Lekki Toll Gate, in Lagos 

•Hundreds severely injured 

•CCTV dismantled to cover-up murder 

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,” said Osai 

Ojigho, Country Director 

of Amnesty International 

Nigeria. 

‘’Amnesty International 

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 

The Nation under attack 

LAGOS — Armed men on 

motorcycles yesterday 

invaded the headquarters of 

The Nation on Fatai Atere 

Way, Matori, Lagos. 

In a statement yesterday, the 

Editor of the Newspaper, Mr. 

Adeniyi Adesina, said the 

gunmen in a commandolike 

manner, kicked their way 

into the premises after scaring 

away security men on duty, 

brandishing their sophisticated 

guns. 

The statement read: ''They 

poured petrol on the frontage 

of the building and set fire to 

it. Some of the vehicles parked 

within the premises were set 

ablaze, others vandalised. 

Many boys came thereafter 

and swooped on the office, 

looting everything they could 

lay their hands on. 

''These include desktop 

computers, laptops, air conditioners 

and other office 

equipment. At the time of the 

attack, Managing Director 

and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Victor 

Ifijeh, was among those 

trapped within the office while 

the fire raged on. 

''They were evacuated when 

men of Operation Mesa security 

outfit arrived. Their 

arrival ended the free rein of 

the invaders. 

''It was obviously a targeted 

attack on the free press. The 

Nation had been listed on 

Twitter and other social media 

platforms by sympathisers 

of the ongoing destructive 

activities, as a target of attack. 

''The Nation has robustly 

reported the protests fairly, 

giving voice to the agitation 

of youths for a better Nigeria. 

The management is at a loss 

as to why the company should 

be a target of such unwarranted 

attack.'' 

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,” 

said Osai Ojigho. 

Ojigho said Amnesty 

International had been 

monitoring developments 

across Nigeria since the 

#EndSARS protest began 

on October 8, 2020, adding 

that at least 56 people 

had died across the 

country since the protest 

began, with about 38 

killed on Tuesday alone. 

She said victims included 

protesters and thugs 

who were allegedly hired 

by the authorities to confront 

the protesters. 

‘’In many cases the security 

forces had used excessive 

force in an attempt 

to control or stop the protests,’’ 

Ojigho said. 

Editors condemns killing of 

#EndSARS protesters by 

security agents at Lekki 

ABUJA—THE Nigerian 

Guild of Editors, NGE, 

yesterday, condemned in 

very strong terms the unwarranted 

shooting and killing 

of unarmed protesters in different 

parts of the country by 

security men. 

The Guild, in a statement 

signed by the President, 

Mustapha Isah, and General 

Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, 

also demanded that President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

address the nation to calm 

frayed nerves. 

The statement read: ‘’A 

leader shouldn’t any problem 

talking to the citizens. 

There is nothing wrong in 

actively engaging in dialogue 

with the aggrieved 

youths. 

‘’The Guild sympathises 

with victims of the shootings 

and their families and calls 

for full scale investigation of 

the Tuesday mayhem across 

the nation, especially the 

killing and injuries inflicted 

on protesters at the Lekki, 

Lagos Toll Plaza where security 

personnel shot and 

killed some protesters before 

the commencement of 

curfew at 9pm. 

‘’The Guild notes that there 

was no need whatsoever for 

security personnel to use live 

bullets and therefore demands 

that those found culpable 

should be brought to 

justice. The NGE is worried 

over the dramatic turn the 

#EndSARS peaceful protests 

have taken. 

‘’The body of editors notes 

the declaration of curfew by 

some state governments following 

the apparent hijack 

of the peaceful #EndSARS 

protests by hoodlums. The 

Guild commends the efforts 

of these governors to separate 

the wheat from the 

chaff." 

Lekki killings: Reps minority caucus demands 

arrest, prosecution of security agents 

By Tordue Salem 

ABUJA—THE Minority 

caucus in the House of 

Representatives has called on 


to order the arrest and 

prosecution of suspected security 

operatives that shot and 

killed #EndSARS protesters 

at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos 

State on Tuesday. 

The lawmakers, in a statement 

signed by the Minority 

Leader of the House of Representatives, 

Ndudi Elumelu, 

yesterday, said: “Such wicked 

act of extra-judicial killing 

of defenseless citizens, by 

suspected agents of the state, 

Why we turned off Lekki Toll 

Gate billboard —Tinubu's son 

LAGOS—THE manage 

ment of Loatsad Promomedia 

Limited has said it 

turned off the billboard at the 

Lekki toll gate based on the 

state governor’s curfew request. 

The advert company is 

owned by Seyi Tinubu, one of 

the sons of All Progressives 

Congress, APC, chieftain, 

Bola Tinubu. 

Eyewitnesses claimed soldiers 

opened fire on #End- 

SARS protesters after the billboard 

was turned off on Tuesday 

evening, which enraged 

Nigerians. 

But Loatsad Promomedia, 

in a statement on its Insta- 

ABUJA—SPEAKER of the 

House of Representatives, 

Femi Gbajabiamila, said yesterday 

there were casualties from 

the attack on #EndSARS protesters 

at the Lekki tollgate in 

Lagos on Tuesday. 

Soldiers opened fire on protesters 

who converged on the tollgate 

demanding an end to police 

brutality. 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor 

of Lagos, initially claimed no life 

was lost but later admitted the 

death of one person 

who was taken to Reddington 

hospital for treatment. 

However, in a series of tweets 

gram handle, said it had no 

ulterior motive for the action. 

“When the ‘EndSARS and 

‘say no to police brutality’ protests 

started from day one, we 

wholly supported the movement 

and used all our platforms 

to promote the messages 

(I believe the promoters can 

verify this information) as we 

believed in the cause. 

“On Tuesday, when the curfew 

was announced we heeded 

the governor’s warnings 

and didn’t want our staff in 

any danger, hence by 3pm, our 

staff had been ordered to leave 

the site and the board was 

switched off, based on the governor’s 

curfew request. 

There were casualties, Gbaja 

contradicts Sanwo-Olu on 

Lekki shootings 

cannot be justified or condoned 

under any rule or guise 

whatsoever”. 

“As lawmakers and representatives 

of the people, we 

cannot accept this gruesome 

execution of our young ones 

in their own country by security 

operatives. Life is sacred 

and no one has the right to 

terminate the life of another 

just because he has the apparatus 

of state power. 

“Such brazen brutally and 

defilement of right to life, 

which is at the center of the 

on-going protests across the 

nation, underscores the demand 

for an immediate and 

total overhaul of our nation’s 

yesterday, Gbajabiamila said it was 

clear that the gunfire left casualties 

which neded to be investigated. 

“Events in my home state Lagos, 

last night and up until this 

afternoon, have left my heart 

heavy and my spirit disturbed. 

“After sixty years, our democracy 

should have grown beyond 

the point where conflicting visions 

of nationhood result in violence 

on the streets and blood 

on the ground. 

“It is unavoidably and painfully 

clear that there were a number 

of casualties as a result of 

gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate. 

security architecture. 

“We therefore call on President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

immediately order the arrest 

and prosecution of officers involved 

in the Lekki killing as 

well as the withdrawal of soldiers 

from engaging protesters”, 

the lawmakers stated. 

The caucus also stressed its 

call on President Buhari to 

urgently overhaul the Country’s 

security system "through 

extensive reforms and urgent 

replacing of the service chiefs 

with more competent and 

professional hands to assist in 

effectively handling of the security 

challenges confronting 

the nation".

Continues from Page 5 

The suspects, according to 

Adejobi, had given useful 

information that would help 

in the apprehension of other 

fleeing suspects. 

BRT buses, 

terminal, TVC, 

LCC, NPA offices, 

set on fire 

Still in Lagos, the protesters 

set fire on the new Oyingbo 

Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, 

terminus in Lagos, 

destroying hundreds of new 

BRT buses. 

The miscreants, who defied 

the 24-hour curfew imposed 

by the state government, burnt 

down the terminus, recently 

opened at Oyingbo in 

Mainland Local Government 

Area, at about 8.30 a.m. 

A large number of new BRT 

buses yet to be deployed to 

routes but parked in the 

terminus situated behind the 

railway line in Oyingbo, were 

all consumed by the raging 

fire. 

Vanguard gathered that 

armed soldiers were quickly 

drafted from Denton Police 

Station, near the Oyingbo bus 

stop, to prevent attack on the 

station by the hoodlums. 

Some news establishments, 

such as TV Continental in 

Ikosi area of Lagos, and The 

Nation newspaper on Fatai 

Atere Way were attacked. 

Hoodlums invaded the 

premises of the TV station, set 

the building as well as staff 

cars parked there on fire. 

The situation was not 

different at the office of Lagos 

Concession Company, LCC, 

operators of Lekki Toll gate, 

where the hoodlums set both 

office building and cars 

parked in the premises on fire. 

The corporate building of 

Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, 

at Marina was not spared. It 

was set on fire. 

Oba Akiolu’s 

palace attacked, 

staff of office 

taken away 

Also, the palace of HRH 

Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of 

Lagos, was also overtaken by 

protesters who made away 

with his staff of office. The staff 

of office is the symbol of 

authority of the monarch. 

TheCable gathered that the 

hoodlums broke into the 

palace situated on Lagos 

Island, despite the presence of 

soldiers. 

Ola Adegoke, a resident, 

said the protesters attempted 

to burn down the palace but 

the soldiers succeeded in 

pacifying them. 

He said when the situation 

was getting out of hand, Oba 

Akiolu was rescued by the 

soldiers who later allowed the 

suspects to move into the 

palace. Policemen who later 

arrived at the scene attempted 

to engage the suspects but the 

soldiers were said to have sued 

for calm. 

A young man was seen on 

video running around with the 

monarch’s staff of office as a 

crowd trailed him. 

Curfew defied in 

Imo, police 

stations burnt 

In Imo State, some pro- 

EndSARs protesters yesterday 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 


NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

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#EndSARS: Fire, fury in Lagos, Imo, Abia, Rivers, others 

burnt down some police 

stations, despite the 24-hour 

curfew imposed by the state 

government. 

Vanguard observed the 

incident which started around 

2:54 pm also caused tension 

in and around the state 

capital. 

At press time, military 

personnel were seen manning 

strategic positions to suppress 

the activities of the protesters. 

The affected police stations 

include Nworieubi Police 

Station in Mbaitoli Local 

Government Area, Orji 

Divisional Police Station in 

Owerri North local 

government area as well as 

Njaba local government area. 

Also, the Umuguma 

Divisional Police Station in 

Owerri West Local 

Government Area and other 

police stations were said to be 

targeted by the protesters. 

Police spokesman in the state 

confirmed this. 

Aba town hall 

burnt, banks 

attacked 

In Aba, Abia State, 

protesters set ablaze Aba town 

hall housing the secretariat of 

the Aba South council, despite 

the 24-hour curfew in town. 

They also attacked three first 

generation banks as well as a 

mall on Etche road. 

The protesters marched 

through Asa-Aba main Motor 

Park from where they broke 

into the gate of the Aba town 

hall and set it on fire. Several 

police roadblocks mounted 

around major roads in the city, 

manned by soldiers could not 

stop the protesters from 

torching public buildings. 

A resident of Aba, who gave 

his name as Ifeanyi Kalu, 

said: “ The level of destruction 

of public buildings by the 

protesters is shocking. We 

all demanded that SARS must 

be scrapped and the 

government complied with it 

and promised to look into 

other demands. Why attack 

banks?” 

Chaos, as 2 get 

killed in Enugu 

In Enugu, two persons were 

killed as #EndSARS 

protesters in took to the streets 

against police brutality. 

Eyewitness accounts said 

policemen from Nike lake 

police station fired bullets at 

the protesters and felled four 

persons. 

Reports later came that two 

of the victims died at a hospital 

where they were rushed for 

treatment, as many others 

sustained serious gunshot 

injuries. State Police Public 

Relations Officer, Daniel 

Ndukwe, said he was not 

aware of any violence in the 

state. 

However, the Police and 

army used armoured vehicles 

to fire gunshots that 

temporarily dispersed 

protesters who insisted that 

the policeman who killed the 

protesters must be released to 

them. 

The entire Nike Lake road 

from Penoks junction to 

Ibeagwa was blocked with 

bonfires and refuse bins 

emptied along the roads. 

Every billboard of 

politicians around the area 

were brought down, as bus 

stops were also destroyed, 

while solar-powered batteries 

were carted away. 

Parents rushed to schools to 

withdraw their children. 

Commuters travelling out of 

Enugu through the Nike Lake 

gateway were stranded, while 

some cars had their 

windscreens smashed. 

The protesters also 

destroyed sections of the 

timber market, shops and 

economic activities in the area 

were grounded. 

The development forced the 

state government to impose a 

24-hour curfew in Enugu East, 

Enugu North and Enugu 

South Local Government 

Areas, effective from 7pm 

yesterday. 

Ebonyi gov 

declares curfew 

In Ebonyi State, Governor 

David Umahi of Ebonyi State, 

yesterday declared a 24-hour 

curfew in the state 

The governor, who stated 

this during a broadcast in 

Abakaliki, explained that the 

peaceful protest was hijacked 

by hoodlums and cultists who 

were shifted from outside the 

state. 

He said: “In my state, 

Ebonyi, I have noticed with 

sadness, how peaceful protest 

in Ebonyi State has been 

hijacked by hoodlums and 

cultists who were shifted from 

outside the state into our very 

peaceful state. 

“Government vehicles and 

infrastructure of government 

have come under severe 

destruction and this is 

regrettable. I appeal to our 

people not to allow outsiders 

to destroy the modest 

improvements of our state 

which may not have gone 

down well to some people 

outside our state who do not 

wish us well and who 

imported these hoodlums to 

our state. 

“I, therefore, call on security 

agencies to block all our 

borders from 7:00 pm today, 

the 21st October, 2020 and to 

protect all lives and property. 

“Furthermore, I, the 

governor of the state, by the 

powers conferred on me by 

the constitution of the federal 

republic of Nigeria, I hereby 

impose a 24 hours curfew 

from 7:00 pm today, the 21st 

of October, 2020. 

“I appeal to all these 

hoodlums and cultist to 

please use the time available 

today to leave the state very 

peacefully and I appeal to all 

the security agencies to 

continue to maintain calm 

even in the face of sever 

provocation and attack." 

It was reported that some 

protesters who took 

advantage of the EndSARS 

protest in Abakaliki made 

attempt to burn Kpirikpiri and 

Eke-Aba Police Stations in the 

state. 

An eye witness recounted: “A 

section of the fence of Nigeria 

Correctional Service hosting 

the female section of the 

Correctional Centre, 

Abakaliki was reportedly 

pulled down this afternoon 

(yesterday) by rampaging 

hoodlums who attempted to 

break the facility. 

“It was gathered that one of 

the hoodlums was shot dead 

by armed security personnel 

on guard at the facility, forcing 

others to retreat.” 

3 killed in P- 

Harcourt clashes 

In Port Harcourt, Rivers 

State, three persons were 

feared killed at Emenike area 

of Port Harcourt City Local 

Government Area. 

The three deaths resulted 

from the clash between some 

protesters and security 

operatives in the state, as 

EndSARS protest also turned 

bloody in parts of the state. 

Although there was no 

protest by #EndSARS 

protesters in the state 

yesterday, some unknown 

persons took to the streets, 

destroying valuables. 

It was learned that the 

unidentified persons had 

attempted to attack Mile 1 

Police Divisional Headquarters 

before they were killed. 

The State Public Relations 

Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, 

who declined comments on 

any of the developments in the 

state, said the command 

would soon brief the media 

on the developments. 

Ondo APC, PDP 

offices, SARS 

office burnt 

In Akure, Ondo State, 

hoodlums invaded the 

secretariat of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, and set 

it ablaze. 

This came barely hours 

after the Ondo State 

secretariat of the ruling All 

Progressive Congress, APC, 

was also razed. 

Vanguard gathered that two 

vehicles were equally set 

ablaze by the hoodlums. 

The Police authorities in the 

state also confirmed the 

burning of the office of the 


SARS, in the state capital. 

The command’s image 

maker, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said, he 

was yet to ascertain whether 

anybody was actually shot in 

Akure. 

Ikoro also confirmed the 

shooting in Ondo town, 

saying it was the resilience of 

policemen that prevented the 

burning of the police station, 

assuring that the police would 

carry out their duties with 

utmost professionalism. 

On it part, the PDP state 

secretariat located at 

Alagbaka in Akure metropolis 

was set ablaze by no 

fewer than 50 hoodlums 

under the guise of #EndSAR 

protest in the state. Recall that 

the APC had fingered the PDP 

in the razing of its secretariat 

but in a swift reaction, the PDP 

denied the dastardly act. 

In his reaction, the PDP state 

Publicity Secretary, Kennedy 

Peretei, said: “The PDP State 

Secretariat has been razed 

down. One of the policemen 

on duty escaped death by the 

whiskers but his vehicle was 

burnt down as well as the 

Coaster bus. This is very 

unfortunate and a grave 

danger to our democracy.” 

NBA vows legal 

action against 

military 

Reacting to the killings at 

Lekki yesterday, the Nigerian 

Bar Association, NBA, said in 

a statement signed by the 

President, Mr. Olumide 

Akpata, vowed to commence 

legal proceedings, both 

locally and internationally, 

against the military. 


attention of the Nigerian Bar 

Association (“NBA”) has been 

drawn to the dastardly 

shooting and killing of 

#ENDSARS protesters at the 

Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos 

State by some unidentified 

men of the Nigerian Military 

on Tuesday, 20th October 

2020. 

“From news reports on the 

incident, many lives were lost 

in the attack while several 

others were injured during the 

melee that ensued. 

“The NBA strongly 

condemns this act of 

recklessness and lawlessness 

by the security apparatus of 

the Government in what, 

based on reports available to 

us, appears to have been a 

carefully calculated and 

premeditated attack. 

“The NBA states that even if 

the protesters at the Lekki Toll 

Plaza were in breach of the 

curfew imposed by the Lagos 

State Government, such a 

misdemeanor or breach did 

not warrant the use of live 

ammunition by the Nigerian 

military to confront otherwise 

peaceful, unarmed and 

defenseless protesters. 

“Against the backdrop of this 

ugly development, the NBA 

wishes to state as follows: 

“The military high 

command is hereby requested 

to immediately identify and 

name the officers involved in 

this gross professional 

misconduct for immediate 

prosecution and dismissal in 

line with extant laws. 

“The NBA shall 

immediately commence 

legal proceedings at all 

relevant fora (both locally and 

internationally) against the 

Nigerian Military, and other 

relevant authorities, on behalf 

of the families of the victims, 

for abuse of power, disregard 

of rules of engagement and 

the infringement of the 

fundamental rights 

(including right to life) of the 

affected citizens." 

Army has 

replaced SARS 

— Soyinka 

Also reacting to the Lekki 

killings, Nobel Laureate, Prof. 

Wole Soyinka, said the 

Nigerian army has now 

replaced the disbanded 

special anti-robbery squad, 

SARS, of the police. 

In an article yesterday, 

Soyinka condemned the 

shootings, and likened the 

incident to the violations 

under Sani Abacha, the late 

military dictator. 

The octogenarian narrated 

how he met a couple of 

roadblocks manned by 

protesters as he left Lagos for 

his home in Abeokuta, Ogun 

state capital. He wrote: “After 

negotiating my way through 

some eight or nine protesters’ 

roadblocks, I was compelled 

to turn back. It was all déjà vu 

– the uprisings in the former 

Western Region of Nigeria, the 

anti-Abacha movement etc. 

etc. etc. 

“The attempt, however, 

enabled me to assess the mood 

and transformation of the 

movement. I was better 

prepared. I rescheduled my 

trip for the following day – that 

is, this morning. 

“In the meantime, however, 

that is, within the next eight to 

ten hours, the tension has 

become unimaginable! 

“At that earlier mention of 

Lagos sector, Lekki, where 

most of the affirmative action 

gatherings had taken place, 

soldiers opened fire on 

unarmed demonstrators, 

killing and wounding a yet 

undetermined number. 

“One such extra-judicial 

killing has drenched the 

Nigerian flag in the blood of 

innocents – and not 

symbolically. The video has, 

in accustomed parlance, 

‘gone viral’. 

“I have spoken by phone to 

eyewitnesses. One, a noted 

public figure has shared his 

first-hand testimony on 

television. The government 

should cease to insult this 

nation with petulant denials. 

“I resumed my trip to 

Abeokuta at 6 am, this 

morning (yesterday) as 

scheduled, again negotiating 

road-blocks — this time 

somewhere between twelve 

and fifteen, all distinguished 

by an implacable state of 

rage. 

“It was in stark contrast to 

the inclusivity of the 

protesting ‘family of common 

cause’ of earlier days. All 

inherent beauty of instant 

bonding and solidarity 

evaporated. At the block just 

before the Lagos Secretariat, 

the protesters proved the most 

recalcitrant. 

“In the end, they exacted 

from me just the one offering 

to the rites of passage – I could 

sense it coming —I had to 

come down from the car and 

address them. I did. Little did 

they know what was churning 

in my mind: This is not real. 

This is back to Abacha – in 

grotesque replay! 

“It is absolutely essential to 

let this government know that 

the army has now replaced 

SARS in the demonic album 

of the protesters.” 

Rein in military, others, 

Obasanjo tells Buhari 

Similarly, former President 

Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday 

asked President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

restrain the military and other 

security agencies from using 

brute force against protesters. 

Obasanjo in a statement, 

also appealed to the protesters 

to give peace a chance as they 

go about making their 

legitimate demands. 

The statement signed by his 

Special Assistant on Media, 

Kehinde Akinyemi, read: “It 

is with a heavy heart and deep 

sense of concern about the 

ongoing violence, chaos and 

unrest in many parts of 

Nigeria that I make this 

appeal to the government and 

people of our dear country, 

Nigeria, to eschew violence 

and embrace peace and 

dialogue in finding solutions 

to the challenges we face as a 

country. 

“I particularly appeal to 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari, in capacities as 

President of Nigeria, 

Commander-In-Chief of the 

Armed Forces, and a parent 

of youth like the ones who have 

in the last week come out in 

peaceful protest against 

police brutality and for 

improvement in their lives 

and their living conditions, to 

restrain the military and other 

security agencies from using 

brute force as a way of ending 

the crisis. 

“The shooting and murder 

of unarmed protesters, no 

matter the level of 

provocation, has never been 

effective in suppressing public 

anger and frustration. 

Instead, such actions only 

reinforce the anger and 

frustration of the populace."




VISIT: From left; Special Adviser to Deputy President of the Senate on Special Duties, Mr. Godwin 

Anaughe, Chief Sunday Boma Agbarifo, Barda Benson, Stephen Iyama, the Gbeneyei 1 of Ogulagha 

Kingdom, Chief Lucky Akara Gbeneyei, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, 

Barr. R.B. Guanah, Barr. Gabriel Yabaka during a visit to the deputy senate president. 

Buhari's silence causing more problems —Nwodo 

By Ikechukwu Odu 

ABUJA — Former na 

tional chairman of 

the People’s Democratic Party, 

PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has 

called on President Muhammadu 

Buhari, to address the protesting 

Nigerian youths and save 

the country from the impending 

anarchy. 

Nwodo, who was also a former 

governor of Enugu State said addressing 

the youths would go a 

Ugwuanyi inaugurates judicial panel on Police 

brutality 

ENUGU—GOVERNOR If 

eanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu 

State has inaugurated an 8-man 

Judicial Panel of Inquiry recently 

constituted by his administration 

to receive and investigate 

complaints of police brutality and/ 

or related extra judicial killings 

in the state. It would be recalled 

that Gov. Ugwuanyi while addressing 

the protesting youths 

last Saturday, disclosed that his 

administration had set up the 

panel as part of the measures to 

address the demands of the protesters. 

Inaugurating the panel at the 

Government House, Enugu, the 

governor disclosed that on the 

heels of the diffuse national protests, 

the National Economic 

Council (NEC) in its meeting 

presided over by Vice 

President Yemi 

Osinbajo, directed the immediate 

establishment of state-based 

Judicial Panel of Inquiry across 

the country •"to receive and investigate 

complaints of Police 

brutality and/or related extra-judicial 

killings with a view to delivering 

justice for all victims of 

the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery 

Squad (SARS) and other 

Police Units”. 

Gov. Ugwuanyi consequently 

announced Hon. Justice Kingsley 

Ude (Rtd) as Chairman. He 

also announced the founding Director 

of Women’s Aid Collective 

(WACOL), Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo 

(OON) and the President of International 

Solidarity for Peace 

and Human Rights Initiative, 

Comrade Osmond Ugwu as 

members representing the Civil 

Society Organizations. 

Other members of the panel 

include the Assistant Commissioner 

of Police, ACP Ikechukwu 

Odokoro (Rtd); representative of 

the youth, Charles Ogbu; representative 

of students, Comrade 

Stephen Ani, who is the Student 

Union President, University of 

Nigeria Nsukka (UNN); the 

State Coordinator, National Human 

Rights Commission, Enugu 

State office, Dr. Valentine 

Ekeoma Madubuko and Barr. 

Onochie Ngwu Obuna, 

representing the State Attorney 

General and Commissioner 

for Justice, who serves as secretary 

of the panel. 

S'East CLO absolves Obi of Ezu killings, Anambra SARS atrocities 

A 

NAMBRA — Civil 

Liberties Organization, 

South East Zone, has, 

through a Press Release 

signed by their zonal chairman, 

Aloysius Attah, absolved 

the former governor of 

Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, 

of blames and grievances surrounding 

the Ezu River killings 

and highly discussed 

atrocities reportedly committed 

by Anambra SARS in the 

past. 

This was made known in a 

position paper signed by its 

zonal chairman, Comrade 

Aloysius Attah. 

Civil Liberties Organization 

(CLO), which is one of the 

most vocal groups involved in 

the promotion and defense of 

human rights in Nigeria, expressed 

worries over what 

they described as the political 

slant some of the issues 

raised by the protesters were 

taking. They decried the way 

some persons or groups have 

long way in calming the flaring 

tempers of the youths which is 

gradually plunging the nation to 

a state of anarchy. 

Nwodo while saying that the 

protesters had remained on the 

streets to ensure that the government 

was sincere with their 

promises condemned the ongoing 

shooting of unarmed young 

men and women in some areas 

in Nigeria. 

“The country was happy that 

the protesters and the government 

were on the same page because 

everybody realized the excesses 

of the Nigerian police. 

When government responded by 

disbandment of the SARS, we felt 

it was on the same page with the 

youths and the majority of Nigerians 

who experienced police 

brutality. 

“Because the trust Nigerians 

has on the government at all levels 

were on very low ebb, the 

decided to politicize the recent 

ENDSARS protests degenerating 

to the level of 

names calling and fingers 

pointing. 

“It is worrisome that issues 

that should be addressed on 

its own merit as cases of human 

rights violations, abuse 

of office and extra judicial killings 

are now taken to the ridiculous 

level of name calling, 

settling political scores 

and rivalry as well as instrument 

of the Nigerian Pull- 

Him-Down. The group explained 

that they had been 

on the forefront of the campaign 

against extra judicial 

killings, cash for bail and detention 

without trial as was 

then perpetuated by SARS 

under the headship of James 

Oshin Nwafor as OC. 

They noted that atrocities 

and violations at the SARS 

Awkuzu predates the time of 

Nwafor and the Ezu River killings 

of 2012/2013. They noted 

that the Ezu River killings 

was just one out of the many 

evils perpetuated by SARS. 

The CLO however stated 

that it would be unfair to lump 

the blame of SARS atrocities 

and the Ezu River killings on 

Peter Obi, the then governor 

of Anambra State. 

They said that instead of 

blames, Obi’s administration 

should be praised for the way 

they handled the saga. They 

maintained that Anambra 

SARS under OC James 

Nwafor should be held responsible 

for extra judicial 

killings that saw to the dumping 

of dead bodies in Ezu River. 

“In investigating the Ezu 

River dumping of murdered 

suspects by security agents, 

panel reports and independent 

findings by civil society 

and human rights groups including 

the CLO , never in 

any way indicted the then 

Governor of the state, Mr 

Peter Obi over the incident. 

youths remained on the streets 

and even made further demands 

to ensure that government was 

serious with the implementation. 

I would have thought that the 

president would have made a 

national broadcast, reacting positively 

to the things he has already 

taken care of among the 

demands of the protesters and 

then, give deadline for those he 

was yet to do, and if necessary, 

invite some leaders of the protesters 

for a dialogue on other 

outstanding issues which the 

government may not be able to 

address immediately. That would 

have taken the youths off the 

streets. 

“Now, the sympathy of the 

world at large is with the protesters 

because government allowed 

criminals to infiltrate peaceful 

protests that have been going on 

for over 12 days now. It is the duty 

of the police to protect the protesters 

and ensure that bad eggs 

do not infiltrate them. 

“Government was ill-advised to 

send military men to start shooting 

unarmed young men and 

women bearing the national flags. 

However, it is not too late for the 

President to rise to the occasion; 

after all, these are his 

children. He should caution 

and advise them, not shooting 

them,” he said. 

''Infact, his administration’s 

efforts to unravel the circumstances 

surrounding the 

whole saga and find justice 

for the victims was glaring 

and commended.'' 

Pandemonium in Enugu 

as protest escalates 

The Enugu metropolis 

was shut down yesterday 

as #EndSARS protests 

escalated in the state with 

protesters taking over 

major streets within the 

capital. Human and vehicular 

traffic was 

grounded as the protesters 

blocked the streets 

with bonfires along the 

main roads within the city. 

By Festus Ahon 

A 

S A B A — 

DETERMINED to 

alleviate the sufferings of the less 

privileged, the Rotary club of 

Asaba Metropolitan has 

empowered 20 petty traders with 

zero interest loan under its Micro 

Credit Women Empowerment 

programme. 

Speaking during the 

presentation ceremony in Asaba, 

the District Governor in charge 

of District 9141, Rotarian Virginia 

Major, said the loan was to assist 

the beneficiaries grow their 

businesses, charging them to use 

the loan for the purpose for which 

it was meant. 

Major said: "These men and 

women you are seeing here use 

their monies for charity work. The 

only thing you can do for them is 

to invest the money you will be 

given today into your businesses. 

"Don't use the profit for frivolity. 

When the profit comes, invest it 

Vanguard which monitored 

the developent observed that 

the road leading to the Maximum 

Correctional Centre at 

Old park, Enugu was barricaded 

with their truck vehicle 

over fear of being attacked by 

the protesting youths. 

It was also gathered that 

shops at Abakpa axis of the 

state were under lock and key 

while banks were shut down. 

Access Bank launches awareness campaign, 

screening for breast cancer in Lagos, Rivers, Abuja 

ACCESS Bank’s ‘W’ Initiative 

launches awareness 

campaign and screening for 

breast cancer in Lagos, Rivers and 

Abuja. 

In celebration of Women’s 

Health Month, Access Bank’s 

‘W’ Initiative, a flagship women 

empowerment programme from 

Access Bank Plc, has announced 

a breast cancer awareness campaign 

and screening for women 

in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt 

from the 21st – 31st of October, 

2020. 

Speaking on the campaign, 

Ayona Trimnell, Group Head, W 

We didn't snatch arms in Ebonyi 

Police Station — IPOB 

Rotary Club dolls out loan to 

traders in Delta 

Initiative Access Bank Plc, said: 

''The W Health Month, aimed at 

improving community awareness 

on health issues that affect women 

and their families by bridging 

knowledge gaps, providing access 

to health checks and encouraging 

healthy lifestyle habits, 

will be kicking off with the 

Breast Cancer Awareness 

Sensitization Campaign from 

October 21, 2020. Subsequently, 

women across the three states 

will have access to free breast 

screening from October 26th – 

31st, 2020. 

“Breast cancer is the 2nd most 

By Peter Okutu 

THE Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPOB, has denied 

involvement in the alleged 

snatching of arms by 

Ebonyi Police command, saying 

the allegation is false. 

In a statement signed by the 

group’s Media and Publicity 

Secretary, Emma Powerful, 

IPOB said: “We, the Indigenous 

Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) 

ably led by our great leader, 

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to 

state clearly that we know 

nothing about the alleged 

snatching of guns in Ebonyi 

State. The allegation by the 

Ebonyi State Police Commissioner 

that our members 

snatched two AK-47 from 

Area Commander is unfounded 

and a total falsehood. 

“This is another fabrication 

by the police in their usual 

characteristics of propaganda 

and blackmail to disrepute 

IPOB. We dissociate from the 

alleged attack as we knew 

nothing about it. 

“We have always made it 

known that our philosophy for 

Biafra actualization is nonviolence, 

but any day we want 

to change that approach, we 

shall make it known. If we 

want to go into arms struggle 

we know where to go and 

source for arms. We won't defend 

Biafra with stolen guns 

from the Nigeria Police. So, 

linking IPOB with stolen guns 

in Ebonyi cannot fly. It's a blatant 

lie.” 

IPOB therefore called on the 

Police hierarchy in Ebonyi 

State as well as Gov. Dave 

Umahi, to immediately halt 

all the harassment and intimidation 

of their members and 

Ebonyi indigenes since the 

beginning of the ongoing 

#EndSARS protest. 

back to the business you are 

doing, if the business grows, it 

will be to your advantage". 

The Assistant Governor in 

charge of Zone 12, Rotarian 

Jonathan Olisedeme, who also 

spoke at the ceremony, spoke in 

the same vein. President of the 

Rotary Club of Asaba 

Metropolitan, Rotarian Patricia 

Ojebor, who spoke earlier, said the 

programme was an annual 

event. 

Ojebor said: "What we do is that 

we go round to pick some petty 

traders that really need 

assistance and we talk to them 

and ascertain that if they better 

their lives with the money and 

be able to return the interest free 

loan at the end of one year. 

Speaking on behalf of the 

beneficiaries beneficiary, Mrs. 

Joan Chiwendu, thanked the 

club for coming to their aid, 

promising that they would 

invest the money into their 

businesses with a view to 

growing it. 

common cancer among women 

therefore, the need for awareness 

cannot be overemphasized in the 

effort to fight and prevent the 

devastating and long-lasting impact 

of the illness on affected 

women and their families." 

"While there has been considerable 

global conversations about 

this subject matter over the past 

few decades, many Nigerian 

women are still unaware of the 

importance and procedure for regular 

breast screening, which is a 

major reason Nigeria has one of 

the highest breast cancer mortality 

rates in the world.''

AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone under 

threat over #endsars killings 

There are fears that the AFCON 

qualification match between 

the Super Eagles and Sierra Leone 

next month in Asaba, Delta State, 

may not hold because of the 

growing insecurity in the country 

and #endsars protests 

This comes as Super Eagles players, 

past players, sports stars and leading 

international stars, yesterday rose in 

unison to condemn the unprovoked 

shooting and killing of protesting 

youths at the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza 

by military personnel on Tuesday. 

Rising to condemn the killings of 

protesters, Super Eagles defender, 

Kenneth Omeruo, said “My 

heart actually bleeds. Please stay 

safe. End these killings”. 

For.most members of the Eagles, 

their solidarity with the protesters 

is not in doubt as evident in their take 

a knee celebration of a goal during 

the recent international friendly 

match against Tunisia in Austria. 

From Ahmed Musa to William. 

Troost-Ekong, Moses Simon, 

Leon Balogunÿ Oghenekaro Etebo, 

Francis Uzoho, Wilfred Ndidi and 

Kelechi Iheanacho, the mood is 

the same, Nigerians deserve better 

treatment from the people they voted 

to govern then. 

Even before Tuesday’s killings by 

military men, the likes of Ndidi 

and Iheanacho, had voiced out 

their solidarity with the protesters, 

calling for the reformation of the 

Nigerian Police Force and other 

government agencies. 

And it now seems that they would 

now take their solidarity further by 

Sports icons 

deplore killings of 

Nigerian youths 

More Nigerian sports men 

and women have tasked the 

government of President 

Muhammadu Buhari to end the 

killings of protesting Nigerian 

youths. 

The nation has been embroiled in 

protests over extra judicial killings 

by Nigerian police force. Things 

came to a head on Tuesday night 

with reported massacre of 

protesters at the Lekki toll gate in 

Lagos by men in military uniforms. 

The killings have left Nigerians 

traumatised including sports 

icons. 

“It’s sad and hurting my country 

Nigeria is killing her leaders of 

tommrow. 

“This is totally uncalled for, it’s 

unbelievable this is happening,” 

said table tennis legend Funke 

Oshonaike. 

Former 400m athlete and 4x400m 

Olympic gold medallist Enefiok 

Odo-Obong wants the 

government to resign. 

“We must not sit on the fence. We 

must come together and save our 

nation. 

“This government must resign. 

The lives of the young heroes lost, 

shall not die in vain.” 

Nigeria’s U20 and U17 boys 

have been presented with 

tough tasks in the races for next 

year’s youth continental 

championships. 

At the Draws conducted 

yesterday, seven-time African 

champions, Flying Eagles of 

Nigeria were housed in the same 

Group B as Ghana’s Black 

Satellites and the Junior 

Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for the 

WAFU B U20 Tournament taking 

place in the Republic of Togo 18th 

November – 2nd December. 

Hosts Togo, Niger Republic, 

Benin Republic and Burkina Faso 

will battle it out in Group A of the 

not honouring next month’’s 

matches with Sierra Leone should 

the insecurity in the country persist. 

In fact, Ndidi said that the 

Ighalo cries out over killing of 

protesters 

. Begs international community to intervene 

. Lineker lends support to Ighalo 

AJ promises to help with support packages 

Manchester United 

striker, Odion Ighalo, 

has deplored the 

shooting by the military at 

unarmed anti-sars protesters in 

the Lekki area of Lagos, 

describing the Nigerian 

government as killers, who must 

be called to order by the UK 

government and other world 

leaders. 

Speaking in a video post on his 

verified twitter handle last nigh, 

,the AFCON 2019 top scorer said 

he was ashamed of the Nigerian 

government for the rash decision 

to deploy soldiers to stop people 

from protesting. 

In a soul-stirring post he did on 

the sidelines of the Champions 

League clash between PSG and 

Manchester United in Paris, the 

former Watford forward, said, 

“I am sad. I’m not the guy who 

talks about politics but I can’t 

keep quiet anymore over what is 

going on back home in Nigeria. 

“I will say Nigerian you are a 

shame to the world. For killing 

your own citizens, sending 

military to the streets, to kill 

unharmed protesters because they 

are protesting for their rights. It’s 

uncalled for. 

“October 20, 2020, you people 

would be remembered in the 

history as the first b start killing 

their own citizens. 

“I am ashamed of this 

government I can’t take this 

anymore. I am calling on the UK 

government, all the leaders 

of the world to see what is going 

on in Nigeria and help us. Help 

the poor citizens 

“The government are killing 

their own citizens We are 

calling on you guys to please help 

us to see to the end of this matter 

“And I want to call on my brothers 

F/Eagles, Eaglets face tough opposition 

on roads to Mauritania, Morocco 

Pinnick 

Musa 

tournament, from which the 

champion team will qualify to 

represent the zone at the 2021 U20 

Africa Cup of Nations that will 

hold in Mauritania. 

Also yesterday, WAFU B 

secretariat made the draw for the 

WAFU B U17 Tournament holding 

in Benin Republic in December. 

players in diaspora fear for their lives 

whenever they come to honour 

national call-up. 

“These killings and brutality must 

stop so that we in the diaspora 

would not average second thoughts 

on coming hone”. 

Ighalo 

Omeruo 

and sisters back home, to remain 

safe. Be indoors, don’t come out 

because this government are 

killers and they would keep 

killing If the world does not talk 

about it. They will keep 

killing”, added Ighalo. 

Gary Lineker was one of the first 

to lend his support to Ighalo, 

retweeting the video to his 

7.7million Twitter followers. 

Anthony Joshua, whose mother 

is Nigerian, was also quick to 

show his support amid the ugly 

scenes in Lagos, posting his own 

The Executive Committee of 

the Nigeria Football 

Federation has sanctioned the 

commencement of the process to 

elect a new Member of the 

Committee for the North East zone 

of the country, following the 

demise on 19th September 2020 of 

Alhaji Musa Adamu Duhu. 

The late Duhu, who was 

Chairman of the Adamawa State 

Football Association, had himself 

won a by-election to take the place 

of Alhaji Hussainin Modibbo, 

Chairman of the Taraba State 


Ozil slams Arsenal 

Mesut Ozil has broken his 

silence on his exile from the 

Arsenal squad after being left out 

of their 25-man Premier League 

squad, admitting he is ‘deeply 

disappointed’ by Mikel Arteta’s 

decision and hit out at the club’s 

lack of ‘loyalty’. 

The German midfielder has not 

featured for the Gunners since 

before the Premier League 

restarted from coronavirus 

lockdown, but has fallen far down 

the pecking order under Arteta - 

with his exclusion from his 

domestic squad the latest blow. 

The £350,000-a-week star has 

now spoken out on social media 

to deliver a passionate message to 

Arsenal fans, revealing how is 

‘saddened’ to be left out of the 

team and that his ‘allegiance’ to 

the club is not being reciprocated. 

video to Instagram. 

In it, he said: ‘In my prayers at 

night, I’m praying for peace and 

positivity. I know the people on the 

ground aren’t trying to be heard 

for their own benefit, it’s for the 

benefit of the next generation.’ 

The boxer went on to reveal that 

he is sending care packages to the 

country while he is unable to 

travel to Nigeria, and plans to go 

there to help more when he has 

come through his next fight, 

against Kubrat Pulev on 

December 12. 

NFF gives go-ahead for North East 

by-election 

Football Association and one of the 

two Members from the North East 

on the NFF Board, who died in 

2016. 

After serving out late Modibbo’s 

tenure, Duhu himself won 

election to remain on the Board at 

the NFF Elective Congress which 

took place in Katsina in 

September 2018. 

A new person to take the place of 

the late Alhaji Duhu will be known 

at the Annual General Assembly 

of the NFF scheduled for the 

month of December. The other 

Member of the NFF Executive 

Committee from the North East is 

Alhaji Babagana Kalli. 

Ronaldo better than Lewandowski—Costa 

Juventus loanee Douglas Costa 

says he ‘wanted to return to 

Bayern Munich’ and insists 

Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘on another 

level’ compared to Robert 

Lewandowski. 

“I wanted to go back to Bayern 

Munich a long time ago, I’m very 

happy here,” Douglas Costa told 

Sport Bild. 

The Brazilian made return to the 

Allianz Arena on loan from 

Anthony Joshua 

Juventus last summer. 

“I have always been in contact 

with my former teammates: 

Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, 

Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, 

I never lost contact with them,” he 

said. 

“I had other offers before I joined 

Juventus. It is top club, one of the 

best in Europe. I wanted to win 

the Champions League with Juve. 

‘This is a difficult message to 

write to the @Arsenal fans that 

I’ve played for over the past few 

years,’ he wrote. 

‘I’m really deeply disappointed 

by the fact that I have not been 

registered for the 

@PremierLeague season for the 

time being. 

Ozil 

Nigerian born Naser 

escapes dope ban 

Nigerian-born Bahrain 400m 

runner Salwa Ed Naser, has been 

cleared of doping violations by the 

Athletes intergrity unit. 

The 22 year-old athlete, born 

Ebele Agbapuonwu in Onitsha ran 

the third fastest time of 48.14 

seconds at the 2019 World 

Championships at Doha. But in 

June she was accused of missing 

four “whereabouts” testing and was 

provisionally banned by the World 

Athletics. 

However, after a disciplinary 

hearing, the WA determined that 

her missing the test ‘comical.’ 

In January 2020, Naser was said 

to be in her flat sleeping, but the 

doping inspector failed to locate her 

correct address and when he 

finally did, he was most reluctant 

to wake up the occupants of the 

building. 

Man Utd debt 

jumps to £474.1m 

.Coronavirus costs Red 

Devils £70m in revenue 

Manchester United have 

announced that their debt 

has surpassed £474million after 

their income was massively 

reduced by the impact of 

coronavirus. 

United saw a £23.2m loss 

accumulated for the 2019-20 season, 

which was due mainly to 41.9 per 

cent drop in broadcasting income. 

But United’s net debt is up to 

£474.1m from £203.6m 12 months 

ago, which equates to a staggering 

132.9 per cent rise. 

This is mainly due to a £256m 

decrease in cash and cash 

equivalents - namely on fees for 

players including £80m Harry 

Maguire, loss of matchday receipts 

and deferred sponsorship - and the 

adverse movements in the exchange 

rate between the pound and the 

dollar. 

The club say the principal debt – 

which relates to the Glazer family’s 

leveraged takeover – remains the 

same. 

Mendy is Chelsea’s No 1 

goalkeeper — Lampard 

Frank Lampard has admitted 

that Edouard Mendy has 

already usurped Kepa 

Arrizabalaga as Chelsea’s No 1, 

weeks after claiming his new 

signing was there just to provide 

competition for the goalkeeper’s 

position. 

Lampard had previously 

suggested the £22million arrival of 

Mendy from Rennes would take 

the heat off the error-prone Kepa, 

but he has changed his mind after 

the former’s solid performance in 

Chelsea’s goalless draw against 

Sevilla. 

Asked if Mendy was now first 

choice, Lampard said: ‘At the 

moment yes, he’s shown his quality. 

‘The way he’s played, he’s played 

very well, that’s two clean sheets for 

him already. 

‘As it stands he is [first choice] but 

that’s always up for grabs. But the 

way he’s playing I’m very happy.’

C 

M 

Y 

K 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

ACROSS 

7 Quickly (2,3,6) 

8 Turn to ice (6) 

9 Grown-ups (6) 

10 Nearer (6) 

12 Give a sermon (6) 

13 Chopping tool (3) 

14 Beast (6) 

16 Expensive (6) 

18 Pleasantly odd (6) 

20 Foliage (6) 

22 Somnambulist (11) 

DOWN 

1 Couple (4) 

2 Greek capital (6) 

3 Postponement (8) 

4 Garment in ancient Rome (4) 

5 Forswear (6) 

6 Upright (8) 

11 Pine away (8) 

12 Strange (8) 

15 Posted (6) 

17 Light meals (6) 

19 Kind, sort (4) 

21 Republic of Ireland (4) 

How to Play Sudoku 

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have 

two of the same number). 

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine 

lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block 

(nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means 

that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or 

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

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22102020 - #EndSARS: Fire, fury in Lagos, Imo, Abia, Rivers, others

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