BREAKING: Hoodlums Break Benin Prison Wall, Free Inmates (Photos, Videos)

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October 19, 2020

The Nigerian Army has clarified that “Operation Crocodile Smile” is not targeted at #EndSARS protesters.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, made this known in a press statement on Sunday.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some social media stuff wrongfully condemning the Army and its Leadership over the announcement of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI particularly the Cyber Warfare Component of the Exercise. This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020 has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.

“For the records, Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is a yearly exercise in the NA Calendar/Forecast of Events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year.

“Thus, to now insinuate that it is an exercise meant to stifle the ongoing ENDSARS protest is, to say the least highly misinformed. Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI has nothing to do with the ongoing protest and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protest in any form whatsoever. So far, the army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago.

“The army hereby enjoins all law-abiding Nigerians to go about their lawful activities unhindered as the Exercise has nothing to do with ENDSARS protest, but a yearly event set out to train NA officers and soldiers in its efforts to ensuring safety and security of Nigeria and her citizens.”

“My Cousin Was Murdered By Police”, Nigerian-Born Canadian Justice Minister Supports #EndSARS

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October 19, 2020

Nigerian-born Kaycee Madu who was recently appointed as Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of Alberta in Canada has endorsed the #EndSARS protest in Nigeria.

“I support the people of Nigeria as they protest to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings,” Mr. Madu stated on Twitter.

Giving a reason for his endorsement of the demonstration, the solicitor-general revealed that his cousin was a victim of police brutality in Nigeria.

The Alberta Minister of Justice said, “My own cousin Chrisantus Nwabueze Korie was murdered by Nigerian police in April 2013”.

Madu also stated in his tweet thread on Saturday that despite his best efforts, the police would not investigate the murder and did everything to obstruct the process of obtaining justice.

He said he also helped to petition a committee of Nigeria’s National Assembly to probe the killing and report back to the House in a timely manner.

While arguing that fundamental human rights like peace, security, and freedom from police brutality are universal, the Nigerian-born lawyer noted the government has an obligation to protect its citizens and deliver substantive police reform.

According to him, changing the name of SARS and reconstituting it without significant reform won’t be sufficient to satisfy the cry of the Nigerian people for justice.

Quoting Edmund Burke, the minister encouraged all Nigerians to stand up and be heard, stressing that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

WARNING: Graphic Photo, viewer discretion is advised.

I support the people of Nigeria as they protest to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings. My own cousin Chrisantus Nwabueze Korie was murdered by Nigerian police in April 2013. pic.twitter.com/P41mtTvKMK

— Kaycee Madu, KC, ECA (@KayceeMaduYEG) October 17, 2020

Sanwo-Olu Visits Family Of #EndSARS Protest Victim Killed By Stray Bullet

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October 19, 2020

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday visited the widow of Mr. Okechukwu Iloamuazor, the driver hit by a stray bullet during last Monday’s EndSARS demonstration by youths in the Surulere area of the metropolis.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the family over the incident, which he described as unfortunate. He said the late Iloamuazor should not have died under the circumstance, but assured the family members that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

He explained that already, all the four policemen who opened fire on the protesters in the Surulere axis of the state had been identified by the government and the police authorities and they are currently undergoing an orderly room trial at the Lagos state police command.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also said the state government would take the officers’ punishment beyond the established disciplinary guidelines of the police.

He reiterated that his administration remained on the side of those calling for a change in policing methods adding that all those maimed or killed in Lagos in the course of the demonstration would be duly compensated even as the state government would honour their sacrifices by pushing for reforms that would bring about a policing system that will uphold rights of the citizens.

Governor Umahi Denies Defecting To APC

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October 19, 2020

Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi has denied reports making the rounds he has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A House of Representatives from Ebonyi, Chinedu Ogah had claimed on Saturday the Governor had defected to the APC.

Ogah, who is the only APC federal lawmaker from Ebonyi, also commended the Governor for defecting to APC.

According to Ogah, Umahi defected to the APC after meeting several leaders of the party, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

He described it as a bold step and move in the right direction and asked About, Enugu and Anambra Governors to join the APC for stability in the polity and South East.

“Yes, Governor Umahi’s defection to our great party, APC is a step in the right direction.

“We cannot afford to remain in opposition. We must join the ruling party to continue to reap the dividends of democracy.

“I am calling on other Governor in the southeast to toe the line of Governor Umahi and join APC. We have to be at the center, we have to join mainstream politics for the overall development of our zone and the country in general.

President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. Everybody should join the APC to encourage him”, Ogah said.

But when contacted, Governor Umahi, in a terse reply simply told The Nation “it is not true.”

The Governor’s Media Aide, Maze Francis, also debunked the report.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to the news making the round in some quarters of the media, alleging that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC)”.

“The news is a product of a figment of imagination on the part of the carriers as Governor Umahi was, is, and is still flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

“It is, however, difficult to observe how people are easily persuaded to believe in fake dummies in the name of rumours.

“If for any reason, Governor Umahi wishes to leave People Democratic Party (PDP), it will be officially communicated and can never be a product from rumour mongers”.

“The general public is advised to jettison such unfounded rumour”.

“Why Spend Money On IPPIS When UTAS Is Free?” – ASUU To FG

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October 19, 2020

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has challenged the Federal Government to tell Nigerians why it prefers to spend money on enrolling workers on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, when the union’s University Transparency and Accountability System, UTAS, can be used for the same purpose free of charge.

The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, threw the challenge on Sunday in a chat with Vanguard.

He wondered why the government would insist on wasting scarce public resources on an investment that would in the end fail to meet expectations.

“We are close to actualising UTAS’ integrity process. We wonder why the government is insisting on IPPIS that cannot meet expectations in terms of performance. Does it make sense for the government to waste money on IPPIS?

“For everyone listed on the IPPIS platform, they pay some money to those who brought the platform. But for UTAS, they don’t need to pay a dime. They should tell Nigerians why despite the economic challenges in the country, they are insisting on something that would take money from the national purse when some people have a better alternative that costs nothing. Definitely, something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.

On the claim by the government that most university lecturers have been enrolled in IPPIS, Ogunyemi said it was untrue.

“From our investigations, not up to one-quarter of our members are on the platform. The few ones on the platform are of three categories. The first being those close to retirement or those retiring who felt being enrolled would help secure their entitlements.

“The second category is the newly-recruited staff who also felt they wanted to secure their jobs and those who were cajoled into enrolling. The government only listed names of our members on the platform without the biometric being done by the listed lecturers and when the biometric is not done, the listing amounts to nothing.

“If they are still boasting that they have our members on the IPPIS, what are they sending teams to universities to list members on the IPPIS,” he stated.

On last week’s meeting, ASUU had with the government delegation, Ogunyemi said nothing was really achieved because matters for discussion were just opened before the meeting ended.

He added that another meeting would take place during the week but could not confirm the date yet.

ASUU has been on strike since late March this year over issues such as the revitalisation of the university system, setting up of Visitation Panels to universities, implementation of an earlier agreement reached with the government among others before the IPPIS issue cropped up.

BREAKING: #EndSARS Protesters Shut Alausa Secretariat Lagos

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October 19, 2020

#EndSARS protesters in the early hours on Monday, stormed Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, and shut the premises preventing workers from entering the premises, ABN TV reports.

The protesters blocked all the entrances to the secretariat and turned back motorists and pedestrians from coming out and going into the premises.

Commuters were seen stranded at bus stops due to few commercial buses on the road.

Some of the areas where the protesters have occupied include; Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, LASU-Iba Road by Isheri-Roundabout, Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA.

With Us, Be Assured Of Peace And Stability In Abia, Speaker Tells Ikpeazu

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October 19, 2020

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has assured the Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, of the support and cooperation of members of the House of Assembly, saying the Governor can afford to sleep with his two eyes closed.

The Speaker stated this while giving his goodwill message at the 56th birthday celebration of the Governor held today at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

“You need to remain focused. Do not allow anyone to distract you. Avoid sycophants. Let your focus remain on service delivery across the length and breadth of Abia State”, the Speaker stated.

Continuing, he said, “Be sure that this House (of Assembly) as constituted by law will always support you one hundred percent in all that you intend to achieve for the good people of Abia State. You will certainly not find us wanting”, he assured.

The Speaker also went ahead to thank God for sparing the Governor’s life by restoring to him good health when he had his health challenges.

While thanking the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu for organising the deserving birthday celebration, the Speaker wished the Governor long life in good health and prosperity.

https://youtu.be/dOSip_qdcrc

With Us, Be Assured Of Peace And Stability In Abia, Speaker Tells Ikpeazu

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October 19, 2020

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has assured the Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, of the support and cooperation of members of the House of Assembly, saying the Governor can afford to sleep with his two eyes closed.

The Speaker stated this while giving his goodwill message at the 56th birthday celebration of the Governor held today at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

“You need to remain focused. Do not allow anyone to distract you. Avoid sycophants. Let your focus remain on service delivery across the length and breadth of Abia State”, the Speaker stated.

Continuing, he said, “Be sure that this House (of Assembly) as constituted by law will always support you one hundred percent in all that you intend to achieve for the good people of Abia State. You will certainly not find us wanting“, he assured.

The Speaker also went ahead to thank God for sparing the Governor’s life by restoring to him good health when he had his health challenges.

While thanking the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu for organising the deserving birthday celebration, the Speaker wished the Governor long life in good health and prosperity.

https://youtu.be/dOSip_qdcrc

NECO Postpones Exam Over #EndSARS Protests

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October 19, 2020