A representative of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo on Saturday said President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the deployment of soldiers to Lekki Tollgate on 20th October.
He said this under cross-examination by counsel to the Lagos State Government, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), while testifying before the Justice Doris Okuwobi Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution on the alleged atrocities of the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).
The army general admitted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not have the authority to give order to troops. He said he could only have made the request for them to be deployed.
General Taiwo also said it was not true that the Nigerian Army was looking to nab entertainer DJ Switch over the role she played in giving the impression that people were massacred at at the Tollgate plaza.
“Some people take delight in misrepresenting Nigeria and particularly the Nigerian Army to the international community and our fellow Nigerians. This, I believe is done for pecuniary gains.
“Quite recently, a Nigerian, Catherine Udeh, also known as DJ Switch, claimed the Nigerian Army was looking for her. There is nothing further than the truth.
“My Lord, we have bigger fish to fry; and that is how to stabilise Lagos. We can’t be bothered chasing one or two people. Where she got that from, I do not know, ” he said.
Rahama Sadau in the backless cloth that led to the crisis
There has been news of death threat over alleged blasphemy on Kannywood actress Rahama Sadau, and this has been causing many agitations on social media amongst youth. The actress who has been silent since has however come out to clear the air over her purported arrest, she explained that she has has not been invited by the police nor sentenced to jail by any court.
The actress said this in reaction to a report that she’s being arrested and charged before a Sharia Court.
An Islamic schooler Lawal Gusau, who is also a security expert, had written a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on November 3, 2020, demanding that Sadau be investigated for posting a photo of herself wearing a backless gown.
Gasau said the indecent photo attracted blasphemous comments against Prophet Mohammed and this was capable of setting the country on fire.
However, Sadau in a statement released on Tuesday noted that she has not received any legal trial for whatever reason.
“I have received many messages that I have been arrested and sentenced to jail earlier today. I have no idea where the news emanated from. I’m therefore calling on people to stop spreading FAKE and unfounded stories.
“I haven’t received any police invitation or court trial. I’m reiterating this to well-wishers that I’m SAFE and FINE and I have never received any legal trial for whatever reason. To those trying to bank on this issue to create an unrest, Please give it a rest.
“It’s indeed a hard time for me. This is not the right time for FAKE NEWS. Much love to those who reached out, I’m grateful,” Sadau stated.
The Corps Marshal Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has described as unfortunate but avoidable, the fatal crash that occurred today Saturday 7 November, 2020 at Kara bridge on the outward Lagos lane of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway , stating that frantic efforts are already in place to put an end to tanker explosions.
In a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the Corps Marshal said this after receiving reports of the fatal crash. He stated that the fatal road traffic crash involved a single Tanker fully ladened with PMS. that the crash investigation carried out by a team of FRSC personnel deployed for rescue operations, revealed that the driver lost control of the wheels as a result of mechanical deficiency (tyre blow out) making the tanker to fall on the expressway amidst a wild inferno.
From the crash investigation report submitted, a total of 2 male adults were killed and burnt beyond recognition, while a wanton destruction of properties occasioned by the fire also left 29 vehicles parked by the road side burnt down completely.
Oyeyemi also lamented the actions of hoodlums who prevented the combined rescue teams of the Federal Fire Service and FRSC from approaching the scene of the crash.
According to him, “when our personnel got to the scene, they met teams of Lagos State Fire Service who advised our men against approaching the scene of the crash. The fire fighters said they were equally deployed to the scene for same reason but on arrival, they were chased back by some hoodlums, carrying dangerous weapons”. Both teams had to run to the Isheri Division of Nigeria Police for security cover.
The Corps Marshal also maintained that the Corps is seriously engaging critical stakeholders and making frantic efforts to find lasting solution to tanker explosions on the road . . He called on the Governments at all levels to expedite action towards working out modalities that will support and hasten existing efforts towards fleet renewal as most of the articulated vehicles are aged while efforts are on to enforce compulsory use of safety valves to prevent spillage after falls of tankers.
On the present state of traffic on the road, the Corps wishes to inform the general public that there is no need for panic as the crashed vehicles have been successfully removed from the road and all Obstructions cleared with the road now opened to use. As such, road users already on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway or intending users who have not explored alternative roads should please exercise caution and drive safe; avoid speeding, road rage and ultimately, avoid driving against the flow of traffic. FRSC wishes us safe journey to our various destinations.
The story of the property market in Lagos cannot be told today without also stating the immense strides of Mr Olabisi Akanbi, one of the few forces behind the emerging market boom of the industry in the commercial nerve centre of the country.
Olabisi Akanbi, though have had brief stints entertainment, automotive and publication, his penchant for success led him to real estate where Akanbi is now well decorated for excellence in building and philanthropy across Nigeria.
Meet, Mr Olabisi Akanbi the president and founder of Lafaith Property Ltd(an indigenous construction company in Lagos Nigeria ) and one of the emerging civil construction company in Lagos. Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, he has been a key participant in the emerging property market boom in Lagos today.
He’s had business stints in entertainment, automotive and publication before he proceeded to the United Kingdom to further his education, he majored in international business management from the Cavendish College in London then proceeded to the St. Patrick’s College London where he bagged a bachelor of science-IBM.
He returned to Nigeria and delved into the property business having understudied multinational and indigenous civil constructing companies such as Cappa de Alberto, Elalan civil engineering company,lekki homes and a host of others. He established the Lafaith Property Company in 2008 which it was later registered with the CAC in 2017 and has been part of major building constructions in Banana island, Magodo GRA, Parkview estate Ikoyi, Alimosho, Opic Isheri, just to mention a few.
Through his commitment to excellence and a dedication to professionalism, Mr Olabisi Akanbi and the Lafaith company has continued to exceed industry standards by forming strong professional partnerships based on integrity, ingenuity and reliability.
This characteristics along with deep-rooted tie to the Lagos state government housing authorities has enabled Mr Akanbi and his company to become one of the most sought after and respected names in building construction, contracting and real estate management in Lagos Nigeria and beyond. Mr Olabisi Akanbi is well decorated for excellence in building and philanthropy across Nigeria, he is also an honorary member of the civil construction society of Nigeria, member Lagos state builders guild. Mr Olabisi Akanbi is also studying to become a building consultant with a specialized interest in building material alternatives and distribution in AIU university for him to be able to give the best to his client.
Lieutenant General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade (Retired), a former Chief of Defence Staff, during the commissioning ceremony of the state-of-the-art Operations Room in Headquarters 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Ibadan lauded the steadfastness of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai in embracing the tenets of civil-military relations. He commended the present Nigerian Army leadership for its steadastness in ensuring the subordination of the military to civil authority.
The retired senior officer stated that the events of recent weeks which went beyond the ENDSARS protest has portrayed the Chief of Army Staff as a rare breed officer and an exemplary leader who did not betray the trust and confidence of the Commander in Chief noting that the Chief of Army Staff has on many occasions made it clear that the Nigerian Army is a professional army and that the era of military intervention in political governance was gone for good.
The former Chief of Defence Staff praised the Chief of Army staff for his forward-thinking in embracing modern technology in the establishment of Operations Room in all Nigerian Army Formations. He commended the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army Major General Anthony Bamidele Omozoje for the State-of-the art Operations Room.
He noted that the last time he saw an operations room so well equipped was in the United States as a young Captain several years back at the Infantry School. He, therefore, commended 2 Division for the exceptionally high standard in its training activities and conduct of operations across its area of responsibility. He stated that he was proud to note that the Nigerian Army he commanded several years ago had gone up several notches from what they used to know in his days. He said it was gratifying to the older generation that the Nigerian Army was in capable and worthy hands.
The retired general appealed to the Nigerian Army to continue to be an instrument of national unity for the defence of the country’s democracy and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, reviews the factors that led to #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria resulting in unquantifiable losses in human and capital leading to government official offering remedies. The Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, during the week was in Lagos for on-the-spot assessment of the level of destruction. NAOSRE’s Secretary, Dayo Bamgbala who was on tour with the IG, presents the report
While preparations were in top gears for a professional and peaceful policing of the entire length and breadth of Nigeria in view of the yuletide season that usually attracts unusual traffic, the Nigeria Police Force and indeed, security agents in Nigeria had to fall back on its reservoir of strategy to deal with sudden protests over Police brutality.
Within days, what started as isolated protests against the police snowballed into a national showdown.
The protesters made specific demand on President Muhammadu Buhari and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Abubakar Mohammed to terminate the Special Anti Robbery Squad, a Nigerian police unit that has been tasked over the past three decades with fighting violent crime, including banditry and kidnapping. The protest was aptly tagged #ENDSARS.
The public outrage over the impunity of SARS was triggered by the reported shooting of a young Nigerian in Ughelli, Delta state.
Home and abroad, lots of high profile Nigerians including celebrities took up the cause to #EndSARS.
The government swung into action, disbanding SARS and assuring that “Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt.”
All that fell on deaf ears. By the time normalcy returned, lots of lives had been maimed and lost. Properties burnt and in some cases vandalized including police formations.
In Lagos for instance, the loss in human, business and property are unquantifiable, prompting leadership at all levels to embark on mitigating dive to alleviate the consequential sufferings.
First was the governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who visited the Lagos State Police Command with a promise of welfare for officers and men including replacing burnt operational vehicles and buildings.
During the week, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu was in Lagos for on the spot assessment of damages across police formations in the State.
The IG encouraged the officers to put behind them the unfortunate #EndSars protests, which was hijacked by hoodlums and led to the loss of Police officers and destruction of properties of the Nigerian police force.
After the traditional official courtesy visit to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the IG encourage police personnel not to be discouraged by the unprecedented events. He tasked officers to brace up for the duty of policing and securing Nigeria. He reminded the demoralised officers of their training which prepared them for such risks.
The IGP, who was in Lagos with other senior officers, begun the on-the-spot assessment from Makinde Police Division in Mafoluku, where the station and barracks were burnt by hoodlums in the community.
From there the IGP and the other senior police officers moved to Orile Police Station, and then Ebute Ero Division after which the IGP moved to assess the damage at the Iga Idunganran, the official residence of the Oba of Lagos.
The IGP also visited the private residence of Oba Rilwan Akiolu where he had a private session with him before moving to the Ikoyi, Police Hospital to see some of the policemen injured during the #EndSars crisis. Speaking with newsmen during his tour around affected areas in Lagos, Adamu assuaged officers and men of adequate makeup of losses.
“Lagos seems to be the epicentre where the incidents took place. The amount of destruction is more in Lagos than in any other state. I am here to commiserate with the governor of Lagos State and the people of the state on the amount of destruction to public property and private businesses.
“My visit is also to see the police stations that were destroyed and talk to officers and men of the Nigeria Police and encourage them not to be demoralised by the events that took place where they were attacked and police stations destroyed.
“They are specially trained to take this kind of risks because, by the nature of police job, they are exposed to this type of risk. Now that this has happened, it shouldn’t discourage us from performing our constitutional duties, he said.
Continuing, the IG stressed that “Apart from the police stations destroyed, private businesses were destroyed; even the palace of Oba of Lagos was destroyed. I would urge the citizens to set up protocol before embarking on any protest to avoid miscreants’ hijack. The moment you allow that the intent of the protest will be defeated as in the case of this peaceful protest we witnessed.”
At the Ikeja Police Command Headquarters, the IGP recapped the incident that led to the protest. He recalled that it was engineered by fake news over the supposed death of a civilian in Delta State.
Adamu said: “The #EndSARS protest was engineered by fake news that came out of Delta State where the local security outfit called Operation Delta Safe in routine stop-and-search accosted some individuals.
“Out of guilt, one of them decided to bolt out of the vehicle and an individual who wanted to spread mischief took a video of the incident and posted it on social media that the police had killed somebody.
“That led to protests in Delta State and in the course of our investigation, we found out that nobody was killed and SARS was not involved. But then with the use of social media, everything went so wide to the extent that Lagos picked it and it became a serious matter; it became the epicentre of the EndSARS group that started in 2017.
“They resuscitated it and came up with the campaign against #EndSARS. They came with five demands and after about four days of protest, the authorities acceded because it could lead to reform of the SARS itself.
“Our expectation was that after that, they would leave the streets but they did not. Every security agency knows that when people come out to protest without observing the protocol; you stay too long on the streets protesting, there is always a tendency for protests to become violent.”
Commending the policemen, IGP said: “When the police are viciously attacked by hoodlums in this manner that we have seen the tendency is for the police to be provoked and they have the power and capacity to repel.
“But you showed maximum restraint by not using maximum force to repel the miscreants that went about destroying property and killing people here and there.
“That restraint and resilience you have shown that no amount of provocation will lead you to give credence to police brutality. That has turned the table against the protesters and everyone knows that you were professional in handling the protests, which subsequently turned violent.”
Adamu, acknowledged that in every organisation there must be few that are bad. Reconnecting the president’s speech in support of the police, Adamu said: “The vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and livelihood of Nigerians and we will continue to support them to do their best.”
“Now that this has happened, it shouldn’t discourage us from performing our constitutional duties. It is true that some of them, their morale has been dampened but the visit is to encourage you not to relent in performing their constitutional duties to protect lives and properties,” Adamu said.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, appealed to IGP to further enhance better service delivery with the provision of anti-riot equipment and non-lethal weapons.
He urged the IGP to consider and approve posthumous special promotions for the police personnel who lost their lives to the Lagos unrest.
Odumosu further appealed to IGP to make additional anti-riot equipment and four water cannons available to the command to make the management and control of riots easier and more professional.
It is however learnt that Hakeem Odumosu’s requests are being looked into by the police hierarchy.
…CP charges DPO to reciprocate by making good use of the vehicle to ensure safety and security of his area of responsibility
The Coalition of Concern Youth Agitating for Peaceful Coexistence led by the National Coordinator Rt. Hon. Zainab Tijjani Baba presents an Award of Excellence to the Commissioner of Police Kano State Command CP Habu A. Sani, psc.
In her speech, she said they have traversed to many States in the country especially during the Endsars Protest Period, but Kano Police Command under the leadership of CP Habu ( Kalamu-Waheed) deserved all forms of commendations in terms of ensuring peace and peaceful coexistence in the State. Further stating that the award is in Recognition of the CP’s selfless service and promoting peaceful coexistence in Kano State.
While responding, CP Habu A. Sani, psc appreciates the coalition as one the great partners in sustaining peace in the State. He commended their efforts especially in youth sensitization and enlightenment.
Also PCRC Dakata Division Kano in conjunction with Animal Care Consult Nig Ltd refurbished Police Patrol Vehicle. The Chairman Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Dakata Division Alhaji Saleh Kwalam while handing over the patrol vehicle to the CP, stated that; they are satisfied with the activities of the police in their area and they are ready to continuously give all the necessary support and assistance needed.
In his remark, CP Habu A. Sani, psc stated that whoever resides in Kano must witness the robust Community Policing Engagements under the directives of the Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni. Stating that the essence of Community Policing is working with people to ensure safety and security. He handed over the patrol vehicle to the DPO of Dakata Division, CSP Tasi’u Kore Saleh and charged him to reciprocate by securing his area of responsibility.
On behalf of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni officers and men of Kano State Police Command, the CP thank them for their support, prayers and cooperation. And that the command will remain steadfast in carrying out its policing mandate.
DSP ABDULLAHI HARUNA, PPRO,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
KANO STATE.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama, has revealed that the landlord of the property where the Nigerian Embassy in Hungary is located, is threatening to evict them.
Onyeama made this disclosure while defending the ministry’s 2021 budget at the House of Representatives in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister also claimed the ministry needs N1.6billion to move ambassadors and pay officers N3.7billion.
“Just on Monday, the ambassador in Hungary called to say they are going to throw them out from the chancery building. That the landlord is coming and that they do not have the money to pay,” NAN quoted him to have said.
“And we get that from a lot of missions across the world and that is not a sustainable way of running foreign service.
“Then this exchange rate differential with the CBN is really something we need to address once and for all.
“It is not so easy, all of these things are computed in naira and all the payments abroad are in dollars and once the exchange rate is changed, it never goes the other way, it always goes up, it never comes down vis-a-vis the dollar.
This means immediate shortfall for all our missions
The Lekki Concession Company, operators of the Lekki toll gate, has submitted video footage recorded by its surveillance camera on the night of October 20, 2020, when soldiers allegedly opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate.T
The Managing Director of LCC, Abayomi Omomuwa, submitted the video footage on Tuesday to the Judicial Panel of Cnquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to probe the Lekki shootings as well as complaints of human rights abuses against members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Tendering the video footage to the panel, Omomuwa said, “I can confirm that inside here is the video footage that our CCTV was able to record for the 20th of October.”
Explaining why the camera stopped working, Omomuwa said, “The major cause is because of network.”
“I can confirm categorically we never, ever, tampered with the CCTV. That is why we can get the footage.
“It remained there until about 8pm when it was tampered with and we couldn’t get anything.”The panel had last week paid an unscheduled visit to the Lekki toll gate as well as the military hospital in the Ikoyi area of Lagos. An official of the hospital, Brigadier General AI Taiwo, who took the panel members round the facility, said the morgue has been under renovation since October 2019.
The controversy about the ownership of Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the organization running the Lekki toll-gate where Lagos former Governor, Fashola recently find a hidden camera need to be put to rest. Though the ownership of the LCC has been linked to many but we can tell you for a fact that the Chairman of the board of the company that was established in year 2006 is occupied by Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, a very close friend of the former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works and Housing Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Dr. Olowolafe is a 1984 graduate of Medicine from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, after which he worked as in the health care industry across various parts of South Western Nigeria before he co-founded Deux Project Limited, a Nigerian civil engineering, construction, consultancy, and maintenance company as a partnership with Dr. Olatunde in 2000.
He’s a major investor and leader in Public Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects and this include him serving as Chairman of Lekki Concession Company and Eko Rail. He’s also the Chairman of GZ Industry Limited, the only can manufacturer serving the Nigerian market.
Sources close to the government of former Governor Fashola can attest to the two forming a bound that sees the then Governor entrust the medical doctor turned contractor with many things. The governor is said to have made popular a statement over the years whenever any major developmental contracts comes up for mention in Lagos Council Meetings then which is, “I think Lafe can do it, I trust him”.
Dr. Tunji Olowolafe
Those in the government then says Dr. Lafe as he was fondly called in the corridor of power then was Lagos biggest contractor during Fashola’s time as Governor and we can confirm they are still pretty close going by the heartfelt message he penned during this year birthday celebration of the Minister of Works and Housing in June.
Olowolafe in his piece of eulogy to the former governor “As governor and minister, BRF always championed a Pan-Nigerian, development-oriented style of leadership, everything he does revolve around this idea. I am yet to observe so closely any leader in his generation possessing such passion for making life better for as many people as possible”.
With the event that happened in a past not too long ago and the relationship between Fashola and Dr, Lafe, the feat to miraculously discover a camera on the premises of the toll-gate is seen as a deliberate attempt by the minister to take the heat off his friend.
