Nigerians Criticize FCT Police Spokesperson’s Call For Public Appreciation

Obasempire reports that Nigerians have condemned the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, for urging citizens to acknowledge the Force’s efforts.

In a statement on X on Thursday, Adeh noted that although the Force risks their lives to safeguard the welfare and property of Nigerians, they continue to face criticism.

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“I’ve come to realise that police work is often a thankless job. Despite all we do, including risking our lives, we still face criticism from the public. Our officers are out there day and night, ensuring the safety of citizens, yet their efforts often go unnoticed,” her statement reads.

Her statement has, however, attracted severe criticism from Nigerians, with many alleging that the Force does not deserve commendation because of the prevalent corruption in the Force.

Chronicle NG highlights some of the reactions of Nigerians to Nigerians to the police PRO’s statement.

Tobi Akinbo J, “Madam, it is God that protects Nigerians, not police. You protect politicians; it’s understandable. You can’t reap thank you where you didn’t sow.”

Sayeen Mainamdu: “Madam police are only protecting politicians, while citizens are paying police to protect them, so nothing comes for free.”

Tonye Barcanista, “Maybe you will be appreciated when you focus on your real job instead of desperately seeking social media fame and validation.”

Prince Somorin Osifeso, “Madam, you knew the job before you applied for it. If you are after a cushy, safe job, then go apply to be a librarian. Only have to worry about paper cuts.

“I want selfless warriors in the police department, not people that want the public to kneel down and lick their boots.”

Maetrix Ogbu, “If it’s written in your job description on your employment letter that service users ‘must’ show police personnel’s appreciation after police services are rendered, then you may have a case.

“If it isn’t written on your job description, I am afraid to inform you that you deserve to be given a query for demanding appreciation of any kind from service users in order to carry out your fully paid jobs. Remember, you willingly accepted your job offer.”

Ifedolapo, “Well, I understand how you feel about not being acknowledged for your efforts, but you can only speak for a few good police officers, as the majority of bandwagons are the ones bringing down the efforts of the few good ones. Something has to be done to change the narrative.”

Henry Nwokedi, “Most of the officers on the road don’t know their jobs; they are only out there to make money from motorists. I don’t trust the Nigerian police, and to the best of my knowledge, they are not working or risking their lives for me; rather, they are busy risking their lives for the politicians.”

Joy Arewa queen, “The rogue policemen overwhelm the few good ones. The Nigerian police has to do a lot of PR to clean up its image.”

Nsuhoreidem Nyongidem, “I understand that receiving a salary at the end of the month is a way of recognising your hard work and dedication. It can be frustrating when someone receives a salary without fulfilling their responsibilities.”

Myke Peters, “The police force is ideally a noble profession and should be respected; however, the police force in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. You guys should work on yourselves first, please.”

E. Okaraka, “I’m very surprised this is coming from a learned person like you. If you’re doing well and discharging your duty well without exploitation and corruption, Nigerians that I know are very appreciative, but you rather work for our common enemies (politicians)”

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Yusuf Lateef Onisona, “The responsibility of law enforcement goes beyond ensuring safety; it also involves maintaining trust with the community. Go by public poll or opinion, Nigerian police lack integrity and general acceptance.”

Mazi Joe Abuchi: “In Nigeria, the police is useless compared to other countries. In European countries, the police are respected like no tomorrow because of the law and order, unlike the Nigerian police out there collecting bribes here and there. So no regards to you people.”

Imiegha_moses, “But they get paid extra through extortions and illegal raids, which results in forced bail bonds. Don’t pretend you don’t know these things occur on a daily basis. The Nigerian citizens will not hesitate to cast their ‘no’ votes in a police referendum if it ever happens.”

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Eedris: Russian Flags Would Trigger Endless ‘Gwo Gwo’ Dance by Nigerian Army In Igboland

Obasempire reports that Eedris Abdulkareem, a former member of the defunct band The Remedies, has remarked that the Nigerian Armed Forces’ operation ‘Python Dance’ would have been trivialized if Russian flags were discovered with an Igbo person in the East.

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The veteran artist, responding to the surprising display of Russian flags by #EndBadGovernance protesters on his Instagram, noted that the reaction would have been different if Igbos were involved.

According to the multiple award-winning musician, in that scenario, Python Dance would have been a farce, turning into a relentless ‘gwo gwo’ dance in that region.

‘‘Let’s assume that the Russian flag was found with an Igbo man? Python Dance will be a joke, it would be a ceaseless ‘gwo gwo dance,’’ Eedris wrote on his Instagram page.

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Fugitive Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Seeks Asylum In Niger Republic

Obasempire reports that fugitive former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello is seeking political asylum in Niger Republic, following an arrangement facilitated by Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

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Bello, whose eight-year tenure in Kogi was marked by authoritarianism, violence, and alleged elimination of political rivals, has been evading capture since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a warrant for his arrest over accusations of embezzling over N80 billion.

Sources indicate that Matawalle has a close relationship with General Abdourahamane Tchiani’s military regime, which has assured protection for his investments in Niger.

Sources in Abuja and Niamey, the capital of Niger, reveal that Matawalle negotiated the arrangement to keep Yahaya Bello secure in Niger, with representatives of Tchiani’s military junta involved in the discussions.

“Part of the deal involves the former Kogi Governor investing in Niger Republic and paying millions of unspecified sums to support his asylum.

“The asylum will guarantee his free movement in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali, the three countries with military governments and bilateral relations,” a source privy to the development told our correspondent in confidence.

Recall that after Yahaya Bello was smuggled out of his home in Zone 4, Wuse District Abuja, by his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo when officials of the EFCC arrived to arrest him, he has not been seen again in public.

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Matawalle, a close friend of GYB as the ex-Kogi State is fondly known, arranged an asylum for him, allegedly using military personnel under his watch to smuggle him through Kebbi state via illela border with two dark tinted hilux pick up vans and a Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle.

Credible intels accused Matawalle of aiding the military junta in Niger Republic with information from the Nigerian government in exchange for protection of his huge investment in the tiny country running into millions of dollars.

Some of the offshore investments are allegedly proceeds from the financial windfall from the office of ex- National Security Adviser, Col Ibrahim Dasuki, oil bunkering and looting of Zamfara State resources where he served as Governor for four years.

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House Proposes 25-Year Term For Attacking Schools, Sabotaging Education

Obasempire reports that the House of Representatives is proposing a 25-year prison term, a fine of N15 million, or both for anyone convicted of attacking or disrupting schools, abducting or holding students or teachers hostage with the aim of undermining educational progress in the country.

According to the House, if the offence results in death, the convicted individual will face the death penalty.

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This proposal is outlined in a bill aimed at criminalizing actions that damage public or private infrastructure due to sabotage against Nigeria’s security and national interests, among other issues.

The proposed legislation, titled the ‘Counter Sabotage Bill 2024’ (HB1651), is sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Introduced in parliament on July 23, 2024, the bill is currently awaiting a second reading to debate its general principles.

The bill also includes a fine of N10 million or a 25-year prison term, or both, for those convicted of aiding, funding, inciting, supporting, or procuring others to sabotage the Federal Government or a state.

Furthermore, the proposed legislation prescribes life imprisonment, without an option of fine, for any person convicted for intentionally setting “fire on a farm or plantation in Nigeria with intention to sabotage food security in Nigeria. While a person who rustles, destroys or kills animals commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of seven years or to a fine of N3 million or to both.”

According to the bill, “A person who sets fires on the road either with tyres or other inflammable materials to obstruct or for the purpose of celebration and causes damage to the road, whether or not the burning of fire was for an unlawful purpose, commits an offence of sabotage under this Bill and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of three years or both.”

It stated that in the event the action “causes injury to a person or damage to property, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N5million or imprisonment for a term of seven years or both, while the offender shall, in addition, to the penalty prescribed, be liable on conviction to pay adequate compensation to the victim of the offence.”

The bill added that if the action results in the death of a person, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to death.

Similarly, Section 4(1) of the proposed legislation stipulates that “A person who engages in a conduct that destroys or affects any water treatment facility or causes the facility to shut down, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to life imprisonment without an option of fine.” However, when the offence results in the death of a person, the offender shall on conviction be liable to death.

Also, Section 5(1) of the bill prescribes a fine of N15 million or imprisonment for a term of 25 years or both for any person convicted for blowing up a gas pipeline, oil pipeline, electricity facility or water supply pipeline, and disrupting the supply of gas, oil, electricity, petroleum products, or water supply. Nonetheless, when the offence results to the death of a person, the offender, on conviction, shall be liable to death.

Section 6(1) of the bill provides for a fine of N25 million or imprisonment for a term of 20 years or both for a contractor or foreign company “that abandons work intentionally on a critical national infrastructure without reasonable cause in order to damage the facility or project and jeopardise the security and progress of Nigeria.

In addition, the contractor or foreign company shall be blacklisted from doing business in the country.

Furthermore, the bill in Section 7 states that: “A person who uses cyber means by hacking or corrupting data, or by installing malware that destroys critical national data or systems or prepositions a hostile activity to take place at a future date to the detriment of Nigeria’s national security and interest, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of 15 years or both.”

Similarly, the proposed legislation prescribes life imprisonment, without an option of fine, for anyone convicted of hijacking or disrupting the flight of an aircraft, as well as disrupting the operation of a train. Nevertheless, when the action results in the death of a person, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to death.

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Sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the bill states that, “A person who destroys a ship or vessel belonging to the government of Nigeria or a private ship or vessel operating within the Nigerian waters, or a naval ship belonging to the Nigerian Navy, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life without an option of fine.

“A person, who, with intent to prejudice the safety, security or defence of Nigeria (a) impairs the efficiency or impedes the working of any ship, vehicle, aircraft, arms, munitions, equipment, machinery, apparatus or atomic or nuclear plant; or (b) damages or destroys any property which is necessary to keep intact for the safety or health of the public, commits an offence of sabotage and is liable, on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years, or to a fine of N15 million or to both.

“A person, who trespasses on, injures, or destroys any of the works, property or materials of any submarine, mine or torpedo, or fortification or harbour defence system owned, constructed or in the process of construction by Nigeria; interferes with the operation or use of any such submarine, mine, torpedo, fortification or harbour-defence system, or violates any order or regulation issued under an the Act of the National Assembly governing persons, or vessels within the limits of defensive sea areas for the purpose of national defence, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both. Where the violation of subsection (1) results in the death of a person, the offender shall be liable on conviction to death.”

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Oyo Civil Groups Criticize Tinubu’s Handling Of #EndBadGovernance Protests

Obasempire reports that civil society groups in Oyo State have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration regarding the management of the #EndBadGovernance protests, including the deaths of unarmed demonstrators.

This was conveyed in a statement endorsed by Prof. Ademola Aremu on behalf of the Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All Workers’ Convergence, Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), CSATF, NATA/ITESIWAJU OYO, and PAM.

Read more: Protest Against Hardship To Continue Despite President’s Call For Dialogue

The statement observed that the government’s attempts to discredit the protests were unsuccessful.

“This is a victory for the Nigeria working but suffering people. It has clearly shown that Nigerians are not slaves who would be told to surrender their fundamental and democratic rights to resist anti-poor policies. It has also demonstrated that no elected office holder is greater than the citizens of the country,” the statement read.

The groups frowned on the killing of protesters in some states, saying the violence experienced in some places were “largely instigated and provoked by members of the capitalist ruling class in these states either with the security agencies or hired political thugs to drown the movement in blood like they did during the EndSARS”.

They lambasted President Tinubu for failing to address concerns raised by Nigerians in the protest.

They said, “This to us is another gain of the protest except that none of the demands of the protest was addressed in the president national broadcast.

“As far as we are concerned, the national broadcast is just a mere justification for all of the neo-liberal policies responsible for the huge scale of pain and pangs Nigeria working people are going through at the present time.”

The groups also argued that the projects listed by President Tinubu do not have the capacity to bring any significant relief to the masses.

The statement said, “Aside from this, we note that none of the planned projects enumerated in the national broadcast has the potential to bring any significant relief and respite to the masses of the Nigeria working people.

“All achievements highlighted in the national broadcast failed to individually and collectively translate into any meaningful improvement in the life of the working people across the country.

“This is an indication that President Tinubu-led government will not be willing to accede and attend to any of the demands of our coalition except if it is challenged with struggle which is well drawn, determined and well-coordinated.

“Beyond the current ‘end bad governance protest,’ we require a bigger, broader and disciplined movement of the working people and youths for a better Nigeria.”

They also vowed to work with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the media to form a movement aimed at ensuring that Tinubu’s administration accedes to the demand of the people.

Some of the demands listed are: “Immediate reversal of the pump price of petrol to N197, repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products.”

Read more: Soyinka Criticizes Tinubu’s Address And Handling Of Protest

They also demanded an immediate reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs including renationalisation of the power sector “under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people”.

Other demands include placing political office holders on the salary scale and allowances earned by the civil servants, free education at all levels and reversal of current regime of fee hike across public tertiary institutions.

The group also urged the national leadership of the NLC and the TUC to convene a Joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a 48-hour nationwide strike and street protests to support the #EndBadGovernance protests.

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Police Visit Umucheke After Attack That Killed Eight Eze Cabinet Members

Obasempire reports that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, accompanied by Onuimo LGA Sole Administrator Dr. Emeka Obi, Major AI Maikarifi representing the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Commandant NSCDC Comdt. Mathew Ovye, and other security personnel, visited Umucheke Community in Onuimo LGA on Saturday for an on-site evaluation of the tragic event that resulted in the deaths of over eight members of the Eze Umucheke Cabinet.

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A statement issued Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, indicated that the victims were brutally killed by assailants suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN.

CP Danjuma used the visit to extend condolences to the victims’ families and the community over their tragic losses.

He pledged that security forces in the state are collaborating to capture those responsible for the heinous act and ensure they face severe legal consequences.

It was noted that on Saturday evening, armed attackers killed Hyginus Ohazuruike, the President General of Umucheke Okwe Autonomous Community in Onuimo LGA.

The assault also resulted in the deaths of six village chiefs from the same community.

An unnamed local reported that the attackers, who arrived by vehicle, struck while the victims were meeting at the President General’s shop in the community market.

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The source recounted, “The gunmen arrived and opened fire, killing the President General and six village heads, after which they set the location ablaze.”

The motive behind the attack remains unknown, as no one knew the agenda of the meeting. According to the source, the gunmen arrived, opened fire, killed the village chiefs, and set the place on fire before fleeing.

Following the attack, the village has been deserted as residents fled their homes in fear. Emeka Obi, the sole administrator of the LGA, confirmed the killings and urged residents to remain calm while condemning the violence.

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Vandals Steal Equipment Worth Millions From Katsina Church During Protest

Obasempire reports that at least 205 chairs, musical instruments, and other equipment valued at millions of naira were reportedly stolen by vandals in Katsina State on the first day of the ongoing nationwide planned peaceful protest against adversity.

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Vandals targeted a Living Faith Church in the Daura Local Government Area, making off with 205 chairs, musical instruments, and other valuable items worth millions of naira.

Pastor David Sarki, who oversees the church, informed our correspondent in Katsina on Sunday that the church service had to be canceled because of the incident.

He said, “Because the hoodlums took everything inside the church on the first day of the protest, they decided to worship at their various home cells.

“We have two security personnel working in the church; one was on duty while the other was off. When the protest began around 10:00 am, the hoodlums just diverted to the church, many of them in Keke Napep (tricycle), broke the door and windows and entered the church auditorium.

“They took everything inside the church auditorium, including the wall digital clock, musical instruments, pulpit, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs, a desktop computer at the reception, and a scoreboard where the accountant usually kept church documents. They scattered everything.

“Three churches were their target. They succeeded in invading the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life, but couldn’t gain access to the third one, which is the Anglican Church, because of the strong protection at the gate.”

He added, “We have informed the police and the army about it, and the police told us yesterday that they have made some arrests.

“I am surprised by this attack. When we are thinking about ending bad governance protests, which have now escalated to the invasion of churches, it is something that everyone should seriously condemn. It is not food that we store in the house of God; it is a place of worship. Why is it only a church? The government should come to the reality that they are serving humanity, and God will judge us all, whether political or religious leaders.

“My prayer for the perpetrators is that they should repent from what they are doing because for you to enter a church, a place of worship, is wrong, and you know you are not fighting, man. They should seek repentance. I know God is forgiving, and He will forgive them.”

Read more: Soyinka Criticizes Tinubu’s Address And Handling Of Protest

Similarly, the Pastor in charge of Power of Resurrection in Katsina State, Nelson Onyekachuku, whose church was also invaded by the hoodlums during the protest in Katsina town, lamented the vandalisation of the church windows as the hoodlums could not gain access to the building due to the iron protectors of the church gate.

Onyekachuku, who is also the former state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Katsina, condemned the action entirely, noting that they should not add to the pain of the church.

He called on the government to change its policy, address the issues of the people and always ensure the protection of the church whenever such an incident happens.

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Soyinka Criticizes Tinubu’s Address, Handling Of Protest

Obasempire reports that Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s national address concerning the ongoing protests throughout the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Soyinka voiced his dismay and apprehension about the government’s response to the protests.

Read more: Lagos Governor Condemns “IgboMustGo” Protest, Warns Against Division

Soyinka observed that while the presidential address detailed the government’s corrective measures since its inception, it failed to adequately address the management of the protests.

He denounced the use of live ammunition and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators, calling it a “regression” that recalls colonial-era acts of contempt.

Soyinka said, “I set my alarm clock for this morning to ensure that I did not miss President Bola Tinubu’s impatiently awaited address to the nation on the current unrest across the nation.

“His outline of government’s remedial action since inception, aimed at warding off just such an outbreak, will undoubtedly receive expert and sustained attention both for effectiveness and in content analysis.

My primary concern, quite predictably, is the continuing deterioration of the state’s seizure of protest management, an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short.

“Such short-changing of civic deserving, regrettably, goes to arm the security forces in the exercise of impunity and condemns the nation to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of resentment and reprisals.

“Live bullets as state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest.

Hunger marches constitute a universal S.O.S, not peculiar to the Nigerian nation. They belong indeed in a class of their own, never mind the collateral claims emblazoned on posters.

“They serve as summons to governance that a breaking point has been reached and thus, a testing ground for governance awareness of public desperation.

The tragic response to the ongoing hunger marches in parts of the nation, and for which notice was served, constitutes a retrogression that takes the nation even further back than the deadly culmination of the watershed ENDSARS protests.

“It evokes pre-independence – that is, colonial – acts of disdain, a passage that induced the late stage pioneer Hubert Ogunde’s folk opera BREAD AND BULLETS, earning that nationalist serial persecution and proscription by the colonial government.”

Soyinka noted that the “nation’s security agencies cannot pretend unawareness of alternative models for emulation, civilized advances in security intervention”.

He said, “Need we recall the nationwide 2022/23 editions of what is generally known as the YELLOW VEST movement in France? Perhaps it is time to make such scenarios compulsory viewing in policing curriculum.

In all of the coverage that I watched, I did not catch one single instance of a gun leveled at protesters, much less fired at them even during direct physical confrontations.

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“The serving of bullets where bread is pleaded is ominous retrogression, and we know what that eventually proves – a prelude to far more desperate upheavals, not excluding revolutions.

“The time is long overdue, surely, to abandon, permanently, the anachronistic resort to lethal means by the security agencies of governance. No nation is so under-developed, materially impoverished, or simply internally insecure as to lack the will to set an example.

All it takes is to recall its own history, then exercise the will to commence a lasting transformation, inserting a break in the chain of lethal responses against civic society”.

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Lagos Governor Condemns “IgboMustGo” Protest, Warns Against Division

Obasempire reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has strongly denounced the effort by an unidentified group to organize the “IgboMustGo” demonstration in Lagos, calling it irresponsible and perilous rhetoric.

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Sanwo-Olu, in a brief statement signed by Gboyega Akosile, his special adviser on media and publicity, cautioned Lagos residents against permitting any group to foster division between them and other communities residing in Lagos.

The statement reads: “The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag #Igbomustgo protest from 20th to 30th August 2024.

The governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.

Read more: Lagos Police Confirm No Detentions Over Ongoing Protest Against Hardship

The governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the state.”

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Lagos Police Confirm No Detentions Over Ongoing Protest Against Hardship

Obasempire reports that the Lagos State Police Command has announced that it is currently not detaining anyone for taking part in the ongoing demonstration against difficulties in the state.

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The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, mentioned this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos, indicating that no demonstrator is in their custody.

“All protesters arrested on Thursday were released same Thursday.

“The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, called the State CID to order for their release,” he said.

One of those leading the protests, Inibehe Effiong, had told the gathering at Gani Fawehinmi Park that no fewer than 12 protesters were arrested on Thursday.

Effiong, however, later corroborated the police spokesperson’s claim that all those arrested had been released.

He commended the police and other security agents for their professional handling of the protest in the state.

The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters on Friday gathered in front of Park in Ojota for the second day.

Read more: IPOB Warns Enugu Governor, Army Against RUGA Land Seizures

NAN reports that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police was present at the protest to supervise and prevent any potential takeover by hoodlums.

The Commissioner of Police was reported to have provided water and snacks for the protesters.

The protesters earlier suspended their agitations for a while to observe Jumat prayers at the park.

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