EndSARS protests turn violent

*Ground Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Abuja other states

*Protesters injure policemen, destroy 4 police vehicles in Lagos

*Police stations attacked, arms carted away

*Over 50 cars burnt down by hoodlums in Apo, Abuja

*EndSARS, Pro-SARS protesters clash in Abuja

THE nationwide anti-SARS protest in Nigeria, is getting worse and dangerous as many states were paralysed by the protest yesterday.

Ekiti State

In Ekiti State, youths took over all the major towns in the state, aside from Ado Ekiti.

All the strategic roads in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere and other major towns were blocked by the angry youths, comprising students, okada riders, commercial drivers, civil society bodies and other unemployed individuals.

Areas affected in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, are the Fajuyi Park, Okeyinmi, Ijigbo, Basiri, Matthew area, Ajilosun, among others.

The protesters, before now, converged on the popular Fajuyi roundabout, but the reverse was the case yesterday as all roads within the state capital and other communities across the state were barricaded by protesters.

Commercial activities were paralyzed, major markets in Ado metropolis and neighborhood markets, all the shops, including commercial banks and fuel stations in the state capital were shut down.  

Students in public and private schools, who had earlier resumed into schools, were hurriedly asked to return home to prevent being caught in the web.

Also, civil servants, who were on their way to work were stranded on the way while some of them were seen returning home in frustration.

Dada said: “Enough is enough, how can SARS operatives be killing people all over the place? How can a bag of rice be sold for N40,000? How can a governor buy votes to win reelection even when he has not done anything to justify his re-election?

“See how our youths were being killed every day. No job, no food, no house to live in. We are all suffering and we are saying these must stop.

“Petrol is now sold for N162 per litre and the electricity tariff has gone up. We are now forced to pay higher tariffs for total darkness. This is callous and it must stop.”

Protesters split into groups across Ibadan

Meanwhile, as the #EndSARS protests continued in Ibadan, Oyo State, the protesters have now split into various groups.

Unlike the previous protests where the youths assembled in one group, they have changed their tactics.

It was gathered that some of the protesters in various groups carried placards with inscriptions such as #EndSARS, #Endinsecurity; #EndKidnapping and many others.

All the roads within the metropolis were completely blocked. Early in the morning, the protesters were sighted at Sango-UI-Dugbe road, while some were between Dugbe and Mokola.

Protests also took place in places like Challenge, Orita Challenge, Apete, Eleyele, Agbarigo, Onireke, Agbowo and other places.

Unlike the previous ones, some Hausa youths in Sabo area of Ibadan, motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, commercial drivers also joined the protests.

They blocked all roads leading to Sabo, Adamasingba, Polytechnic road and others.

  Akure, Ondo on lockdown

Also, angry youths protesting #ENDSARS blocked entry points into Ondo State from Osun State, yesterday, causing gridlock.

The protest across the state capital was, however, peaceful.

The protesters erected canopies on the centre of Ilesa/Benin/Owo road by Oloko Junction, FUTA South Gate in Akure, thereby, causing gridlock on the axis.

A section of the roads was also diverted to a kitchen as female protesters among the protesters were cooking different foods for participants in the carnival-like protest.

Speaking with newsmen one of the protesters, Ayodeji Adegbenle  said: “You have not seen anything yet. We are just starting this protest, but we have made up our minds that we would die until Buhari addresses us.”

Protesters regroup, block Olaiya junction in Osun

Similarly, angry youths in Osogbo regrouped and demanded the prosecution of alleged killers of the two dead victims of Saturday’s violence.

The protesters blocked the popular Olaiya junction in the state capital, while a disc jockey supplied music to thrill participants.

The protesters, who marched from Old Garage to Olaiya around 1:45pm, displayed posters in solidarity to the deceased victims.

At about 6:35pm, the protesters lit their candles and marched to the Alekuwodo residents of one of the victims, identified as Mutiu (Fresh) with his brother and later headed to Oke-Abesu area of the town where the parents of the second victim resides.

Meanwhile, some other protesters also blocked Osogbo-Ogbomoso around Ojutu bridge in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state for hours, leading to gridlock in that part of the State.

Speaking at the protest ground, Olawale Bakare said: “Everyone that is being oppressed by the government should come out and join us. We will commence community sensitization, telling people that soon, we are going shut down the economy and commercial activities of this state. 

Protesters injure policemen, destroy 4 police vehicles in Lagos

The ongoing EndSARS protest, again, took a violent dimension, yesterday, in Lagos, as protesters allegedly attacked some policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, at Adekunle, Yaba area of Lagos, injuring 19 of them.  

Four vehicles belonging to the RRS were also destroyed by the protesters. The incident occurred about 10am. The policemen numbering 97, were being conveyed in four vehicles to their respective relief duty posts across the state when they ran into the protesters.

Sighting the policemen, the protesters began to chant "No Police, no Police." They hauled stones and broken bottles at the RRS operatives, who jumped out of their vehicles and scampered for safety. 

The injured policemen were reportedly rushed to the Police Clinic at Panti, Yaba, for medical attention.  

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the attack on the policemen, said: “The  Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has condemned the attack and urged officers and men of the command to remain calm while they continue to manage the situation professionally, as usual in the state.

“He further appealed to community leaders, parents and guardians, traditional rulers and religious leaders, to caution the youths against violence and any act that is capable of aggravating tension in the state, as such will be counter-productive.” 

Edo, Delta, Abuja

The #EndSARS protest in Edo and Delta states went awry yesterday, as no fewer that six persons died, while one life was also lost in Abuja, bringing total deaths  to eight.

Six of those killed resulted from the clash between suspected hoodlums masquerading as protesters and armed personnel at the Benin Correctional Centre and Oko Medium Security Prisons, as the hoodlums attacked the prisons and freed hundreds of inmates.

The casualty in Delta was a 12-year-old protester who fell from the lorry he clung on to and died instantly, while that of Abuja was a young protester stabbed on Saturday by some hoodlums but died yesterday from injuries sustained in the attack.

This came on a day #EndSARS and pro-SARS protesters clashed at the Central Business District in Abuja, propelling the Commissioner of Police FCT command, CP Bala Ciroma, to appeal for calm between both parties. Also yesterday, soldiers were deployed to all strategic points in Abuja where the protesters usually converged as well as all government assets, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, National Secretariat, among others.

Police stations attacked, arms carted away

Besides the prisons attack, it was gathered that hoodlums also attacked police stations at Ugbekun, Idogbo and Oba Market where they made away with arms and ammunition.

It was also learned that the Benin  prisons has a capacity for 700 inmates, while that of Oko had a capacity for 1,300, 120 of whom are condemned criminals.

It was gathered that four inmates were killed while trying to escape at Oko, while some escaped with gunshot injuries.

Two persons were also said to have  died of gunshots as the protesters engaged prison guards in gunfire in Benin prison.

The surging protesters at Oko were said to have overpowered the five armed guards at the Oko facility and had a free day looting all shops along the road leading to the prison. They reportedly carted away valuables from the offices of prison officials.

It was gathered that immediately after the attack on Benin Prisons, security was alerted at Oko but  calls to the Nigerian Army and the Police for reinforcement were not heeded hence the ease with which the suspected hoodlums overpowered the prison guards.

A prison source said: “They came in their thousands and their mission was to free inmates. They have been communicating with the inmates because even before they broke into the facility, the inmates were already rioting inside the place.”

At press time yesterday, the management of the Edo Command of the prisons is yet to issue an official statement.

Obaseki imposes curfew in Edo

As a result of the violent turn of events, the state government yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew in the first instance to check the excesses of the hoodlums masquerading as protesters.

A statement by Secretary to State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, said the curfew was to take effect from 4pm yesterday.

“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.

“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.

“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.

“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

   “The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order. Therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.”

Schools shut

The protests  shut pupils and students out of schools, following blockades mounted on streets which prevented vehicular movement and parents from accessing schools in the Edo State capital.

Consequently, most schools failed to  open, forcing some pupils and students who found their way to their schools early to return home.

Similarly, residents, workers, and traders  are having difficulties leaving their homes, even as many motorists and commercial drivers are off the roads for fear of being extorted by hoodlums who have clearly hijacked the initial peaceful protest.

Activist cautions government over jettisoning #EndSars demands

An activist and Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, condemned the hijack of the #EndSARS protest by suspected hoodlums and called on security agents to fish them out.

He, however, cautioned government not to use the situation to jettison the legitimate demands of the EndSARS protesters.

He said: “We are condemning the hijack of the legitimate protests but the government should separate this hijack from the genuine demands of the protesters and respond to them because we need the movement to protect our democracy, they are the voices and institutions we need.”

Commuters stranded

Activities of the protesters have continued to cause hardship for road users as the whole of Benin City was locked down. All major roads and adjoining streets were blocked as early as 6 am with bonfires and barricades. The few motorists who dared to drive had green leaves on their vehicles as a show of solidarity with the protesters.

Protests in Auchi, Igarra

In Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, the EndSARS protesters marched from Tomato Junction across the major streets of the town chanting #EndSARS slogans.

In Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, protesters armed with placards of various inscriptions, came out as early as 8am and blocked the Okene-Auchi-Benin highway.

The blockage caused a major traffic gridlock from the popular Jattu junction along the highway and extended beyond the Auchi Polytechnic main gate.

Some of the protesting youths used the situation to extort amounts of money from motorists, ranging from N200 to N1,000, depending on the type of vehicle.

#EndSARS, Pro-SARS protesters clash in Abuja

In Abuja, #EndSARS protesters clashed with their Pro-SARS counterparts in the Central Business District of the city. 

The clash came shortly after some armed policemen had used both water cannons and tear-gas to disperse the #EndSARS protesters who remained undeterred in the protest.

Confirming the clash and death of a protester who was stabbed by some hoodlums on Saturday,  FCT  Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said in a statement: “Preliminary investigation into the clash reveals that no life was lost.

“However, one vehicle was set ablaze during the clash. In view of this, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident.

“In another development, the command wishes to outrightly condemn the violent attack on a protester by unknown hoodlums along Kubwa axis on Saturday, October 17,2020.

“The hoodlums who infiltrated the ranks of the #EndSARS protest, attacked one Anthony Onome Unuode and left him with various degrees of injury which eventually resulted in death.

“While urging protesters to be law-abiding, remain peaceful in their conduct and shun all forms of violence, CP Bala Ciroma wishes to reassure residents of his unflinching commitment to the protection of lives and property within the FCT.”

Over 50 cars burnt down by hoodlums in Apo, Abuja

Following the protests against police brutality and extra-extra-judicial killings in the FCT yesterday, some hoodlums have burnt down over 50 cars at Apo Mechanic village in Abuja.

The cars, displayed for sale at a car mart, were set ablaze by thugs allegedly hired to disrupt the agitation for a comprehensive police reform by #EndSARS protesters.

It was gathered that the miscreants had attempted to attack the demonstrators at Apo during their rally on Monday morning. However, the protesters overpowered and repelled them

But by the time the hoodlums reinforced and came back to the scene, the #EndSARS protesters had dispersed.

Angered, the hoodlums attacked a car mart at Jesus Avenue, along Apo Mechanic Village and set it ablaze.

Meanwhile, those around the scene of the incident said the thugs vandalized other valuables in the area while harassing them.

Amateur videos of the mayhem surfaced on the internet on Monday night.

An eyewitness said: “The hoodlums began the attack around 3:30pm. My colleague and I were driving home when we saw people running helter-skelter near the mechanic village.

“We had to park our car on the premises of Apo Shoprite for safety reasons and run for our lives.

“We also saw those who set the cars ablaze brandishing machetes and small knives to intimidate and scare the people away.”

The source added that some policemen were in the area while the mayhem lasted. But, they were too few to stop the hoodlums.

12-yr old dies in Delta

In Delta State, a 12-year-old boy believe to be part of #EndSARS protesters died from injuries he sustained after he fell from a moving truck believed to be heading outside Sapele.

The teenager, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was said to have joined thousands of protesting youths who had stormed the streets in protest against the terror reign of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS.

“He jumped on a moving truck that was heading outside the town   and the next thing was that he fell from the back of the moving truck and before we could rush him to the clinic, he died.

The corpse of the teenager has been wrapped with the Nigeria flag, placed at the back of the truck on open display at the Amukpe area of Sapele, causing massive traffic gridlock.

Meanwhile, the thousands of #EndSARS protesters who stormed the Sapele end of Warri-Benin Highway, caused gridlock which rendered motorists and commuters stranded.

NHRC calls for prosecution of 35 indicted Policemen

Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday called for the prosecution of 35 police officers indicted in a report of the Presidential Investigation Panel on allegations of human rights violations against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

The call was made in Abuja when NHRC submitted the report to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,   SAN, for implementation.

Executive Secretary of NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu stated that the   report, among other things, contained names of 35 policemen who served under the disbanded SARS.

“The commission expects the AGF to consider their prosecution in accordance with the law. The submission of the report to the AGF is a gratifying point to the commission which went round the six geopolitical zones of the country to listen to various complaints by Nigerians against the then SARS.  There were discoveries and all were encapsulated in the report,” he stated.

In his response, Malami, who formally received the report, said government will implement the report in such a way that justice will be served to all parties concerned.

He said:  “Justice is not a one-way traffic.  We have a mandate to establish a constitutional order”, where the welfare and peaceful co-existence of citizens are prioritised against personal or group interest.

“The current administration had in the past put modalities in place to give the Police the support they need to improve their welfare and do their work professionally.

He added   that the Police Act 2020 has provided answers to the various problems affecting the Police force, including their operations and welfare as captured in the Police Trust Fund.

Malami restated that the federal government had been mindful of the totality of the interest, welfare, security and well-being of all citizens before the current agitations to reform the Police force.

According to him, government will continue to ensure the security and welfare of all citizens. 

NEF demands end to protests

Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has called for an immediate end to the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria, saying it now appeared that other interests had taken over these protests and were compounding  collective security of the nation. 

In a statement signed by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Forum said it was alarmed at criminal acts such as attacks on specific persons, emptying prisons, molesting innocent citizens and attacking policemen. 

The statement read: “We are very concerned that these acts of criminality suggest that other interests with criminal intent or subversive goals have taken over these protests,” the statement said.  It further called on the Federal Government to take steps to protect innocent citizens and honour its commitment to serious changes in the manner it handles our security. 

“We call on all leaders to take steps to lower tensions, engage young people to give them assurances that their cause is not lost, and close ranks to stop subversives from plunging the nation into deeper crises. We appeal once again to young Nigerians to salvage what they have achieved so far, and prevent opportunists and criminals from hijacking the good work they have accomplished.

“Northern Elders Forum has closely followed the protests which began as response to prolonged and widespread abuse by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and related issues on the need for higher levels of accountability by leaders and state institutions. The Forum had released a statement a week ago in which it drew attention to the fact that there were genuine grounds for anger at accumulated grievances around the security and welfare of Nigerians, especially in the North. We had advised that governments must embark on far-reaching changes and reforms, and introduce policies that should improve security and economic well-being of Nigerians.

“These protests have registered tremendous success, including acceptance of responsibility for the federal government to abolish SARS and undertake further action towards improving accountability of operatives and institutions. It was particularly noteworthy that young Nigerians led these protests in its early stages, and the Forum acknowledges the heroism of these young people who stood up to say, enough! We have also noted that tragically, some people have lost their lives in these protests.

“ Unfortunately it now appears that other interests have taken over these protests and are compounding our collective security. Like most Nigerians, the Forum is alarmed at criminal acts such as attacks on specific persons, emptying prisons, molesting innocent citizens and attacking policemen. We are very concerned that these acts of criminality suggest that other interests with criminal intent or subversive goals have taken over these protests. If these acts continue, as they will unless we bring these protests   come to an immediate end, every law-abiding citizen, including protesters who are pursuing legitimate goals, are in danger.The Forum does not believe that this is part of the agenda of the overwhelming majority of protesters.

“ The Forum therefore calls for an immediate end to these protests across the nation. It further calls on the federal government to take steps to protect innocent citizens and honour its commitment to serious changes in the manner it handles our security.We call on all leaders to take steps to lower tensions, engage young people to give them assurances that their cause is not lost, and close ranks to stop subversives from plunging the nation into deeper crises.We appeal once again to young Nigerians to salvage what they have achieved so far, and prevent opportunists and criminals from hijacking the good work they have accomplished.” Culled from Vanguard