Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has suspended all government activities for 72 hours in view of growing violence in the state.
The governor made this known today in a live broadcast.
This is coming some hours after eyewitnesses claimed armed uniformed men opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate area of the state on Tuesday evening.
He said, “Fellow Lagosians, in the sensitive mood and in the mood of the nation at this time, I have directed further that we have an immediate suspension of all state activities for the next three days, except those that are connected to the security activities in the state and the management of the current issues. I have also directed that at all public buildings within our reach that we lower the flag for the next three days as a mark of respect and solidarity for the protests.”
The United Kingdom has shut down its visa application centres in Nigeria over the crisis arising from #EndSARS protests in the country.
The UK made this known in a statement on its website.
The statement was titled, ‘Important: Closure of our Visa application centre’.
The statement read, “Due to the ongoing protest in Nigeria and for the safety of both staff and applicants, our Nigeria centres will be closed for 48 hours at a minimum.
“For applicants with booked appointments within this period, please you will need to reschedule your appointment for next week, from 26th October 2020.
“We will continue to post regular updates on this page, so please keep checking back for the latest information on reopening.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”
Nigerian Mixed Martial Art champion, Kamaru Usman has said President Buhari has failed after the reported shooting of EndSARS protesters yesterday in Lekki.
He lamented about the ongoing situation in the country stating that Buhari and the government has failed Nigeria.
In a sober video posted on his Twitter handle titled it “We need you now more than ever President Buhari”, Usman said what is going on in the country is tough and that all the killing and destruction ongoing in Nigeria has set the country back. Listen to the video below...
The Nigerian Army on its official twitter page announced that it has arrested a soldier who asked his colleagues not to shoot at #EndSARS protesters even if they are asked to do so.
The soldier now identified as Lance Corporal Harrison Friday, recorded a video begging his colleagues not to shoot at #EndSARS protesters. He wore a hood while recording the video.
In a post shared on its Twitter handle this morning October 21, the Nigerian Army says Harrison carried out 'cyber crime' and that he has now been arrested.
An update on the Monday’s jailbreak in Benin City showed that 1,993 inmates escaped from the Nigerian Correctional Centres in Edo State, the Federal Government has said.
The government said that besides freeing the inmates, those who attacked the facilities looted the centres, including the weapons in their armoury.
Providing updates on the incident, the Director of Press in the Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga said: “They came in large number, bearing dangerous weapons and attacked the officers on guard duty. They were unmistakable on their mission, which was to force the cells open, free the inmates and carry out other nefarious activities.
“Two Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Custodial Centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked yesterday by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS aegis, freeing (at the last count) 1,993 inmates in legal custody and looting the centres, including the weapons in their armoury.”
Manga, however, said in a statement that the situation has been brought under control while security in and around the custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up.
He added that investigation has commenced on the matter to determine the full impact of the attack.
Gbagada boys this morning turned back an Army van and those they escorted (the van behind), saying they won't pass the Gbagada express road after killing many in Lekki last night.
The boys even accused the officers of trying to bribe them with N2000 so that they can let them pass.
Watch the video yourself below....
Gbagada boys turn back Army van and those they are escorting. They said, you killed us in Lekki yesterday, you won't pass this express as they reject their "N2000 bribe" pic.twitter.com/3JJ2lZkaRY
Beautiful Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, has taken to her Instagram to make a three-minute video telling her friends and fans not to cry for her that she is alive.
Rumours went wild yesterday when her look alike protester was shot.
Emphasising that she is not at the hospital, as wildly spread, the actress said;
“So guys this is me, life and direct. Wow! I thank you so much, thank you so much to everyone that actually reached out to me. I am hale and hearty, there is nothing wrong with me I did not even go out today. Please do not cry for me, I am hale and hearty. There is nothing wrong with me. I am at home as you can see, I am not in the hospital; I am not in any kind of critical situation, look at me I am at home; I am hale and hearty guys. There is nothing wrong with me. Oh my God! I came back from road walk, I left my phones at home only for me to get back, I went into the shower. I decided to go through my phone and saw 300 missed calls. I was shocked.
Badmus continued with her show of appreciation, “To all my friends and fans. Thank you so much for checking up on me and looking out. Thank you my friends, family, celebrities, musicians, footballers, and everyone; I am hale and hearty. There is nothing wrong with me, I am not dead. They did not shoot me. I did not even go out, I was just around my estate there is nothing wrong with me, please do not panic. This fight is for all of us, we move still. We are tired but we know that the Lord will intervene. Guys, please do not panic, spread the word that I am not dead. I am alive. I am in a terrible state right now looking at everything happening online. It took me so much courage to come online but I have to let everyone know that I am fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with me. Eniola Badmus is alive, I am not dead. This fight is for everybody.”
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condemned the attack on #ENDSARS protesters by security forces on Tuesday evening in Lekki toll plaza.
He also announced suspension of all state activities for three days in solidarity with the ongoing #ENDSARS protests and agitations across the state.
He stated the flag at all government facilities will be flown half- mast in the next three days.
He made these disclosures in a live broadcast this morning where he also gave updates on the shootings of protesters.
According to Sanwo-Olu, he went out all night with members of his team and they visited hospitals, mortuaries to get first hand information on casualties
The governor said 24 of the injured were being treated at three hospitals- General Hospital (10); Reddington Hospitals (eight) and another hospital (six) adding that three of the victims had surgery and about four would be discharged today.
Appealing for calm, Sanwo-Olu apologised to the youths, reiterating their anger was justified.
He pleaded with parents/guardians to restrain their children/wards as government makes efforts to contain the situation.
USA’s Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, has called on President Buhari to desist from using violent measures on #EndSARS protesters.
Biden, in a statement today called on President Buhari to use dialogue in bringing about “a more just and inclusive Nigeria”.
“I urge President Buhari and the Nigerian military to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one in the violence.”
“The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.”
“I encourage the government to engage in a good faith dialogue with civil society to address these long standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria.” the statement read.
The Edo State Government has said that the 24-hour (round-the-clock) curfew imposed in the state on October 19, 2020, subsists and is active till further notice.
“As such, everyone is expected to remain indoors,” a statement made available to the media stated.
“Security agencies have been deployed to the streets to ensure full compliance and anyone found contravening the directive will be dealt with according to the law.
“Parents and guardians are urged to restrain their children, youths and wards from flouting the order, as security agencies will not spare any errant individual.”
According to the statement, the curfew was imposed yesterday when the #ENDSARS protests turned violent, leading to two jailbreaks and the burning of at least five police stations within the Benin metropolis, as well as various degrees of public disturbances in other major cities across the state.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, is currently meeting with the members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja.
The meeting holding at the Tafawa Balewa House headquarters of the ministry in Abuja, is expected to discuss the ongoing #EndSARS protests rocking the country.
Those attending the parley include the envoys of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, amongst others.
An invitation extended to journalists to cover the briefing was later withdrawn.
As violence continue to spring up in parts of the state, the Lagos State Police Command said security operatives have been deployed to quell any likelihood of insurrection.
It said the deployment also came on the heels of the 24-hour curfew declared by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu with effect from 4pm on Tuesday, October 20.
No fewer than five people have been feared killed in Ketu and Orile areas of the after violent clashes between thugs and policemen.
There were also reports of violence at Meiran, Ajegunle and Apapa areas of the state with residents blaming the police for instigating the situations.
It was gathered that police stations in Ajegunle were attacked as a spillover of the Orile fracas between policemen at Orile and hoodlums. Unconfirmed reports indicated that a trigger-happy cop opened fire indiscriminately and shot an Area Boy as well as a young man, a development that forced hoodlums to set fire on the Orile Police Station.
The incident soon escalated to Ijora, Ajegunle and Apapa with thugs attacking police stations and cops on sight.
In a statement by the spokesman for the command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police said no protests, gatherings or procession under any guise was allowed anymore in the state.
“Due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations including innocent Nigerians in Lagos State, and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm today October 20; the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the public that henceforth no protest or gathering or possession, under whatever guise, is permitted within Lagos State.
“In the light of the above, all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.
“The command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of Orile Police State today at about 10am, where some of our policemen were critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead.
“It’s crystal clear that the #ENDSARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who want to run down the state and the police command will resist such state of anarchy, unrest and brouhaha with all powers within the ambit of the law.
“While the command is resolute in sustenance of human rights and democratic tenets, the public is hereby warned to comply with the curfew and desist from any act of violence in the state as the command will resist such in totality,” he said.
The Senate has asked President Buhari to address the nation immediately on the current nationwide protests by youths against police brutality and bad governance.
The Senate also directed the police to offer protection to the #EndSARS protesters to prevent hoodlums from hijacking their genuine action.
The Senate decision was sequel to a point of order by Senator Biodun Olujimi, titled, “#EndSARS: The need for a comprehensive reform”
The federal lawmakers urged the protesters to stop their agitation on the streets while the Federal Government address their demands.
They also urged Buhari to immediately set up a judicial panel of enquiry made up of eminent Nigerians that would be respected by the youths to identify the notorious SARS operatives and ensure their arrest and prosecution
The Ondo State Government has directed all pupils/students in public and private schools to stay at home following the tension generated by the #EndSARS protests in the state.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu announced this through his official Twitter handle minutes ago.
He said “I have directed that all schools that resumed on Monday 19th October 2020 are closed for the meantime from tomorrow 21st October 2020 because of the engulfing nationwide protest and the need to ensure safety of our students and staff.”
“Parents and the public are to note this directive and all schools are to comply.
Any inconvenience is regretted, while the State Government would ensure resumption of our schools as soon as possible.”
Nollywood veteran actress, Joke Silva has revealed how she actually knew she was an adopted child.
She said her parents never told her, but she got to know by herself.
According to the 59-year-old actress she had wanted to embark on a journey, and since her mother wasn't home, she had to go and find her passport by herself.
She went in search of it inside her mother's personal box and the bubble was busted! She found her own adopted papers. She however didn't tell her mom she found it in order not to hurt her.
Her words, “I got to know years later when I wanted to travel and was looking for my passport where my mum kept it. Since she was not around, I opened the box in her absence and I saw my adoption papers. I never discussed it with my mum because I felt it was something that would hurt her, that was why, it was kept secret from me.”
This has been the question on many lips especially since most roads are blocked.
The OAP joined Nigerians who questioned the timing, especially Lagosians who are already out for their daily activities.
Tackling the timing on twitter, the media personality wrote;
''The government, the sick system, how can you announce a curfew when people are already out? What happens to those who can't get home before 4? You'll give power back to the police we are fighting against? Make it make sense #EndSARS''
