Lekki Shooting: I Have To Prioritize The Welfare Of Victims – Sanwo-Olu [LEADERSHIP]
While Lagosians await the state government to give a statement on the shooting incident at Lekki tollgate, the state governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, said he was visiting victims at various hospitals.
Sanwo-Olu who disclosed this via his Twitter handle said, “It has taken me this long to make a statement because I have to prioritize the welfare of the victims of this very sad incident.
“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger. I have just concluded visits to hospitals with victims of this unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki.”
The governor, while giving an update, said, “There are currently 10 patients at the General Hospital, 11 at Reddington and four at Vedic; with mild to moderate levels of injuries while two are receiving intensive medical care. Three patients have been discharged and we will continue to monitor and ensure all patients get the best care.”
As the Governor of the state, Sanwo-Olu said he recognised that the buck stops at his table and assured that he will work with the federal government to get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilise all security operations to protect the lives of residents living in Lagos state, while adding that he will give a state broadcast in the morning.
Meanwhile, in the early hours of the shooting, ambulances were present at the scene, with the First cardiology, Premier Specialist Lekki, VICHS, St. Nicholas Hospital, George’s Memorial Medical Center, Lagoon Hospital and Reddington Hospital having surgeons on standby to give free treatments to victims from gun shot wounds sustained at Lekki toll gate.
Lagos, 5 Others Impose Curfew As IGP Deploys Anti-riot Squad [LEADERSHIP]
The #EndSARS protest turned out to be more violent yesterday, compelling Lagos, Plateau, Abia, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States to impose curfew to stem further escalation.
It was gathered that hoodlums hijacked the protest again and unleashed violence on innocent Nigerians.
This is even as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has deployed anti-riot police squad nationwide to remedy the situation.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, declared a 24-hour curfew in the state to quell the violence, blood bath and deaths from the #EndSARS protests in the state.
The governor in a statement said the move became necessary following the degeneration of the #EndSARS protests to pockets of violence across the state.
He said, ‘’I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state.
‘’As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #EndSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.
‘’I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.’’
But the curfew imposed by the governor did not help matters as pandemonium broke out last night in the Lekki Toll Gate Area of the state.
LEADERSHIP learnt that armed security personnel stormed the scene of the #EndSARS protests and opened fire at protesters.
There violence, it was gathered, recorded casualties, with many sustaining gunshot wounds.
In some videos from eyewitnesses at the scene of the incident, some persons were seen bleeding seriously, while others tried to extract the bullets.
Others were seen administering CPR to some injured persons, to resuscitate them.
Earlier at the Lekki Toll Gate which has been one of the major converging points, peaceful and unarmed protesters gathered in large numbers around 5:00 pm, an hour after the curfew was to have commenced.
The situation, however, took a turn for the worse around 7:00 pm when the security operatives stormed the area and started shooting sporadically.
In Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi imposed 24-hour curfew on the state over the continued ENDSARS protest.
A statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, noted that hoodlums have capitalised on the protest to rape, assault, rob and extort innocent citizens across the state.
“These are in addition to the wanton destruction of properties, particularly private properties. Government is concerned that if this state of affairs is allowed to continue unabated, it will lead to a breakdown of law and order thereby threatening the wellbeing of the people of Ekiti State.
“In the past 48 hours there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station. These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.’’
The government said it cannot afford to watch a deliberate enthronement of anarchy by some bad elements who have hijacked the protest for some clandestine reasons.
“Consequently, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State starting from 10.00 pm tonight, Tuesday, October, 20, 2020.
‘’ Only essential workers and service providers with valid means of identifications are allowed to move around during the period of the curfew.
When contacted, Spokesman for the Ekiti Police Command, Sunday Abutu said he had not been briefed about the incident.
In Plateau State, at least three persons have been confirmed killed while six cars burnt with several buildings destroyed in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday as hoodlums hijacked the End SARS protest, attacking and burning properties on sight .
Our correspondent gathered that several cars and properties were burnt along Ahmadu Bello Way in Jos as protesters barricaded the highway into the city centre.
Amos Bulus, a trader at the terminus market in Jos said that several businesses had to close to avert destruction and loss if lives.
1,993 Inmates Freed In Edo Jailbreak – FG [LEADERSHIP]
The federal government have revealed that no fewer than 1,993 inmates were freed from two correctionial centres in Edo State by some protesters.
The ministry of Interior, in a statement, signed by the director, press and public relations , Mohammed Manga, said other nefarious activities were also perpetrated by the attackers.
The statement reads thus: “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.”
The statement added that the attackers who bore dangerous weapons attacked the officers on guard duty explained that they were unmistakable on their mission, which was to force the cells open, free the inmates and carry out other nefarious activities.
While explaining that the situation has been brought under control, the statement explained that security in and around custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up, as they have also commenced investigation to determine the full impact of the attack.
The ministry, however, acknowledged that peaceful protest is legitimate and guaranteed as a fundamental right of citizens operating as individuals and groups, but buttressed that attacking a custodial centre is a criminal act which detracts from the advertised objectives of the movement and capable of imputing impure motives to its drivers.
The statement reads in part: “It must be reiterated that custodial centres are high-security zones. The primary duty of the institution is to keep custody of convicted criminals and awaiting trial suspects; this comes before their reformation. It is integral to the justice administration system”.
“The integrity of the custodial centres is therefore fundamental to justice. Inmates of the centres are expected to pay their dues to society, undergo reformation and be reintegrated into society as changed-for-better persons. When this process is disrupted in any way, the integrity of justice and societal renewal is subverted, with dire and unimaginable consequences.”
The ministry lamented that most of the freed inmates, who were held at the centres were convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offences, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes. The statement decried that being let loose gravely imperils lives and property.
“It is unacceptable and an intolerable threat to national and communal security. Government’s primary duty is to protect lives and property and keep the people safe. We shall not be shirking in our responsibility and we shall not disappoint the people,” the statement added.
Killings, arson, violence trail #EndSARS protests [THE NATION]
SCORES of people were killed on Tuesday as the violence triggered by the hijack of #EndSARS protests expanded across the country.
Governors took drastic actions to end the violence, arson and killings.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), and Simeon Lalong (Plateau) imposed curfew on their states.
Many policemen were killed and police stations set ablaze. Other public offices were either set on fire or invaded by hoodlums disguising as protesters.
A private hospital was burnt in Lagos because the hoodlums accused its officials of refusing to admit an injured for treatment.
Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu deployed riot policemen across the country to protect police facilities being attacked and destroyed.
In Lekki, Lagos, last night, security agents dispersed the protesters at the tollgate by force. They fired shots.
Bonfires were seen in social media posts as the protesters, who did not leave the place after the curfew declared by Governor Sanwo-Olu took effect, scampered into safety.
The aftermath of the situation was hazy.
The Lagos State Government ordered an investigation into the Lekki incident.
A statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso, said the government will do everything within its power to ensure that the lives of all Lagosians are protected at all times.
The statement added: “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.
”He advises Lagosians to remain calm and not allow criminals, who have hijacked the noble protest of our gallant youths, to succeed in their evil plan of turning our dear State upside down.”
Amnesty Internation also said it will probe the incident.
The figure of those killed at different locations was put at 33, including policemen.
Seven people were feared killed in Lagos; 10 in Abuja; eight in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, two each in Kano, Ekiti and Edo states; and one in Ogun State.
The Oyo Police Command said it lost two men; the Lagos command said it was still compiling the number of casualties.
A policeman was feared dead in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State.
At least, seven police stations, a council secretariat and a hospital in Lagos, were torched.
Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Plateau, Osun, Imo, Ondo, Kwara impose curfew [THE NATION]
EIGHT states on Tuesday imposed a curfew to arrest escalating violence and killings as hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests.
Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Abia, Plateau, Osun, Kwara and Imo states announced curfews; others set up probe panels as directed by the National Economic Council (NEC).
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposed a 24-hour curfew, with effect from 4 pm. This was later adjusted to 9pm
He said: “I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.
“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.”
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi imposed a 24-hour curfew, with effect from 10 pm last night.
“Government cannot afford to watch a deliberate enthronement of anarchy by some bad elements who have hijacked the protest for some clandestine reasons,” Secretary to the State Government Mr Biodun Oyebanji said.
The Abia State government imposed a 24-hour curfew and placed N1million reward for each authentic video evidence on brutality, extrajudicial killings by security agents in the state.
“To ensure the continued security of lives and property of law-abiding citizens, the governor has also directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on Aba and Umuahia from 6 pm today (yesterday) till further notice,” the state said.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong announced a 24-hour curfew in Jos North and South with effect from 8 pm on Tuesday.
At least, 10 vehicles were burnt; two churches were torched and shops looted by the hoodlums who hijacked the protest in Jos.
Senators, Reps to Buhari: speak to Nigerians [THE NATION]
SENATORS and House of Representatives members yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to douse the tension in the country by addressing the nation.
While the Senate stressed the need for the Federal Government to “faithfully and comprehensively implement all demands of the protesters,” the House of Representatives warned that it would only pass the 2021 budget if the conditions outlined by the youths are included.
The motion in the Senate, sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi was titled “#EndSARS: Need for comprehensive and holistic reforms.” That in the House dubbed “Motion for urgent public importance on the need to address the possible breach of national security” was sponsored by Rep Sada Soli
Some of those that contributed to Olujimi’s motion were Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Adamu Aliero.
Olujimi had in her lead debate, traced police brutality to the colonial era when the Nigeria Police Force was used to suppress agitation against colonial rule, force the people to obey draconian policies and thwart protests against colonial repression.
She cited the 1949 killing of 21 people in the Enugu Colliery; the death of 55 women in the 1929 suppression of women riot in the Eastern part of the country and the murder of 19 Nigerians during the Tiv riot in 1960 as examples of the early days of Police brutality.
She lamented that in spite of the constitutional provisions establishing the NPF based on Section 214 (1) of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions, police brutality had continued during the post-colonial era.
The lawmaker made references to Amnesty International’s report that highlighted 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives between January 2017 and May, 2020 as well as the October 3, 2020 police shooting of a young Nigerian in Ughelli, Delta State which snowballed into the protests that have forced some states to impose curfew.
Lawan, who urged the Federal Government to implement the demands of the protesters, said it was good the youth had made their points.
His words: “Protesters, you have made your point, you have made your case, your protests have yielded the desired results.
“It is time to allow the government to implement those issues that government has accepted from you.”
Senate okays chairman, DG of PenCom, others [THE NATION]
THE Senate on Tuesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for appointment as Chairman, Director General and Commissioners of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Those confirmed are: Dr. Oyindasola Oluremi Oni (Kwara – Northcentral) Chairman; Aisha Dahir-Umar (Adamawa – Northeast) Director-General; Clement Oyedele Akintola (Commissioner, Ondo – Southwest); Ayim C. Nyerere (Commissioner, Abia – Southeast) and Charles Efe Sylvester Emukowhate (Commissioner, Delta – Southsouth).
The confirmations followed the presentation and consideration of the report of Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters at plenary.
The report was presented by Vice Chairman of the committee, Barinada Mpigi.
Presenting the report, Mpigi said the committee screened and found the nominees worthy of the appointments.
He said the committee recommended that the nominee from Katsina State, Hanna Musa Musawa, should be stood down because she had nor presented her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to the committee.
Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) opposed the report before the confirmation of the nominees.
The senator urged the Senate to re-visit the screening of the nominees.
He noted that the nominee for the position of Director General of PenCom should have been picked from the Southeast, following the non-completion of the tenure of the former DG who was from the region.
Senators, like Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Adamawa Central) argued that it was within the prerogative of the President to appoint people into positions based on existing laws.
The lawmakers approved the appointment of the nominees for PenCom board when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Calls for dialogue intensify as riots spread [THE NATION]
AS the peaceful protests have given way to riots, the calls for dialogues to find a permanent end to police brutality intensified on Tuesday.
ActionAid Nigeria appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation and give a clear-cut response to the demands of the #EndSARS protesters before it is too late.
ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement signed by Mrs Ene Obi, Country Director of the organisation, in Abuja yesterday, said: “The protest has moved from being a social media campaign to a peaceful protest by Nigerians across the globe in the last 13 days, with clear demands on the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and extra-judicial killings.
“Nigerians anticipate clear plans, timelines, and commitments, which will be in form of a pact with the citizens.
“The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, should see this as an opportunity to write his name in the sands of time by starting the process of transforming this country, especially by responding to the demands of citizens.”
Mrs. Obi also called on security agencies to keep securing the streets to get unscrupulous elements with illegitimate interests of the peaceful protests, while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters.
“We applaud the resolve of Nigerian youths leading the revival across the country and the resolute to hold the government to account.
“However, it is pertinent that decorum is maintained while resisting any calculated attempts by unknown elements to disrupt the just cause for the total reformation of our country, Nigeria,’’ Obi said.
The Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Young People (CERANY), an NGO, also underscored the need for a roundtable between the Federal Government and youth leaders, to address the raging #ENDSARS protests.
A statement by the President of CERANY, Mr Chuks Akamadu, said the centre endorsed the legitimacy and wishes to associate itself with the wave of peaceful protest against police brutality.
According to him, the action is patriotic and indicative of collective resolve by young people of Nigeria to ensure a better nation for themselves.
Akamadu said: “We are, however, worried that the peaceful protests, which is a right of all citizens, appears to be turning into the dimension that can make such unacceptable through infiltration by subversive element. Thereby, turning a tar brush of what ordinarily should be in the best interests of the nation.
“In view of this, CERANY wishes to urge the youths to discontinue the protest forthwith and give government benefit of the doubt and reasonable time to address germane concerns they have raised.
“This will be in the overall interest of the nation since it is common knowledge that the concerns predate the current administration of the country.
“In the same vein, CERANY wishes to propose immediate conveyance of a National Youth Leaders Conference (NYLC), with the mandate to articulate the concerns of young people and engage government in a roundtable.”
Thousands of #ENDSARS protesters yesterday took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling on their colleagues across the country to vacate the streets and allow the government to address their demands.
The protesters under the auspices of Concerned Rivers Youths marched from Polo field at GRA to the state Police Command along Moscow Road, where the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, addressed them.
Displaying placards with inscriptions such as, “the real lasting victories are those of peace and not of violence”, “SARS has ended let’s dialogue”, ” we say no to SARS, we stand with Buhari”, “thank you, Mr. President, for ending SARS” among others called for dialogue between the youths and the government.
Addressing Mukan, the leader of the protest, Fred Taria, said since the government had given speedy attention to their five demands, it was time to exit the streets and major roads in the country.
He said the youths should understand that while some of their demands could be met immediately, others would take some time adding that unabated protest had allowed their enemies to hijack the civil action.
He said: “Police brutality should not be condoned at any point in our lives. We have passed the message and indeed the government has listened to us keenly. Our five demands are the immediate disbandment of SARS. Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.
“Setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct; Psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers and an increase in police salaries and allowances.
“These have been given speedy attention. It is, therefore, important to plead with the youths that we give the government some time to further expand on their actions. As we must agree, some of our demands cannot be sufficiently attended to overnight. We cannot violently achieve sustainable peace and reform.
“Again, some enemies of our tomorrow have sponsored bandits and thugs to attack us which has led to the loss of lives and properties which we accuse the SARS operatives of doing. Please, it is imperative that we leave the streets of our dear country now, so as not to give the enemies of our country more opportunities to further ferment trouble hence distracting the government from meeting our demands.
“There is no doubt that the masses are united now which has contributed immensely to the huge success attained, but we may lose relevance if their sources of livelihood, existence and daily bread begins to be threatened by our actions via the protest as we have occupied the streets for almost two weeks now, thereby hindering and grinding economic activities. It is necessary that we adhere to this call, so as not to throw away the baby with the bathwater.
“While the youths prepare to vacate the streets, the government should further expand their actions by setting up several processes and showing adequate concerns to the plights and demands of the youths. Communication is also key in all of this, as the government needs to communicate their actions to the youths.
“We will like to deeply thank the President, Inspector General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in various states of our country, for responding swiftly by demobilising the dreaded police unit.”
Black Tuesday: 49 killed as protests turn bloody [PUNCH]
Violence that rocked #EndSARS protests across the country worsened on Tuesday with 43 protesters and six policemen losing their lives.
Protesters calling for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police have been carrying out peaceful demonstrations across the country since October 8.
However, the protests assumed a violent dimension last week when thugs attacked peaceful protesters in Lagos and Abuja.
The hoodlums, who have been attacking protesters in Abuja, became emboldened on Tuesday, when they killed six protesters at Waru, Wumba and Kubuwa
27 protesters, two policemen killed in Lagos
In Lagos alone, no fewer than 29 people, including two policemen, were killed when the police shot protesters in different parts of the state.
In Mushin, 17 people lost their lives during a clash involving hoodlums and policemen attached to the Olosan Division.
The PUNCH gathered that the hoodlums, who reportedly barricaded the Oduwoye Junction in Mushin, denied the Divisional Police Officer, Olosan Division and some policemen, access to the route to a destination in the area.
In the process, it was learnt that there was a confrontation between the hoodlums and the policemen who reportedly retreated to their base.
However, tragedy struck when the policemen, reportedly led by the DPO, reinforced to the Oduwoye Junction and started releasing bullets into the air to scare away the hoodlums.
An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Ashimiu, said when the hoodlums refused to leave the road, in a bid to disperse them, the policemen allegedly released some bullets into the crowd, adding that no fewer than 17 people had been reported dead.
He said, “People were at Oduwoye Junction in Mushin around 12.30pm and blocked the road but when the DPO of the Olosan Police Station and his team wanted to drive through the blocked route, they were denied access. This, however, led to confrontation, so they went back to their base.
“A few minutes after, the policemen, led by the DPO, reinforced to the blocked location and started shooting in the air to scare them away from the road. But when they realised that the people were unmoved, they released bullets into the crowd and more than 17 people were killed. Many people also sustained grievous bullet wounds, some of whom were rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
“I have personally seen seven corpses; three corpses at Atewolara Junction, two corpses at Way Street, opposite Oando Filing Station, and two corpses at Oduwoye Junction, opposite the market. Soldiers are in the area to douse the tension and some of the corpses were evacuated by them, while some other corpses were taken away by the families of the victims.”
Two policemen, three protesters killed as hoodlums burn police stations in Lagos
Five persons, including two policemen and three #EndSARS protesters, were also killed during a clash involving policemen attached to Orile Police Division and some protesters in the Orile area of the state.
The PUNCH gathered that the protesters were chanting #EndSARS at the station when the DPO, Orile Division and her policemen allegedly opened fire at the protesters, killing three persons in the process.
Enraged by the development, it was learnt that a clash occurred between the protesters, including hoodlums, and policemen attached to the division and during the attack, the Orile Police Station was set ablaze.
One Bolaji, who witnessed the incident, accused the police of pulling the trigger that killed three of the protesters, adding that two stations were burnt due to the incident.
He said, “Around 9am, when the protesters got to the Orile Police Station, they were chanting #EndSARS and that they don’t want the Divisional Police Officer, popularly known as Iya Rainbow, to head the station again. There was a confrontation between the DPO and the people at the station.
“Annoyed by the development, the people clashed with the policemen and they went to get petrol and set the station ablaze. When the people at Pako area got to know that someone has been shot dead at Orile, it propelled them to burn the station at Pako. The military personnel have brought normalcy in the area. I witnessed everything when the police opened fire, the people dispersed and it was that opportunity that the DPO used in escaping.”
It was learnt that while three protesters were shot head by the police, two policemen died in a reprisal.
However, one Ugo Njoku, who chronicled the Orile attack on Whatsapp, gave the total number of deaths recorded to be five, adding that “DPO ordered police officers to shoot directly at the protesters. Three people fall dead while several others sustained injuries and are rushed to hospital…The two officers killed are the trigger-happy policemen that shot at the protesters.”
Blackout in Lekki tollgate as soldiers shoot seven protesters dead, many injured
In another development in the Lekki area of the state, armed soldiers allegedly shot sporadically at the #EndSARS protesters, killing no fewer than seven persons in the process.
Many protesters were said to have sustained bullet wounds as a result of the attack that suddenly came just after the billboard on the tollgate and the streetlights around the premises were switched off. It was learnt that the CCTV was also disconnected.
A video recorded by an eyewitness, which was reposted on Instablog9ja, indicated that seven protesters were killed during the attack.
“They have killed more than seven people that I have seen with my eyes. They were killed with real bullets and not even rubber bullets,” the recorder of the footage said.
Prior to the blackout, it was learnt that two soldiers were at the tollgate from the Lekki axis to pledge their support for the protest by the #EndSARS campaigners.
Few minutes after the soldiers came, it was learnt that there was a sudden blackout as a group of armed soldiers advancing from the Ozumba Mbadiwe axis started shooting sporadically into the air and at the protesters.
An eyewitness, Yekini Adedeji, said all the protesters around the tollgate scampered for safety, adding that the soldiers had taken over the premises.
“The soldiers are shooting sporadically, they put off the street light and the billboard to make the place to be in total darkness. They started shooting up but they shot at the protesters as well and I have seen two people that have sustained bullet wounds.
“At first, when the soldiers started shooting, the protesters summoned courage and refused to move. So, they sat on the floor and raised up their flag but along the line, two of the protesters were shot and people started running. There are no protesters at the tollgate and the soldiers have taken over the tollgate. I saw the soldiers myself
Two killed, many injured as hoodlums clash in Ketu
In another development, two people were killed during a clash involving Ikosi Boys and Market Boys in the Ketu area of Lagos State on Monday.
As at 8am on Tuesday, The PUNCH saw the hoodlums attacking one another with bottles, stones and other harmful objects around the pedestrian bridge, close to the police station in Ketu.
Motorists and commuters were stranded as vehicular movements were on hold due to the crisis that reportedly started on Monday evening.
It was gathered that the boys were protesting when an altercation reportedly broke out amongst them around 6pm.
The altercation was said to have degenerated into a crisis that sent shivers down the spines of residents and business owners in the area.
Footage of a video trending online showed three victims lying on the street in a pool of their blood.
As seen in the footage, the skull of two of the victims had been broken as their brains were scattered on the street. One of the victims was also seen gasping for breath due to the injuries he sustained during the clash.
People were also seen in the footage lamenting and mourning the circumstances surrounding the death of the victims.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said, “A fight happened in Ketu but we are not aware that there was any mortality. No death was known to the police.”
Six killed, many injured as hoodlums clash Ikorodu
In another development, no fewer than six persons were killed in the Ogolonto and Garage area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
In Ogolonto, it was learnt that the clash happened after a member of the National Union of Road Transport Worker, purchased a piece of land and settled the wrong people.
An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Adesegun, said during the fight, the boys burgled peoples’ shops, stopped a truck loaded with bottles, which they used in attacking themselves.
He said, “Ogolonto Boys and Idiroko Boys were involved in the clash, and what happened was that one of the leaders of the NURTW Ikorodu settled some people with N2m after purchasing land and made the announcement during the protest. That was when the fight started and about three people were killed on Saturday but the fight started on Friday. The fight was amongst the union members but it turned into a street fight and lots of people were injured.”
It was gathered that three people died in the incident.
In a similar development, three persons were killed during another clash involving hoodlums and cultists in the Garage and Benson areas of Ikorodu.
An eyewitness, Biodun Agbabiaka, said, “On Tuesday, some people had to volunteer themselves to be on the lookout for people robbing members of the public of their valuables after the protest and that was how it turned into a territorial clash, involving cult members.
“As I speak to you, two persons were killed at Garage and one person was killed at Benson and the protesters are not among those that were killed.”
Many policemen have been killed – Lagos Police PRO
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said “It is quite unfortunate that most of our formations have been attacked, our men have been attacked and as I speak with you, many of our men have been killed but I cannot give a precise account of those that have been killed now.
“Most of our formations have been set ablaze and some of our properties destroyed. Two patrol vehicles have been burnt in Ojo Division, Ilemba Hausa is under siege as I speak with you, Amukoko and Orile Divisions are burnt, Cele outpost under Ajegunle has been burnt, Ajeromi Ifelodun Secretariat has been burnt and we are still hearing that they still want to attack policemen going about their lawful duties.”
Two policemen, three others feared killed in Oyo
Hoodlums cashed in on the #EndsSARS protest in the Ojoo area of Ibadan on Tuesday and burnt down the police station in the area.
Our correspondents learnt that five persons, including two policemen, were killed during the attack which happened at 1pm.
The police also confirmed that some of its AK-47 rifles were stolen by the hoodlums, who invaded the place and burnt it down.
One of our correspondents, who visited the scene of the incident at 6:30pm observed that the police station and three vehicles were completely razed down.
Trouble started in the morning as early as 9am when some of the youths blocked the Ojoo end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The barricade caused gridlock forcing some motorists to turn back to seek alternative routes while those who could not use this got stuck on the road.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Joe Enwonwu, confirmed the killing of two policemen and said two were missing in a statement issued by the Police a Public Relations Officer, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi.
Lekki shootings: #EndSARS protesters rush injured to Lagos hospitals [PUNCH]
Protesters injured at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on Tuesday evening have been rushed to the Reddington and Lagoon hospitals in the area.
An official of one of the hospitals told The PUNCH that no dead casualty was brought to the hospitals but many injured victims were currently being treated at both health facilities.
“They are many. I can’t count my fingers around them. We are currently treating them,” the official who did not want to be mentioned said.
Many hospitals in the area were said to have been treating wounded protesters for free since the attack.
Tragedy struck when security operatives made up of policemen and soldiers, in a bid to disperse #EndSARS protesters, reportedly opened fire on the teeming youths at the Lekki tollgate around 7pm.
#EndSARS protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality and extrajudicial killings at the Lekki tollgate for over a week.
Similar demonstrations have been staged in different parts of the state and the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an investigation into Tuesday evening incident.
The state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement after the attack.
The statement partly read, “There have been reports of shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza, following the 24-hour curfew imposed on Lagos State to stop criminals who hid under the #EndSARS protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
“The State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.”
