Ekiti raises alarm, says looted COVID-19 palliatives poisonous

 

The Ekiti state government has issued a warning to its people concerning the looted items from warehouses in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 23.

In a statement released on Saturday, October 24, Akin Omole, the commissioner for information and civic orientation, said huge quantities of poisonous items, mistaken for food yet to be distributed as COVID-19 palliatives were looted.

Omole said Ekiti state does not have any COVID-19 palliative warehouse currently as it has already distributed everything to those it is meant for, NAN reports.

He said the state got information that hoodlums seeking COVID-19 palliatives attacked the federal government’s silos, the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) warehouse and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stores, in Ado- Ekiti.

Ekiti government says looted items were fertilizers, not COVID-19 palliatives. Photo credit: @kfayemi

The statement partly read:

“Unfortunately, the items carted away were Single Super Phosphate and NPK fertilisers, which they erroneously thought was “Gaari’’, cassava grains.

“The SEMA store too has only emergency supplies for disaster response.

“Some people even made away with pre-fermented corns preserved for planting. All these items are poisonous and not fit for consumption."

Omole appealed to the people of Ekiti not to consume the items, which he said can lead to death.

Also lending his voice, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, the commissioner for agriculture and food security, who confirmed the looting, said the items were not suitable for consumption.

What began as an invasion of state-owned warehouses has now degenerated into looting spree as hoodlums are unleashing mayhem on pubic and private properties.

# ENDSARS : Youth groups plans to de-escalate tension across the nation

 

The apex Yoruba youth group, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide alongside the Coalition of Southern Group (CSG) have expressed support for the proposal by the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) to strengthen national unity by peaceful dialogue.

In a statement signed on Friday, October 23 by the president of Yoruba youths, Aare Oladotun Hassan, said there is a need to urgently and collectively address the escalating tension in the country and find a meeting point for all stakeholders across the divides.

The Yoruba youths have expressed solidarity with the Shettima-led AYCF. Photo credit: Emmanuel Osodi

Part of the statement read:

“It is high time we work out the best solution approach towards resolving the growing tide of violence and arsons, particularly within southern regions.’’

In a related development, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) has commended the leadership of AYCF and other northern youth groups for the maturity exhibited in the midst of the current crisis across Nigeria.

The OYC also agreed with their northern counterparts on the protection of their people in both regions.

In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, October 23, the Igbo youths denied allegations of molestation of northerners in the south-east.

Earlier, the leader of AYCF, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, called on Nigerians to disregard various fake news being attributed to him by unknown persons.

Yerima described as false and malicious claim of war and other fabrications in circulation being attributed to him, urging Nigerians and friends of the country all over the world to disregard them in totality.

Lekki shootings: We've received allegations, says ICC

 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has broken its silence on the alleged use of force and violence on EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos on Tuesday, October 20.

The ICC called for calm on the sides of the protesters, the federal government and security agencies.

An ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, tweeted on Thursday, October 22, that the court is closely observing happenings related to the protest as they unfold.

ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said the court has received allegations on Lekki shootings. (Photo: The Times of Israel)

Bensouda said the court has already received allegations of violence in relation to the protests.

Meanwhile. Lagos state governor had on Wednesday, October 20, announced that casualties was recorded but the state still investigating whether it was as a result of the shooting.

Moreover, the government of the United States (US) faulted the alleged use of force by security personnel on unarmed protesters in the Lekki shooting that ensued on Tuesday, October 20.

In a statement on Thursday, October 22, the secretary of state, Michael Pompeo, called for justice on soldiers who brutalised EndSARS protesters during the rally.

Pompeo said that the US will welcome any thorough investigation into the tragic development that reportedly led to the death and injuries of protesters

.

Buhari to address Nigerians by 7 pm over EndSARS protests - Presidency

 

Following the ongoing protests against the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), President Muhammadu Buhari would address Nigerians by 7 pm today, Thursday, October 22.

NTA reports that the president would make a national broadcast after a meeting with the security chiefs on the protests and killings of some protesters across the country.

All television, radio and other electronic media outlets were enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria respectively during the presidential address.

The presidency stated:

President Muhammadu Buhari will address Nigerians on the ongoing EndSARS protests across the country. Credit: Twitter/NTA.

“Following detailed briefing by security chiefs on the current situation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast, today, October 22, 2020 at 7pm.

“Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria respectively as the President addresses the Nation later this evening, at 7pm, a presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted Thursday evening.

Premium Times had earlier reported that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, said that the president would announce a ‘critical solution’ to the #EndSARS protest

Speaking after the meeting, Monguno told the State House correspondents that the meeting basically dwelt on one subject matter, “the current security situation that has come about as a result of the EndSARS protests.”

The online medium said that the official said the president has directed that the government should do whatever is necessary in order to bring about an agreeable resolution to this crisis.

“It is not Mr. President’s desire to see any unwanted loss of lives and he is determined to ensure that things do not cascade into an unpleasant situations.Munguno had said:

“Therefore, he has directed all the security agencies to operate within the confines of legitimacy, the confines of legality, not to do anything that will aggravate the situation.

“The President himself, I have just left his office, is also going to deal with these issues in a specific manner apart from what has just taken place in council. I believe in the next couple of hours Mr. President will come up with certain solutions that will be agreeable to the entire federation.

Meanwhile, hours after the reported killing of some EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, denied having a hand in the ugly incident.

It was reported that Tinubu was reacting to the attack which saw security forces open fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate area of Lagos state on Tuesday, October 20

Lekki shooting: Sanwo-Olu speaks on removal of CCTV cameras from tollgate

With Lekki shooting still gaining momentum amid floodgates of reactions globally, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lifted the lids on the alleged removal of the CCTV camera prior to the toll gate incident.

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, October 22, the Lagos state governor stated that "nobody ordered" the removal of the camera and turning off the light contrary to the circulation on the social media.

Sanwo-Olu said there was the security of LCC on the ground and added that what looked like a camera are "necessary installation" removed due to 24-hour curfew imposed on the state over repeated attacks of hoodlums.

He said:

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said no security camera was removed. Credit: Twitter (Gistreel)

"That camera you saw is not a security and CCTV camera. That camera is not a motion camera, It is a nasal camera for vehicles. What the camera removed does is to pick the tag and number plate when you approach in the fast track lane.

"It is not a camera for human beings but an infrared camera. Security cameras are still available. These are some of the footages we are going to use for our own investigation.

"Security cameras are installed on the top of towers and they are there. Nobody can touch the security camera. So, the cameras the pulled off was the decision of the local personnel of LCC in conjunction with total management because of curfew.

"On the light, there was a consensus arrangement by the cooperate organisation in charge to pull off the light because of the curfew put in place."

UK shuts embassies over #EndSARS crisis, Soyinka, Clinton, Saraki, Sanwo-Olu reacts

 

Sequel to the EndSARS protests that rocked every nook and cranny of the country, the United Kingdom has ordered the closure of its embassies in Nigeria over the crisis as a result of #EndSARS protests across the country.

The demonstrations, which began as a peaceful march two weeks ago, have degenerated into crisis in various states, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.

Over the past three days, attacks have been launched on government-owned institutions and private businesses, leading to deaths and properties being razed.

On Monday, police stations were set on fire in Edo, while two prisons were broken into, leading to the escape of inmates from custody, and the state government declared a 24-hour curfew.

On Tuesday morning, police stations and other properties were also destroyed in Lagos, and the governor declared a 24-hour curfew which took effect at 9pm.

By Wednesday morning, hoodlums launched attacks on locations across the state, setting fire to buildings and buses.Events, however, took a major turn on Tuesday evening when persons dressed in military uniform opened fire on protesters who were at the Lekki area of Lagos.

According to a statement issued on its website on Wednesday, the UK noted that the closure of its offices is to ensure the safety of staff and visa applicants.

The closure will be maintained for an initial 48 hours, while applicants who have already booked appointments have been advised to reschedule.

“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,” the statement read.

“For applicants with booked appointments within this period, please you will need to reschedule your appointment for next week, from 26th October 2020" 

Already, former presidential candidate in 

United States Hillary Clinton has warmed President Muhammadu Buhari to stop killing young #End SARS protesters in Nigeria.

Reacting to the attack on the peaceful prote-

sters in Lagos in her Twitter called President Buhari and Nigerian soldiers

to stop killing young Nigerians.

The immediate past Senate President of Nigeria Bukola Saraki condemned the killings of harmless protesters in Nigeria.

t

Saying it is the same as killing future of Nigeria

and decribed the happened at Lekki as 

massacre.

In his reaction. Prof. Wole Soyinka lamented that the tension in the land had become unimaginable, adding that the extra-judicial killing in Lagos state has drenched the Nigerian flag in the blood of innocents.

He said:

The Nobel laureate in literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, observing a court proceeding. Source: Legit.ng

“At that earlier mention Lagos sector, Lekki, where most of the affirmative action gatherings had taken place, soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing and wounding a yet undetermined number. One such extra-judicial killing has drenched the Nigerian flag in the blood of innocents – and not symbolically.

“The video has, in accustomed parlance, ‘gone viral’. I have spoken by phone to eye-witnesses. One, a noted public figure has shared his first-hand testimony on television. The government should cease to insult this nation with petulant denials.”

Soyinka said it was absolutely essential to let this government know that the Army had now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters.

The academic giant said his enquiry so far indicated that the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu did not invite in the Army and did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’.

Soyinka added:

“Nevertheless, the Centre had chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and had inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche.

“Need I add that, on arrival in Abeokuta, my home town, I again had to negotiate a roadblock? That went smoothly enough. I expected it, and have no doubt that more are being erected as this is being written."

Amid ongoing violence and repeated attacks on facilities in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to report the Nigeria Army operatives who shot at the peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate to the military "high command."

Speaking during a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, October 21, closely monitored.Governor Sanwo-Olu sued for understanding and peace.

The governor also stated that he would report the security operatives who carried out the attack on unarmed protesters to President Muhammadu Buhari, being the commander-in-chief.

Governor Sanwo-Olu: Credit: Channels TV.

Sanwo-Olu described the incident as unfortunate and tragic, adding that he was never involved in the directives that saw armed operatives open fire on the demonstrators.