EndSARS unrest spread to London, Coventry: Further protests ’ll hurt economy, NASS begs youth

As tension keeps rising over the ongoing nationwide   #EndSARS protests, President Muhammadu Buhari  has met behind closed door with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa Abuja Sunday.

The protesters’ demands
At inception, the protesters came up with five demands, including that all arrested protesters are released and justice be given to deceased victims of SARS, including compensation to their families.

They equally demanded an independent committee to oversee the investigations and prosecution of any member of SARS found guilty of extra-judicial killings.

They demanded that all personnel of the disbanded SARS undergo a psychological and medical evaluation as well as retraining before they could be redeployed to other services of the police.

The protesters also demanded that the salary of the police should be increased in a manner that will be adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

In meeting the demands of the protesters, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, said on October 11, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) dissolved SARS across the 36 state Police Commands and the FCT.

Buhari meets NASS leadership
Blueprint reports that Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila represented the leadership of NASS at the meeting which was presided over by the president.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Senate President Lawan said the meeting specifically deliberated on how best to address the ongoing #EndSARS demonstrations being witnessed in some parts of the country.

He said the NASS had a crucial role to play in ensuring that the demands of the protesters were properly addressed and implemented to restore sanity in the society.
Lawan lauded the president for his handling of the issues raised by the aggrieved youths in the country.

“This is certainly a very trial moment, and as a National Assembly, we believe that we have a very critical and crucial role to play in ensuring that the current situation of protest across the country is bought to an end.

“I want to thank Mr. President for exhibiting very deep democratic credentials – the protests have gone on for over 10 days, across many states of the country and I think the protesters have expressed their legitimate right, the government has listened.

“The essence of coming to meet Mr. President is to review the situation and see the roles the two arms of government should play in ensuring that the five-point demands of the protesters are properly addressed.

“Where legislative intervention will be required, we are ready to move in and deal with such expeditiously, to ensure that we don’t waste any time so that we address the concerns of our youths.

“Where the executive role is expected we are sure that the executive will take expedient action, and we will be watching to ensure that such demands are properly met,’’ he said.

Lawan, therefore, appealed to the aggrieved youths to suspend their protests as the government had commenced implementation of their five-point demands, saying the government needed sufficient and conducive environment to implement the demands.

He said the appeal had become imperative to avert possible break down of law and order in the country.

“It is also very critical at this point to mention this since the protest had taken place and the demands had been accepted.

“Time has come for the protest to stop because the government needs to have sufficient time and conducive environment to implement the demands of the protesters we also need to have our economy to continue to grow.

“When we try to stop everybody from engaging in their local businesses, closing roads to markets and other economic places we disrupt the economy of the country, and that is not the best way to go.

“If the issues had not been accepted, then there would have been genuine reasons to continue with the demonstrations and protests. But since the issues had been accepted, we should give the government time to implement the issue.

“Therefore, I’m taking this opportunity to appeal to our youths who are protesting that the protests have already yielded the desire results,” he said.
The lawmaker said other Nigerians have the legitimate right to go on their lawful businesses without hindrance.

Also commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Gbajabiamila reiterated NASS’ readiness to partner other arms of government, particularly the executive, in meeting the genuine demands of Nigerians.

He, however, condemned the attack on Osun state Governor Gboyega Oyetola during the protest in Osogbo Saturday.

London, Coventry, Edinburgh, Nottingham join
The anti-SARS protest took an international dimension with Nigerians abroad joining the fray.

Organisers of the protests made this known in an awareness image shared on social media.

The message on the image showed the protests would be organised at several locations on Sunday.

In Coventry, #EndSARS “peaceful protest” held at Coventry Transport Museum CV11JD at 2.30pm.

Another protest was organised by All BlackLivesMatter UK March against police brutality at the Nigeria High Commission – Scotland Yard – Parliament Square – between 2pm and 6pm.

Like it was done across several locations in Nigeria, a candlelight procession would also be held for victims of SARS brutality at Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross by 7pm.

Similarly, #EndSARS protest is organised at Scottish Parliament Building EH99 1SP, Edinburgh from 1pm to 3pm.

Some Nigerians in Newark, New Jersey also held a protest on Sunday.

“The police in Nigeria have no boundary. If you have been a victim of police brutality, you will understand. In Abuja, Port-Harcourt, you will understand that the emotional pains have no geography,” one of the protesters said.

Many Nigerians and sympathisers are also expected to converge on Old Market Square in Nottingham to protest against police brutality in Nigeria by 3 pm.

FG alleges plot
However, thefederal government is alleging the #EndSARS protest had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with the ulterior motive to destabilise the country and bring down the  Buhari administration.

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, stated this Sunday when he featured on a Radio Nigeria programme monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the federal government had met the demands of the group and implementing them.

Having met the demands, he said it was absurd that protesters were remaining on the streets causing mayhem, obstructing movements, and inflicting pains on Nigerians.

Mohammed said: “When you look at the demands of the #EndSARS and the decisions of the Federal Government, it is clear that there is no single demand of the group that has not been met.

“Therefore, one will begin to ask if there is an ulterior motive because what we have witnessed in the last few days is that they have moved their demands from five to seven.

“As soon as the government approved one demand another one will follow.
“From the five demands which were initially tabled and have been addressed, they are now including petrol price, national assembly salaries, and allowances, electricity tariff among others.

‘Then you begin to ask yourself what exactly is the motive of the protests and who are those behind them?” he queried.

The minister further said, it is more nauseating that the protest had gone violent, claiming lives and causing injuries as well as destruction to property.
He said Saturday’s assassination attempt on Governor Oyetola, who came out to identify with the protesters and address them, was a clear indication that the protest had been hijacked.

Mohammed said the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, was equally turned back on the road by the protesters in Abuja.

“Peaceful protest is synonymous with democratic tenets and to that extent; we see the EndSARS protest as the manifestation of how far our democracy has developed
” Regrettably, the protest has been hijacked by hoodlums and by people with ulterior motives bent at destabilising the country.

“As of today, many people in many parts of the country simply cannot go out because people are being intimidated and roads have been blocked.

“There was a report of a pregnant woman that died inside the ambulance simply because she could not get to the hospital because of the protesters.
“This cannot be allowed to continue because where your right stops another person’s rights begin.

“While the government will continue to engage, no responsible government will fold its arms and allow the state to be thrown into anarchy,” he said.

NAN reports that the #EndSARS group has been protesting what it calls police brutality.

Magashi warns
Also, Minister of Defence Bashir Salihi Magashi cautioned #EndSARS protesters against breaching national security.

A statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Mr. Mohammad Abdulkadri, said Magashi gave the caution when National Coordinator Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) Danladi Pasali led his team of executive members on a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.

He extolled the virtues of President Buhari whom he described as “a forthright leader” and thanked members of the BCO for promoting the president’s political ideology, democratic governance, rule of law and philosophy.
He assured them of his support in actualising their programmes in raising the bar of national security.

Magashi urged them to leverage on their structure in the 774 local government areas and 36 States of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory to gather intelligence and channel it to the appropriate authorities for action.

Earlier, Pasali said the reason for their visit was to congratulate the minister on his one year in office and to thank him for emplacing “gigantic reforms in the Military.”

Falana group cautions
But the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, a coalition of labour and civil society groups led by Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has cautioned against deploying soldiers to disperse the #EndSARS protesters from the streets.

In a statement Sunday in Abuja, the group also vowed to drag the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, to the International Criminal Court in The Hague if any of the #EndSARs protesters were killed by soldiers.

In the statement titled, ‘#EndSARS: Kill protesters, face International Criminal Court, ASCAB specifically urged the federal government to withdraw plans to use soldiers to quell the nationwide protests.

The protests against police brutality which began over a week ago in Lagos and Abuja have spread to about 30 states in the country.

“Buhari should not invite soldiers to resolve a purely democratic issue that calls for dialogue and constructive engagement,” it said.

ASCAB noted that protests have common features across the world as seen in Hong Kong, United States, France, South Africa, Belarus and even in Sudan.

It added that in no instance were soldiers deployed to suppress the protesters.
“Nigeria wants to set another ugly precedence in world history,” the group said.
Tragic twist.

In a tragic twist however, four of the protesters  were knocked down by a speedy Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle  (SUV) in Benin City, Edo state.

The car was said to have rammed into the group of protesters at First East Circular road by Sakponba junction, killing four persons and injuring four others at about 8.pm Saturday.

Blueprint gathered that the driver of the SUV (Toyota Highlander) attempted to avoid the bonfire the protesting youths had set up in the middle of the road when he suddenly lost control and rammed into his victims.

The development brings to seven the number of deaths arising from the protest in the state.

Two persons were killed Friday after persons believed to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed with the protesters.
One other person who sustained injury during the clash reportedly died Saturday morning.

Spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

Plateau sets up panel
And in line with the directive by the National Economic Council (NEC), Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong has approved the appointment of members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate complaints of police brutality, in the state.
He said the panel would also look into related extra-judicial killings in the state with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

The governor’s media aide, Dr. Makut Macham, stated this Sunday  in a statement.
“This is in line with the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) for the establishment of State-based judicial Panels of Inquiry by Governors to hear complaints and ensure accountability in the operations of police units in their States,” Lalong said.

He said the panel is being headed by a retired jurist, Justice Philomena Lot, with CP Garba Patrick (rtd); Mr. Ezekiel Dauda Daschen (youth representative) Mrs. Rauta Dakok  representing the  Attorney General’s Office and Mrs. Kiyempia Mafuyai  representing  the Human Rights Commission.

“The terms of Reference among others are to receive and investigate complaints of Police Brutality or Related Extra Judicial Killings; evaluate evidence and draw conclusions on validity of complaints; as well as recommend compensation and other remedial measures,” he said.

Lalong charged the committee to be thorough, diligent and fair to all those that would appear before them in order to ensure justice is served to all parties without any bias.

Diri backs protest
In a related development, Bayelsa state Governor Douye Diri, has expressed support of the ongoing protest against police brutality.

He also said his administration would not condone acts that infringed on the fundamental rights of citizens in the state.

Governor Diri spoke Saturday evening when the protesters in their hundreds blocked the Government House entrance in Yenagoa to press home their demands.

The governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said the governor, who was returning from inspecting communities ravaged by flood, came out of his vehicle to join the youths that were waving placards and chanting slogans against police brutality.

While addressing them, he said as a firm advocate against all forms of police brutality, he moved motions as a federal legislator against extra-judicial killings and illegal detention in the state.

“In 2016, I moved a motion as member of the House of Representatives against extra-judicial killings in Bayelsa.

“Also, in 2018, I moved another motion in the House for the release of one Collins Opumie from Southern Ijaw that was arrested by the DSS and detained in an underground cell for many years until it came to my knowledge. He was eventually released after that motion.

“So, I’m one hundred per cent in support of you. In a democracy, power belongs to the people, power belongs to you-the youths. You have every right to protest and nobody can stop you from protesting,” he told the cheering crowd.

While commending the protesters for their peaceful conduct, Senator Diri promised to address the demands within his powers and channel others to the appropriate quarters at the federal level.

He thereafter marched with the protesters to the state police headquarters and was received by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mike Okoli.

Speaking at the force headquarters, Governor Diri directed the state police boss to immediately release a youth that was allegedly arrested during the protest, saying citizens had an inalienable right to peaceful protest.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police thanked the youths for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and urged them to maintain the tempo.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Mathew Ayibakuro called on the governor to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into cases of police brutality in the state with representatives of the youths and civil society organisations.

Tinubu backs protest too
Also expressing similar support for the agitation, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu said Nigerians have an inalienable right to peaceful protest.

He, however, denied sponsoring the EndSARS protest.
A statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Rahman, insisted his principal could not sponsor a protest that is affecting the economy of Lagos.

“Asiwaju Tinubu could not have sponsored the #EndSARS protest that has blocked one of the main entries into and out of Lagos and one of the economic arteries of the Lagos state government. He could also not have sponsored such a protest where he too has been labeled a target by the organizers,” part of the statement read.

It, however, made it clear Tinubu “believes in the right of Nigerians to freedom of expression, assembly and protest where and when necessary.”

The former Lagos Governor however maintained it is “now time for our youths to wait, exercise restraint for dialogue and reform to commence.

“Whereas Asiwaju Tinubu believes in the right of Nigerians to freedom of expression, assembly, and protest where and when necessary, he has always canvassed the need for people to explore peaceful channels to ventilate their views and demands.

“Like most Nigerians, Asiwaju believes that SARS’ brutality and untoward conduct against innocent youths and other Nigerians have gone on for too long and that security outfit ought to be disbanded as demanded by the protesters.”

Protesters go spiritual
Meanwhile, thousands of #EndSARS protesters Sunday morning held a worship service at the Alausa protest ground in continuation of the protest that has now entered the 12th day.

The service which was held at the Alausa protest ground was tagged an Interdenominational Protest Sunday Service with the theme; “The Glory of the Latter House”.

Son of Pastor E.A Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Leke Adeboye, who presided over the service,  read the book of Haggai Chapter 2: 9.

“I am speaking from the good book, some people call it the Bible, I call it the Holy Book, the book says, the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former, this is what is happening in Nigeria right now,” Adeboye said.

Commending the protesters for speaking louder against oppression in the land, using the now popular mantra ‘Soro Soke’, which literally translates; speak loud, he admonished the youths to always speak up against injustice in the land.

He said: “We are a generation that cannot be silenced, we don’t off our mic here, we always speak loud here.

“We shall no longer keep quiet in the face of oppression and injustice in our own country.”

Online radio born
In furtherance of their cause, the #EndSARS protesterslaunched Soro Soke, an online radio, https://s4.radio.co/s99d55c85b/listen, it was gathered.

The channel, through effective and timely communication, is expected to aid the coordination of #EndSARS protests nationwide.

Soro Soke, a Yoruba sentence which means ‘speak up,’ became a mantra last week at the height of the #EndSARS campaign when protesters in Lagos state urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ‘soro soke’ whilst addressing the youths.

Soro Soke is also a metaphor for all Nigerians to speak up against bad governance and resist corrupt leaders.

The Twitter handle of the station, @Sorosoke247, reads, “24/7 update on all things protest. We are for a better nation powered by value for life and good governance.
Culled from blueprint.ng