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Journalist, protesters arrested in Abuja

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Journalist, protesters arrested in Abuja

A freelance journalist, Ayoola Babalola, was arrested alongside an unconfirmed number of protesters by security operatives in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday.

The development is coming as protesters seeking an “End to Bad Governance” and economic hardship in Nigeria trooped to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on the third day of the nationwide protests which began Thursday.

Babalola posted his arrest on WhatsApp status on Saturday afternoon, a few moments after security operatives suspected to be men of the Department of State Services shot at protesters and journalists at the stadium.

According correspondent covering the protest earlier reported how he, alongside other journalists, narrowly escaped gunshots fired by the operatives, with the car belonging to a Premium Times journalist riddled with bullets.

“I’ve been arrested, comrades. I’m being held at Wuye Police Station. We are standing our ground and not releasing our devices,” Babalola, a former Peoples Gazette reporter, posted on his WhatsApp status, noting that he was apprehended alongside six others, including one Samuel Victor.

“They are taking our phones and taking us to the cell now,” he added in a message sent to our correspondent around 2pm.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, when contacted, said she was making efforts to get Babalola and others released.

“I’m only aware of two of them, not seven, and I’m making efforts on their release. I’m looking for the journalist, Ayoola (Babalola),” she told The According.

Protesters have continued to hit the streets in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and other states as they call for, among others, the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and the skyrocketing price of goods and services in the country.

The ‘End Hunger’ protest has, however, been marred with reported lootings by hoodlums in Kano and other northern regions with the police going after the culprits to recover some items.

The Lagos State Government has urged the protesters to go home noting that their voices have been heard “loud and clear,” according to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who spoke with Channels TV.

The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday criticised President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the nation amid the nationwide protests.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens of the pressing issues affecting them.

Amnesty Int’l demands immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protester in Jigawa prison

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Amnesty Int’l demands immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protester in Jigawa prison

Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Umar Danjani, a #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protester, who was arrested in Jigawa State.
Danjani was reportedly detained by the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday while participating in a protest alongside thousands of Nigerians exercising their constitutional rights.
Following his arrest, Danjani was arraigned in court on Friday, where an order was secured to remand him at Birnin Kudi prison.
Amnesty International made the calls in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning the arrest.
It said, “Subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary arrests for speaking out is unlawful.”
Confirming the arrest of Danjani, Abiyos Roni alleged he was remanded in prison for two weeks for protesting against bad governance.
The arrest occurred amid a wave of nationwide protests that swept across major cities and the Federal Capital Territory.
The demonstrations, which began on Thursday, saw thousands of Nigerians expressing their dissatisfaction with the country’s worsening economic conditions, soaring inflation, poor governance and insecurity.
However, the protests were marred by incidents of police brutality.
Reports emerged of journalists and media professionals facing arrest, physical assault, harassment, and obstruction while covering the events.
In one instance, Daily Independent photojournalist Jide Oyekunle was unlawfully detained and had his phone confiscated by police officers in Abuja.
TVN noted that at least 12 journalists and media professionals suffered from police brutality or attacks by government-sponsored hoodlums on the first day of the protests.
The nationwide demonstrations, scheduled to last ten days, aim to voice citizens’ grievances against the hardships exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Amnesty Int’l demands immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protester in Jigawa prison

Your voice has been heard, end protest, PANDEF tells demonstrators

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Your voice has been heard, end protest, PANDEF tells demonstrators

The Pan Niger Delta Forum has commended youths, ex-agitators and other groups in the Niger Delta region for their peaceful disposition during the nationwide protest against bad governance.

The forum however called on the various groups to end the protest, saying their voices have been heard.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday and sent to newsmen.

Robinson said the call for them to discontinue the protest followed incidents of looting and destruction of lives and properties in some parts of the country.

He expressed dismay that hoodlums and criminal elements may catch in on the situation to hijack the protest and cause a breakdown of law and order in the region.

The statement read, “The leadership of Pan Niger Delta Forum commends the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organisations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region in the face of the nationwide protests.

“In the light of reports of looting, destruction, and loss of lives in some parts of the country, PANDEF urges the protesters in some states of the region to end their protests to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the process and causing disruptions to the relative peace in the region.

“It is important to note that the point has already been made. Your voice has been heard.  We call on the government at all levels to take necessary and urgent steps to address the difficulties citizens are facing.”

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Despite court order, police tear-gas #EndBadGovernance protesters at Abuja stadium

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Despite court order, police tear-gas #EndBadGovernance protesters at Abuja stadium

Despite a court order restricting protesters in the #EndBadGovernance protest to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, security agencies on Saturday took measures to disperse them from the court-granted venue of the protest.
Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police fired rounds of teargas at the protesters who had gathered at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The DSS operatives dressed in black with face masks arrived the stadium in several Toyota Sienna vans, and started shooting live rounds at the protesters.
Earlier, heavily armed police officers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium had fired tear gas canisters at the protesters.
This is after the police had used armoured and patrol vehicles to block the entrance of the stadium to stop the protesters from converging there.
READ ALSO:Police detains 320 suspects for vandalizing properties in Kano #EndBadGovernance protest
These actions are coming after the court had directed the protesters to restrict their movement and gathering to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The protests, however, continue across the country, with smaller gatherings reported in Lagos, Benin City, and Port Harcourt.
Friday saw similar scenes in Abuja’s Berger roundabout area, where tear gas was also used to disperse protesters.
The demonstrations, though dwindling in numbers, persist in various parts of Nigeria, as citizens continue to demand change.
The post Despite court order, police tear-gas #EndBadGovernance protesters at Abuja stadium appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Gombe CJ frees 185 prison inmates

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Gombe CJ frees 185 prison inmates

The Gombe State Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee, led by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Halima Mohammed, has released 185 inmates from various custodial centres across the state.
The decision was made as part of an initiative to decongest the prisons and ensure the well-being of inmates.
Following her visit to the Billiri Correctional Centre on Friday, Justice Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the committee’s efforts in ensuring that eligible inmates were freed.
She praised the support and dedication of the committee members in making the exercise successful.
The release included a variety of cases: at the Gombe Correctional Centre, 75 inmates were granted bail, 61 were released unconditionally, and 10 were freed due to good conduct.
In Billiri Correctional Centre, six inmates were released on bail, 26 unconditionally, and seven were released based on their good behaviour while incarcerated.
Justice Mohammed stated the importance of justice and urged all magistrates in the state to carefully evaluate each case before delivering judgments.
Gombe CJ frees 185 prison inmates

CUPP faults Tinubu’s silence on hunger protest

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CUPP faults Tinubu’s silence on hunger protest

The Coalition of United Political Parties has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over what it described as his ‘sidon-look’ and ‘I-don’t-care’ attitude towards the ongoing protests in the country.

The coalition described as “woeful” the President’s leadership style which it said has thrown the whole country “into the current bloody crises” amid the hunger protest.

In a statement on Friday by the opposition coalition’s spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, the group said rather than Tinubu addressing the nation as President directly, he has chosen to allow his spokesmen and other government officials insult the sensibilities of Nigerians by making provocative statements.

The statement read, “In the buildup to the nationwide hunger protests, the President didn’t deem it fit to address Nigerians directly but chose to allow his spokesmen and other government officials to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians by making provocative statements that further escalated the people’s anger.

“A responsible and proactive President would have demonstrated leadership weeks ago by directly addressing the nation and giving some concessions that would have staved off or minimized the mass protests.

“But he chose to engage in ‘sidon-look’ and ‘I-don’t-care’ attitude towards the whole thing. His woeful leadership style has thrown the whole country into the current bloody crises that have functionally locked down the country’s already sick economy and social life.”

The group mentioned that if Tinubu had shown leadership by talking to Nigerians and taking necessary actions by holding dialogue with organisers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests and other critical stakeholders in the country, including the opposition, “most of the deaths and destructions witnessed on just Day 1 of the protests would have been averted or significantly ameliorated.”

CUPP continued saying, “The people are justifiably angry because Nigerians are hungry. To worsen the matter, irresponsible statements like they would be feasting while Nigerians protested were being recklessly made by high profile people in the APC government like Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and others.”

The opposition parties condemned, “the attitude of taking Nigerians for granted by this administration and the lack of capacity to govern well so far demonstrated by the Tinubu administration since its inception last year.”

“We hold the Federal Government responsible for all deaths and destruction of properties being witnessed in these nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance.

“The government had ample time to forestall this violence but refused to take any meaningful actions to engage Nigerians and resolve the crisis even before it started.

“We urge the security agencies to exercise utmost restraints in their encounter with protesters. We equally call on Nigerians to avoid looting and all forms of criminality in the course of these protests.  Nothing must be done to undermine our democracy as a nation.”

Reduce fuel price to barest minimum, N’Delta group tells Tinubu 

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Reduce fuel price to barest minimum, N’Delta group tells Tinubu 

As the #EndBadGovernance national protest enters day three, a sociopolitical group in the South-South, the Niger Delta Youth Council has called on President Bola Tinubu to “address the main cause of the protest by reducing fuel price to N180 per litre or the barest minimum for the sake of the national economy.”

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the NDYC President and Secretary respectively, Bene Mamamu and Onitsha Shedrack, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri Delta State on Saturday.

The group specifically urged Tinubu to “revisit some of his economic policies that are suffocating Nigerians and occasioning the present protest.”

The statement partly reads, “As a youth organisation in Niger Delta, we are calling on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider some of his economic policies that have brought about unprecedented hardship on Nigerians. Subsidy of petroleum products was the only benefit enjoyed by the ordinary Nigerians.

“Since the removal of subsidy, Nigerians have been suffering, businesses, companies, investors and the common man have experienced the worst form of hardship.

“This has resulted in this nationwide protest as the only means by which the people express their civil rights, vent their frustration and tell the political class that enough is enough.”

While urging security operatives not to harass peaceful protesters, the group warned protesting Nigerians to shun all forms of violence and destruction of public properties in the name of the protest just as it appealed to them to “calm down and stop the protest while President Tinubu addresses the current economic hardship bedevilling the country”.

The NDYC, while commending Tinubu for providing palliatives however noted, “The resources being expended for the provision and distribution of palliatives to some selected few could be channelled to fully subsidise petroleum products before addressing infrastructural needs of the country.”

The group urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu and appealed to the protesters to “Calm down and stop the protest for normal life and businesses to thrive. The protest is doing the economy more harm than good.”

The group further urged Tinubu to, “Call for a meeting of stakeholders, leaders and the youths across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to brainstorm on possible long-term solution aimed at addressing the current challenges in the country.

“It will be in the best interest of the country if President Tinubu calls for immediate stakeholders meeting especially with leaders and youth groups of the various regions in the country to have another look into the issue of fuel subsidy removal, and how Nigerians have fared and address their legitimate demands”, it reiterated.

“We pray for the president to have a rethink on commercialization of education and floating of Naira, and increase in electricity tariff all of which have led to job losses amidst several other devastating consequences.

“What is needed at this time is how the President will immediately address the issues and initiate policies to push down prices, not palliatives that often net into the hands of some few. Palliatives are never a solution to any problem in this country.”

It added that the group would initiate a meeting with the President to discuss the way forward.

“Niger Delta Youth Council led by Comrade Bene Mamamu will be reaching out to their counterparts in Kano State for North-West, Adamawa for North-East, Plateau State for North-Central, Akwa Ibom State for South-South, Lagos State for South-West and Anambra State, South-East to have a meeting with President Tinubu to propose a means of tackling the high cost of living.

“It is urgent as inflation on food and fuel has affected industries and the common man, the economic hardship is costing citizens their lives. Mr President should urgently look into the situation and fix the country. For all protesters, let us give peace a chance, the more the protest the more difficult the economic hardship, We are appealing as a council to Mr. President to repay the subsidy if possible, where fuel will come down to 185, 200 or 300 Naira per litre.

“We urge Mr President to go back to the drawing board and revert to our previous living before he took over office as the number one citizen of the country. The National Assembly members and other Lawmakers in the country should focus on legislation aimed at economic solutions for Nigerians. If the President could change the national anthem with much ease and speed, why can’t they channel similar proactive measures to fix the country”, the statement concluded.

Akume hailed for peaceful protests in North Central

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Akume hailed for peaceful protests in North Central

Youths under the aegis of North Central Integrity Forum have commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for the advisory roles he played to ensure that youths in the region embarked on peaceful protests.

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, the Convener of the group, Joseph Maiwada said they decided to hail the SGF on his numerous promises in order to give the federal government a chance to address the needs of the citizens.

He lauded the efforts of the former Governor of Benue State for making time to meet and appeal with the several youth groups to either shelve the planned protest or conduct themselves orderly during the demonstrations in a bid to sustain the existing peace in the region and Nigeria at large.

He said, “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume had appealed to notable youth groups and some pressure groups around the North Central zone of the country to shelve the protests, and assured us of the government’s commitment to better the welfare of the citizens.

“So, we decided to pacify our people to back down from embarking on the protests because the SGF has always stood with us and supported our course. Our decision was also to ensure that we all continue to live in peace and unity in the country.

“The North Central Integrity Forum, therefore wishes to pass a vote of confidence on the SGF for how he has carried the North Central along as one big united entity that is now more than ever ready to pursue its aspirations with a united front.”

While commending the several youth groups in Benue, Kogi and Kwara States for completely backing out of the protest, Maiwada expressed his gratitude to the youths in other states of the region for conducting themselves orderly during the demonstrations.

Maiwada, therefore, advised other organisers of the nationwide protests to enter into a dialogue with the federal government on their demands, instead of embarking on the protests which could negatively affect the lives and means of livelihoods of many citizens of the country.

“The North Central Integrity Forum wishes to urge all the stakeholders to embrace dialogue as the federal government had assured that they would address the several concerns raised by the citizens.

“We are confident in the assurances given by the SGF, and we thank him for the roles he has continued to play to maintain the existing peace in the North Central region of the country. We would, therefore, want to use this opportunity to assure him of our loyalty and support at all times,” he added

Police barricade Abuja stadium with vehicles

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Police barricade Abuja stadium with vehicles

After dispersing protesters, security operatives have blocked the entrance of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

 

According Online earlier reported that security operatives dispersed protesters demonstrating in front of the national stadium.

 

Shortly afterwards, while the protesters and journalists were trying to reconvene, security operatives dispersed them from the facility with gunshots.

 

Our correspondent, who is currently at the venue, reported that the security operatives aimed at protesters and journalists who ran for cover.

As a result of this, the police used armoured and patrol vehicles to block the entrance of the stadium to stop the protesters from converging there again.

 

The protesters had disagreed with the police to go inside the stadium.

 

Angered by that, the policemen fired teargas at the protesters to disperse them.

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#EndBadGovernance: Soldiers ambushed us, shot live rounds

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#EndBadGovernance: Soldiers ambushed us, shot live rounds

One of the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protesters in Abuja has alleged that soldiers ambushed them on Friday when they attempted to march around the MKO Abiola Natiomal Stadium.

According Online reports that policemen fired teargas at the protesters around the National Hospital Area.

A protester, Zaye Michael, who is the Founder, Passion for Positive Change Initiative, made the allegation when the protesters held a congress at the stadium on Saturday.

He alleged that policemen and officers of the Department of State Services pulled back, allowing soldiers to ambush them, trapping them in multiple rounds of teargas canisters and forcing them to take cover in the bushes.

He also said that they remained in the bushes for nearly four hours while the military shot live rounds.

 

More details later…

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