The Minna branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the alleged killings of six protesters in Suleja, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
The association also lambasted security agencies for using force on protesters during the nationwide mass protest against hunger and hardship in parts of Niger State.
The chairman of the Minna branch of NBA, Isyaku Barau, stated this in a signed statement made available to journalists in Minna.
“We condemn in strong terms the chaotic violent protest leading to the killing of six protesters by security personnel in Suleja area of the states,” he said.
He also called for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the alleged killings.
The NBA statement applauded the collective decision of the people of the state to refuse to participate in the ongoing nationwide protest against hardship and hunger.
Barau explained that before the commencement of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, the President of NBA, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, had acknowledged that there was widespread hunger and suffering among Nigerians.
Barau, while “calling on the government to expedite actions to provide relief,” also appealed to the protest organisers and the Nigerian populace to shelve the protests and engage in frank discussions with the government.
According to him, the NBA president foresaw the potential negative danger of the protests based on the fact that previous peaceful protests in Nigeria had often been hijacked and turned violent by miscreants and hoodlums.
Against this backdrop, the NBA President had directed all branches of the association to form Situation Monitoring Committees to observe the protests as they proceeded.
“The Minna branch of the NBA has already constituted a ten-member committee chaired by the branch’s Vice Chairman, Mohammed Abugi, who is also the chairman of the Human Rights Committee of NBA, Minna Branch.
“The committee’s role is to collaborate with security agencies to protect peaceful protesters, monitor the protests for human rights abuses, compile and document evidence of such abuses, liaise with security authorities in emergencies, and provide pro bono legal services for peaceful protesters if needed,” Barau further disclosed.
He noted that the NBA Minna branch, while recognising the constitutional rights of Nigerians to protest, strongly condemned acts of violence, looting, and the wanton destruction of private and public properties under the guise of protest, particularly the alleged attack and destruction of the Local Government Secretariat in Tafa.
“The decision of many people in Niger State not to participate in the ongoing nationwide protests is linked to the positive impacts of the Niger State Government’s initiatives on urban renewal and food security, which are expected to address hunger in the state soon,” he added.
Minna NBA calls for independent panel to investigate killing of six protesters
Minna NBA calls for independent panel to investigate killing of six protesters
IPC raises alarm over attacks on journalists covering protests
The International Press Centre has raised the alarm that increasing attacks on journalists by security agents and hoodlums were deliberate attempts to discourage them from reporting the truth about the protests.
On Thursday, some officials from the office of the National Security Adviser abducted and carted away the camera and phones of The According photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola.
The officials have yet to return his belongings as of the time of filing this report.
On Friday in the Federal Capital Territory, police officers fired teargas at journalists covering the protest at the Berger roundabout.
Also, on Saturday, masked security operatives fired sporadically at journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter’s car conveying journalists out of the location.
The journalists inside the car shot at by security agents are those of The Punch, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.
In Borno State, nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested by security officials in Maiduguri as they were reporting the protests.
Other journalists covering the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest have been harassed and victimized either by security agents or hoodlums.
Lamenting these attacks, IPC in a statement on Saturday by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan stated that the alarming trend jeopardizes the safety of the journalists involved and undermines the integrity of the information that citizens rely on to fully understand the crisis.
He said, “As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter the third day, the International Press Centre, Lagos finds it totally appalling that journalists covering and reporting the protests are still being targeted, victimized and brutally assaulted by security officials, hoodlums and anti-protesters.
“IPC frowns at this inhumane attitude towards the media and press men and women in the course of serving as a societal watchdog.
“Information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that there is a continuous increase in the number of journalists and media professionals who are facing one form of attack or the other including physical assault, harassment, unlawful detention, etc.
“IPC believes these increasing attacks are meant to deter the media from reporting the truth about the protests. This disturbing trend undermines not only the safety of the journalists concerned but also the integrity of the information citizens can rely on to understand the full scope of the crisis.”
He called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other heads of security agencies to call their men to order.
Akinjiyan said, “IPC reiterates the need for the Inspector General of Police and all other security agencies to call their men on the field to order. It is also crucial that all stakeholders come together to condemn the abuse and harassment of journalists and demand immediate protection for those on the field. Our collective voice is a powerful tool for advocating for their safety and ensuring that their essential work continues unhindered.
“IPC will continue to call for an end to the brutality and for a renewed commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all journalists.”
Edo CSOs withdraw from #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest
Some Civil Society Organisations in Edo on Saturday said they have withdrawn from the ongoing nationwide protest against bad government and hunger.
In a press conference in Benin on Saturday, one of the leaders of the protest, Curtis Ugbebor, said that the withdrawal was due to an intelligence report and the need to re-strategise.
He said, “At this junction, due to an intelligent report, the CSO is withdrawing from the protest to restrategise and that is not to say that Nigerians who wish to express themselves cannot do so.
“But I will want to say that we have achieved a lot and stated our demands which we expect the government to look into. This has been achieved without bloodshed and destruction of properties
“We shall continue to ensure that the federal and state government address the demand of Edo State citizens.”
Another leader of the protest, Emmanuel Ogude, urged the government to ensure hunger ends in the country, noting that politicians should earn minimum wage.
He said, “Every politician that wants to serve must be placed under the national minimum wage because there is hunger in the land. We want the electricity tariff and fuel price to be returned to where the administration met it. All federal roads leading to Edo State should be fixed with immediate effect. We want the government to adhere to our demands.
However, at Ring Road, the venue of the protest on Saturday, the protesters turned out in numbers, dancing to popular songs and then moved round the Ring Road.
At a point, the organisers became apprehensive of a group that showed up midway into the protest.
One of the planning committee members, who gave his name as Ero, said that the group had to be watched carefully as the organisers were bent on keeping the protest peaceful.
The police and other security agencies were on hand to provide security for the protesters and blocked all the entry points to the venue to prevent hoodlums from infiltrating the protest.
Businesses opened on Lagos Street and Oba Market as residents used the opportunity to buy goods especially food items while vehicular and human movements also improved.
St. Lucia’s Alfred wins Olympics women’s 100m gold
3rd August 2024
Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred stunned favourite Sha’Carri Richardson to win the Olympics women’s 100m gold medal on Saturday, etching her name into history to claim the Caribbean nation’s first ever medal at the Games.
Alfred – who had never finished on the podium at a major outdoor championships prior to Saturday’s final – conjured a superb race to win in 10.72sec as the USA’s Richardson took silver in 10.87sec and compatriot Melissa Jefferson won bronze in 10.92sec.
AFP
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Protesters storm Kano streets with Russian flags, seek Putin’s intervention
Protesters in Kano State have reportedly taken to the streets waving Russian flags and calling for intervention from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
They are seeking Putin’s intervention, suggesting their grievances are not being addressed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The development has been confirmed by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital Communication, Bashir Ahmad.
Ahmad raised the alarm that protesters in Kano State were waving Russian flags.
In a post on X on Saturday, he said it’s crucial for authorities to closely monitor the situation and take necessary precautions.
According to him, the development may indicate various underlying sentiments or influences that need to be carefully assessed and addressed by the government.
Protesters storm Kano streets with Russian flags, seek Putin’s intervention
FCT: Police deny killing protester in Kubwa, warn against fake news
Contrary to reports in circulation, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied shooting a teenage protester in Kubwa.
Video footage making the rounds alleged that operatives of the police command killed a yet-to-be-identified teenager on the third day of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest.
Reacting, the command, in a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, stated that its operatives were not responsible for the death of the teenager.
She, however, said FCT Commissioner of Police Benneth Igweh, has ordered an immediate investigation to ascertain the remote cause of the death.
According to her, the operatives deployed to the axis were not issued “lethal arms but only anti-riot equipment not capable of causing the death of the teenager.”
The command called on residents to shun misinformation, stating that some mischievous individuals are hiding behind the current situation in the country to peddle fake news.
FCT: Police deny killing protester in Kubwa, warn against fake news
Normalcy returns to Delta community
Normalcy has returned to Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday, the third day of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
Our correspondent reports that business and commercial activities have fully resumed across the community.
Specifically, the popular Otovwodo Junction, Ughelli, along the East-West Road where protesters had been converged on the first day of the protest, was deserted on Saturday thus giving relief to inter-state travellers on the East-West Road.
It will be recalled that travellers from Benin to Port Harcourt and other parts of the Eastern region of the country got stranded for several hours at the Otovwodo Junction, long the East-West Road where protesters had a field day.
The According gathered that most of the Ughelli protesters shunned the protest on Saturday morning following a warning from the Local Government Chairman, Jaro Egbo and the police.
Most shops and business premises that were closed on Thursday and Friday reopened with traders and customers seen going about their daily activities without molestation.
Also, some residents of the community who initially stayed indoors for fear of violence have came out, going about their daily activities.
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Incessant building collapse worries Anambra government
The Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Chike Maduekwe, has said that the frequent building collapses in the state have become a source of concern and embarrassment for the state government.
Maduekwe remarked that buildings are collapsing in the state in quick succession, giving the impression that there is no regulatory body in place.
He stated this during a press briefing in his office in Amawbia, Anambra State, on Saturday, noting that whenever a building collapses, there is a traceable reason behind it rather than simply blaming the individuals involved.
He said, “Building collapses cannot be completely eradicated because they involve human factors. Human errors cannot be entirely ruled out in anything that involves people. You can sequentially reduce it, but you cannot completely eliminate it.
“For instance, Lagos is also one of the areas where buildings are collapsing. There are reasons for this, and whenever such incidents occur, the first step is to identify the cause so that similar incidents can be prevented.
“I keep saying every day that the most regulated industry in the world is the airline industry, yet we still experience plane crashes. The accident investigation bodies understand what happened and how to prevent future occurrences, but this is not always the case with building collapses.”
He added, “People often do not care to understand what happened. Sometimes, they blame the individuals in charge.
The state government is taking this matter seriously, knowing that no government has enough personnel to ensure continuous monitoring. We will work with consultants, professional bodies, engineers, architects, builders, and others to address the issue.”
Fire breaks out at NNPC oil well
Fire has been reported on Akaso 4 Wellhead operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company 18 Operating Limited in Rivers State.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, Olaide Shonola, on Saturday.
The incident, which has extended along the adjacent riverbank is reported to have occurred on Friday at about 11:12 pm.
“NNPC 18 Operating Limited has confirmed that a rapid response emergency team has been deployed to secure the well, address the incident and isolate the affected area using spill containment materials to prevent further spread and contamination of the environment. They are also planning to start the oil recovery process immediately,” Shonola said.
She added that the company had deployed a Naval Houseboat within the incident area and established community surveillance to monitor the situation.
While stating that the cause of the incident is not yet known, Shonola disclosed that a joint investigation with relevant stakeholders was being planned to determine the cause and the area of impact.
She noted that the Akaso Well 4 has been out of operation for a significant period.
Meanwhile, the NUPRC spokesperson revealed that the fire at the NNPC’s Alakiri Well 9T, which started on February 23, 2024, is still raging.
“The contractor engaged in dealing with the situation, Kenyon International West Africa Company, is facing some challenges in putting out the fire.
“They are now planning to deploy the total oxygen extraction method instead of the heat extraction method currently being deployed.
“The equipment fabrication is 100 per cent complete and the contractor is awaiting mobilisation from the well owners. Contractor personnel are on-site monitoring the incident,” she stressed.
It was learnt that a meeting with the management of NNPC 18 Operating Limited is planned to review the safety and integrity of its operations.
“We will provide further updates on the incident as soon as they are available,” she submitted.
Nigeria unveils Utapate, new low-sulfur crude grade
Nigeria has added another low-sulphur crude grade called Utapate as the country struggles to ramp up daily oil production.
The Utapate terminal was recently launched in the Niger Delta region, according to data from Bloomberg.
The report stated that the new terminal produced almost 19,000 barrels per day in June, with a production to reach 50,000 by the end of 2024.
Utapate, a subsidiary of state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and venture partner, Natural Oilfield Services Limited, loaded the first export cargo last month, according to people familiar with the matter.
The light and low-sulphur oil is among the numerous crude grades produced in Nigeria.
According to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, the Suezmax Front Seoul loaded Utapate on July 24.
The vessel is now headed to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The Utapate grade is set to be processed in both Europe and Asia.
The first shipment of Utapate is destined for the Spanish refiner Repsol SA.
As of June, Nigeria’s daily production stood at 1.25 million barrels per day, according to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Recently, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed that daily oil production has risen to 1.6mbpd in July.
This claim has yet to be confirmed as the data for July has yet to be released.
Similarly, the NNPC has also said it would do everything possible to achieve 2mbpd.
Experts said this is the only way the NNPC could conveniently sell 450,000bpd to Dangote and other local refineries as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
