Suspected Boko Haram elements on Thursday infiltrated #EndBadGovernance protesters along the Baga Road in Maiduguri and killed four persons.
At least 34 others sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal, disclosed this to journalists in Maiduguri.
He said the police swiftly deployed the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD), Base 13, which probed the scene and rendered the area around a filling station safe.
Lawal said the injured persons and corpses were evacuated to Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for treatment and autopsy.
The CP, who spoke on police declaration of 24 hours curfew in the state, said many minors, mostly almajiris, between the ages of 9 and 15, took over the Maiduguri-Kano Road to vandalise public property.
He noted that despite police persuasion, the crowd turned riotous, forcefully broke police barriers, pelted stones at officers, and advanced towards the city centre.
He added that the rioters later spilled over to other parts of Maiduguri Municipal and broke into the Borno state Mechanical Workshop along Baga Road.
“They looted vocational skills acquisition equipment, and vandalized five official vehicles belonging to BOTMA.”
According to him, 14 suspects had been arrested and are currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in the state capital.
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Four killed, 34 injured as Boko Haram insurgents infiltrate #EndBadGovernance protesters in Borno
Protest: You were nowhere to be found – Okai mocks Wike
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State, Austin Okai, has mocked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike over the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
Okai said Wike was nowhere to be found as protesters, whom he refered to as Gen Z, stormed Asokoro area of the FCT.
He noted that the protesters moved gallantly despite being tear-gased by security agents.
Posting on X, the 2023 PDP candidate for the Federal House of Representative election for Dekina/Bassa in Kogi State, accused the Police of causing chaos.
He wrote: “Gen Z stormed Asokoro Wike no where to be found. Moving gallantly inside the TEARGAS as aggrieved citizens.
“This is evident that Police caused the anarchy, chaos and violence #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
Protesters had barricaded the Jikweyi-Kurudu- Karshi axis of the FCT by burning tyres on the road on Wednesday.
Some uniformed personnel stationed at the district Police station along Kurudu, directly opposite the Post Service Housing Estate, were seen on red alert with their tear gas canisters handy.
Protest: You were nowhere to be found – Okai mocks Wike
Protest: Fubara alleges plot by enemies to destroy state assets
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has alleged that there is a scheme involving hired thugs to vandalize key infrastructure in the state under the pretense of protests.
Governor Fubara made these claims during a meeting with representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and the Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, at the Government House Banquet Hall in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Citing recent events in the state, Fubara asserted that there are still individuals intent on destabilizing Rivers State by any means necessary.
Fubara said, “You are already aware of the political situation of our State where people are looking for every avenue to destabilize this State. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out that act.
“And that is the reason why I, representing the government, and the service commanders, have always been in touch with you all, pleading that we should shelve this protest.
“And even if you have to do it, we should do it in a way and manner that it will not get out of control.
“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into this state to cause mayhem.
“If anything happens here, we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property will be destroyed. Our economy will be destroyed. And when they finish, they will go back to their states.
Making reference to the Kenyan situation, the governor said, “Look at what has happened in Kenya. It will take them another 20 years to rebuild those things that are being destroyed.
“In Rivers State, we are not that financially bouyant to now start retrogressing where we have already passed. Instead of maintaining and increasing what we have, we will be thinking of rebuilding, if destroyed. Let us not allow it happen.”
In a statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Governor Fubara acknowledged the economic difficulties many Nigerians are facing.
He added that the Federal Government is implementing measures aimed at alleviating these hardships and ensuring a better future for the people.
Fubara also outlined the actions his administration is taking to address the needs and challenges of Rivers residents, while expressing support for the Federal Government’s efforts.
Protest: Fubara alleges plot by enemies to destroy state assets
Patrol helicopter monitors Lagos protest venue
A patrol helicopter was spotted hovering over the venue of the #EndBadGovernance protest in the Ojota area of Lagos State on Thursday.
The white chopper moved in a circle at a slow pace for about twenty minutes.
Meanwhile, the protesters have refused to converge in the Freedom Park garden, instead currently occupying the service lane.
Speaking to our correspondent, one of the leaders of the protest, Tunji Abayomi, claimed that it was an attempt to confine them.
He said, “Originally, this is our traditional protest ground, but we won’t allow the government to confine us inside the garden.”
Another protester, Steven Adams, said he was not ready to enter the garden, citing the incident that occurred at the Lekki toll gate during the #EndSARS protest.
“I am security conscious because I don’t know the plans of the police. What if it is a trap?”
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, had also visited the scene of the protest.
The police boss, who arrived at about 11:25 am, was seen monitoring the activities of the protesters.
A mild drama, however, ensued when Fayoade entered the park to inspect the premises, as the protesters voiced their refusal to gather there.
He, however, left the scene of the protest a little while later.
The Gani Fawehinmi Park and Peace Park in Ojota are the designated routes approved by the court for holding protests.
The protesters, who marched from Ikeja under the bridge, arrived in Ojota around 11 am.
Sanwo-Olu charges agro-food companies to reduce food prices
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday urged agro-food companies to collaborate with the government on efforts to bring down the prices of food items in the state.
The governor made the call when the senior management team of Olam Agri Nigeria Limited led by the Managing Director, Mr. Anil Nair, visited him at the Lagos State House in Marina.
He said: “There is no better security these days than food. Today being the first day of August, you can see in the streets in Nigeria there’s some sort of hunger protest.
“How I wish that you and I after this meeting will make a broadcast that food prices have gone down by 25 percent, it will be great news for both of us.
“That speaks to the reason why we chose you to listen and hear and be able to work together. You are in a strategic position and you have that structure and that capacity.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed that Olam remained a strategic brand that had caused a great turnaround in Lagos State.
He recalled his days as a banker, saying that Olam was an account that everybody usually wanted to have.
The governor added: “It wasn’t a company where you need to wait 90 days or 100 days for their cheques. Bankers would hang around their offices, and as the sales were going on, they were just picking the cheques.
“So for us as government, we watch that growth. I know you must have gone through your challenges along the line either government policies that have somersaulted or some of your good plans but you stayed the course.”
He urged the brand to consider its longstanding relationship with the state and forge partnership with the state by looking beyond the current economic situation and leveraging it.
“We’re also happy that half of your entire workforce are in Lagos. These are all indicators that you are here for the long haul.
“Beyond that, I urge you to look at the market, to look at the industry as a critical industry; food security, food systems is as critical as people trying to safeguard either their medical security or even sovereign security in terms of war.
“I believe part of the things that you owe the state and the people that have also been loyal to your products is to consider what level of giveback you are making consciously.
“I don’t want to use the word, “Corporate Social Responsibility” but what level of slowdown in shareholder appreciation are you going to throw back into the system,” he stated.
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Protest: Hunger now unifying factor in Nigeria – Dino Melaye
Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye says hunger is now a unifying factor in Nigeria.
This is even as he called on the government to act responsibly by looking into the prayers and demands of the protesters.
Melaye, in a video on his X handle on Thursday, said the Presidency should take their demands and prayers very seriously.
He said: “I use this opportunity to call on the federal government and indeed the presidency to take the demand of these protesters and their prayers very seriously.
“Hunger is a unifying factor today in Nigeria. The government must act responsibly by looking into the prayers of protesters. Hungry people are angry people.
“We must as a country respect our citizens. So government must meet with the demands of the protesters. And to the protesters, please don’t destroy public properties. Let’s have a peaceful demand and a peaceful protest. Nigeria by the grace of God we shall overcome.”
TVN reports that some Nigerians are on a nationwide protest starting on August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The organisers of the protest have lamented about widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
Protest: Hunger now unifying factor in Nigeria – Dino Melaye
Lagos Praise Jamz fosters unity, says Sanwo-Olu’s wife
The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has explained how the Lagos Praise Jamz event evolved.
According to her, the event has become a major platform fostering unity in the five divisions of the state.
The Lagos Praise Jamz is an annual programme by the Lagos family and is organised by the Office of the First Lady.
In her opening remarks at the Lagos Praise 2024, fourth edition, on Wednesday, with the theme, “Song and Praise Him For Victory,” held at the First Lady Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu said the programme started as a monthly praise and prayer session in 2019 and has since evolved into a major annual Lagos Praise event.
She said, “This transformation has fostered unity within the body of Christ and created a profound atmosphere of sincere worship and praise to our God.”
“At the inception of the administration of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in 2019, the idea of the Monthly Praise and Prayer Session was introduced by the First Family through the Office of the First Lady.”
“This initiative started as a platform for the First Family, Graceful Ladies, and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, which is also chaired by the First Lady, to come together in collaboration with the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, to gather in worship and appreciate God for His faithfulness and loving-kindness and for good governance, peace, and development of Lagos State.”
“According to the Holy Bible, praise is fundamental and it is one of the catalysts that guarantee access to the presence of God. It is fundamental to every human being, which is why Psalms 67:3 says: ‘Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee.’”
She added that “the monthly Praise and Worship Programme was fixed for every last Thursday of the month and has been held consistently over the last four years, continuing to be held at both Lagos House Chapel, Marina, and Lagos House Chapel, Alausa, Ikeja. This programme has emerged as a leading platform to unite all Christians and galvanise them towards praising and interceding for God’s intervention in the state.”
She further said that the praise jam draws participants from across the five administrative divisions of the state, namely Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe.
Businessman killed by stray bullet amid violent protest in Kebbi
A businessman was killed by a bullet allegedly fired by police operatives during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest in the Yauri local government area of Kebbi State on Thursday.
An eyewitness, Malam Umar Bako Yelwa, told journalists that the bullet fired by the police near the Yauri River hit the deceased in his plastics shop in the area.
He said the protest escalated when demonstrators blocked the federal highway and disrupted traffic into Yauri town.
The operatives while attempting to disperse the protesters allegedly fired their weapons and one stray bullet fatally hit the unidentified plastic seller in his shop.
The situation in Yauri remains tense.
Efforts to reach the spokesman for the state police command, Nafiu Abubakar, to confirm the incident were unsuccessful as calls and text messages to him were not returned.
Meanwhile, the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, remains calm despite the extended protest in certain areas of the town.
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AXA Mansard highlights climate change threat
AXA Mansard has stated the urgent need for increased efforts to check against the impacts of climate change posing a threat to humanity.
In a statement issued by AXA Mansard to According Online on Wednesday, during the launch of Shared Value Nigeria, the Chief Client Officer AXA Mansard, Rashidat Adebisi, explained that climate change is causing significant and widespread impacts on the environment, human health, and economies globally.
She acknowledged that climate change poses an existential threat to life on Earth, necessitating urgent action to mitigate its effects
“AXA has a two-pillar approach to sustainability: climate change and inclusive protection. This involves conscious efforts to minimise environmental impact and ensure that we drive health, well-being, and economic inclusivity within the vulnerable community such as women, children, girls, and so on,” she said.
She added, “For us at AXA, our perspective on profit with purpose is at the heart of our sustainability agenda. We believe that a sustainable world is an insurable world. So, if we continue committing ourselves and resources to make the world safer, more secure, and healthier, we can create prosperity for everyone.”
Adebisi, a guest speaker at the launch, told industry leaders that value creation for all is where everyone wins.
“It means that people live better lives, the planet is protected, and the business makes profits to fulfill its obligations to its stakeholders. It involves fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and ethical practices that benefit today and preserve tomorrow,” she explained.
She added that in addition to operational changes, AXA Mansard strategically avoids supporting industries detrimental to long-term sustainability. Conversely, the company invests in sectors promising future growth and stability.
She also said the company’s continued collaborations with telecoms, fintech, and retail sectors are some of its strategic moves for sustainable shared value principles.
“On the one hand, these partnerships have been pivotal in expanding our reach across Nigeria, which is good for business, but on the other hand, they have also helped create more impact. We have reached more vulnerable communities through this digital and technology acceleration with healthcare services, capacity development, and financial empowerment programmes. This is the bedrock of our inclusive protection because if you look closely at the model, there is value across the chain for everyone. The same for our involvement in climate change; if the world is safe, we will be here to ensure the prosperity that it brings”.
She said the company’s purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters is at the heart of its sustainability agenda.
AXA Mansard’s commitment to sustainability recently earned its recognition as one of the sustainability leaders in Africa by Brand Finance
Paris Olympics: D’Tigress defeated by host nation France
Nigeria women’s basketball team D’Tigress were defeated by the host nation France in their second group B game of the Paris Olympic Games.
The Nigerian ladies had stunned world number 3 Australia in their opening game earlier this week, but could not stand the determination of France.
France won the game with almost 20-point difference as Nigeria will now wait for their third outing to fight for a spot in the next round.
D’Tigress started off well, fighting back from a huge deficit to finish the first quarter 24-20 in France’s favour.
Read Also: FG praises D’Tigress after incredible victory over Australia at Paris Olympics
After the second quarter, scoreline had gone up to 38-31 against Nigeria, and by the third quarter D’Tigress were trailing by 15 points as the score stood at 54-39.
Despite moments of brilliance by coach Rena Wakama’s girls, the French team were overpowering as they held on to their lead to win 75-54 the after the final quarter.
More to follow…
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