By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on Wednesday carried out a scathing review of the Nigeria Police, tracing the reason behind the rights violations, extortion, and brutality that has sparked protests across the country.

During an appearance on the Channels TV’s Politics Today, via a Skype call, the senior advocate traced the problem to how policemen and women are trained for their roles.

It is a process he believes is archaic and leaves officers with “no idea of human rights, human relations”.

“We are really not addressing the problems,” he warned referring to efforts made to reform the police.

“The training of the police is colonial; completely primitive. A man joining the Police Force, he goes to the police college. A woman goes to the police college dehumanised. A woman cannot make her hair; she has to cut her hair. A man has to shave his hair to the skull. The feeding is bad.”

Falana’s comments come amid widespread protests against police brutality, especially the activities of the now-dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad that became notorious for extortion, assault, and killings.

The human rights lawyer who has repeatedly condemned rights violations by the police is not, however, surprised by the terror unleashed on citizens by members of the unit and many of their colleagues in the force overtime.

Police training in the country, he said, prepares them to disregard rights.

“They are trained like colonial policemen to brutalise the society and that is what is going on,” he said. And it is not just starting.

According to him, as far back as the Second Republic, issues of extrajudicial killings had emerged with the Nigerian Mobile Police unit at the receiving end of allegations of brutality.

“So, those who are in mobile unit – we used to call them kill and go in the Second Republic under IGP (Sunday) Adewusi (in office from 1981-1983), that has transformed into SARS.”

The brutality as far as Falana is concerned is implanted in their psyche at the police college.

“What is the training in the college? They (trainees) are teargassed in rooms without windows. And for them (the authorities) that is the way to train them. They are beaten, tortured, and the feeding is bad,” he said.

“So when the man or the woman comes out of the college, he wants to brutalise the society that dehumanised him in the college.”

Then there is the issue of poor salaries and welfare with barracks and stations denied adequate funding.

“Police stations are not funded. So, daily, to run the station, the DPOs depend on extortion of money from the public, from suspects,” Falana added.

“Some stations are not built by the government but by members of the community.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engr. Joseph Tegbe has feliciilated with Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III on the occasion of his 82nd birthday anniversary.

Tegbe, in a congratulatory message made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, described Alaafin as an embodiment of royalty at its very best. He said that the first-class monarch is undoubtedly a great repository of wisdom and knowledge. “Kábíyèsí can be aptly described as an encyclopedia of culture and traditions of the entire Yoruba race; an institution revered far and near”.

Part of the statement reads:

“I’d like to felicitate with His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and by extension, all Oyo sons and daughters, at home and in diaspora on the occasion of his 82nd birthday”.

“Oba Adeyemi has over the years, successfully sustained an heritage of patience, tolerance and always be at the vanguard of peace which is the hallmark of good governance. We will continue to celebrate his legacy of peace and harmony which  promotes development in Oyo State and across the country”.

“I extol the uncommon wisdom with which our royal father has been administering his domain for over half a century; consistently promoting peace and sustainable development. I pray that the dreams we share towards the development of the state and the uplift of her people will come to pass. I wish Ikú Bàbá Yèyé a wonderful celebration”

By Oluwakemi Ishola

A former Secretary to the Oyo state government and the Gubernatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in 2019 general elections in Oyo state, Oloye Sharafadeen Alli has described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, as a quintessential traditional ruler and custodian of the culture and tradition of the Yoruba race.

Alli in the congratulatory message he personally signed to celebrate the monarch on his 82nd birthday, said the Alaafin is an ambassador of unity, development and greatness, not only in Yoruba land but in Nigeria, Africa and in the whole world.

He said the contributions of the monarch to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture at home and in the diaspora, as well as the promotion of traditional institution were unquantifiable.

The Ibadan senior chief therefore commended the roles of the monarch in ensuring that yoruba people are not left behind in the scheme of things in Nigeria.

He said, “Kabiyesi deserves to be celebrated. He is an epitome of intelligence, culture and intellectualism in royalty. I particularly salute his commitment towards ensuring the unity of the Yoruba race. He is a repository of knowledge and symbol of intellectualism.

“As Baba continues to age with grace, candour and resplendence, I wish him long life and sound health in the service to humanity,” Alli added.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo  State has approved the sum of N312 million for the installation of 58 motorized boreholes across the 33 local government areas of the state.

By Oluwakemi Ishola

The permanent Chairman Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State – Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has described Governor Seyi Makinde as a practical politician, who has used leadership position to redefine governance in the State.

The top-class king said this when he received France Ambassador, Mr Pasquier Jerome in His palace on Tuesday. Mr. Pasquier had earlier visited the State governor and major tourist sites alongside his entourage.

Those on the visiting team was Mr Rafael Pont, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of France, the Consul General, Embassy of France, Mrs Monmayrant Laurence and Prof. Mathieu Leila who is the head of Science and Higher Education Attaché, political appointees and officials of the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The paramount king said Makinde has succeeded since the inception of his administration to fulfill many promises made during the electioneering period in the areas of free education, health, urbanization, agricultural promotion among others, which he maintained the State needed to excel among others in the nation.

He saluted the State administration’s efforts at turning around the tourism sector by partnering with international and local interests so as to create wealth and employment for the youths.

The governor has shown enough evidence that he is for the people, this is indicated in his people-based programmes and his efforts at fulfilling promises made during the campaign period where he vowed to make a change that will truly benefit the people.

Everywhere you go, the State government is embarking on urbanization projects that will serve the people and promote commerce, I commend him and advise that he does not rest on his oars.

“The cultural and tourism sectors are already experiencing positive changes that which has attracted foreign and local tourism experts and professionals to come and do business with Oyo State, this is an indication that Oyo State will soon be counted as one above others in Nigeria in the areas of ease of doing business, tourism destination and the true home of African culture.”

While appreciating Oba Adeyemi for maintaining the pride of Africans abroad and at home in the Yoruba culture, the France Ambassador, Mr Pasquier Jerome was full of praise for the monarch for creating time to host the delegation.

He said France was working towards cooperation with Oyo State to boost partnership in research in archaeology, social sciences, humanities, education and promotion of culture and tourism, which he said arrangements were already in place to build on the relationship the country already had with the University of Ibadan.

“We already had archaeological research involving forty archaeologists in Ogun State in 2019, we want to enter into a new one with the Oyo State government to catalogue their archives and look into the possibility of exploring for new raw materials.

“We also have programmes already engaging many youths in audio-visual training in Lagos State which can be extended to Oyo State for the benefit of teeming youths to train on how to become big time filmmakers, we look forward to partnering with the State to promote some of the notable tourists’ sites as well,” he said.

By Oluwakemi Ishola

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to deploy the dissolved Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel to Borno State, to complement the efforts of the Military’s fight against Boko Haram.

Zulum made the call in Maiduguri when he was receiving the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregebesola, who led a delegation to the state. This is coming on the heels of a peaceful procession by some youths, in solidarity with the SARS activities in the state.

Zulum said, in Borno state, SARS had made remarkable achievements against Boko Haram.

Aregbesola said they were in the state to get first-hand information on security challenges bedeviling Borno and parts of the North East.

The Minister commended the Borno Governor for his doggedness and commitment to restore peace in the state.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engr. Joseph Tegbe has said he was extremely impressed and inspired with the determination shown by young Nigerians to, once and for all, put a stop to Police brutality and reject the operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, an arm of the Police that has repeatedly acted outside its purview and killed many of your young minds, extorting, maiming and harassing many more.

The APC governorship aspirant, in a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan, said he always believed that young people hold the key to the reform and development of the Nigerian society. “All they need do is engage, organize and act” he said.

The statement read in part:

“Commendably, we saw movement of the people who have had enough; citizens who don’t want to live in constant fear of being shot or maimed, people who demand protection rather than harrassment from law enforcement agencies, people who just wanted to stay alive, above every other thing”.

“No longer will it be said that Nigerians don’t have a voice. The Nigerian Youth have spoken and taken it beyond the media. It was loud enough for the world to hear, and precise enough to make a change!”.

“Brutality by SARS and other agencies are totally UNACCEPTABLE in a civilized society governed by laws. It should be condemned by all. It was therefore saddening to hear of the deaths, manhandling and harrasment of peaceful protesters and bystanders in Ogbomoso – Oyo State, Surulere – Lagos and other places. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims. These happenings have indeed underlined the urgent need to make sweeping changes”.

“It is noteworthy that the President has sanctioned the dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad and committed to a total reform of the Police and other agencies. Civil Society groups have been engaged to monitor the process. While this is commendable, I must state that eternal freedom is the price of liberty. Never again should we condone our forces going rogue!”.

Tegbe further said the reform in Nigeria police must be holistic, decisive and conclusive!

He concluded by giving kudos to the new breed for creating a safer space for all Nigerians, and for the coming generation. He said posterity would remember the peaceful agitations for good.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has urged Government at all levels and other stakeholders to develop short term and long term action plans that will address strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria.

Speaking through her Media Aide, Olamilekan Olusada today, Hon. Sadipe said Government ought to adopt the 2015 United Nations’ strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

“I believe that in commemoration of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, there is urgent need to call on Government Agencies, Private Development Partners and other relevant stakeholders to initiate actions and policy frameworks for strategic Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria”, she said.

She stressed the need for the Federal Government to execute a concrete plan to reduce the unfavourable exposure of its citizens to disasters, while creating awareness about the importance of such risk management.

The Oluyole Federal Constituency representative added that the COVID–19 pandemic and the climate change emergencies as well as the rampant petroleum related and Market fires suggest the need for clear vision by Ministries, Agencies and Departments of Government.

She also called for proper planning and empowerment of right institutions to act on related scientific evidences in the interest of the public.

“ Laws establishing some strategic organs of government that should address Disaster Risk Reduction at National and Local levels such as River Basin Authorities, Fire Service, Federal Inland Water Ways Authority, Local Government Markets Management Authorities ”have become moribund, thereby hindering new initiatives and public private partnership drives.

She recalled that in 2015 at the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, the International Community was reminded of the impact of disasters.

Akande-Sadipe said this initiative is important to prevent loss of lives great social and economic upheaval and displacement of millions of people annually.

She noted that the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, celebrated across the globe every October 13, calls for more proactive steps by the Federal Government to end disasters in the Nation.

Akande-Sadipe recalled that the day was established in 1989 after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk–awareness and disaster reduction strategies.

She further reiterated the importance as disasters “Are exacerbated by man, climate change and natural factors but have negative impact on investment in sustainable development and the desired outcomes”.

This year’s celebration brings to limelight the role of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) using risk reduction initiatives in the management of COVID–19 pandemics and protocol follow up strategies.

Akande-Sadipe added that “this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is about good governance to ensure that strategic funding and institutional action plans are put in place, to avert and measure disaster risk in terms of lives saved and reduced economic losses.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has written the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu to release #EndSARS protesters who were arrested in different locations across the country for taking part in the protests.

He also urged the police boss to accelerate the reforms promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the letter, the Minister described the disbandment of the Federal- Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) as the right step following the nationwide outcry of high-handedness, human rights violation and harassment of the youth and other Nigerians by some of the officers of the defunct SARS.

He wrote that “It is our collective hope that the successor tactical unit to SARS will be a Special Force that will be more disciplined, ethical and professional with a new code of conduct that will guide their civil engagement. I also thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the positive steps he has taken on this matter.

“In the light of the above, I want to plead with the Inspector General of Police to go a step further by using your very good office to order immediate release of all youth who were arrested or apprehended for participating in peaceful protests. They should not be punished for exercising their democratic right.

“Reports reaching me personally and out there in the media reveal that a number of our youth are under arrests, while some continue to suffer harassments and threats to life for participating in the #EndSARS protest.

“In the new spirit of change, rapprochement and expected reforms that are sweeping through the entire Police Force, kindly use your good office to authorize a signal to be sent to all police formations and stations to free these youth and to stop the intimidation of those who participated in the protests in any form,” the Minister requested.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday has joined the #ENDSARS struggle by carrying a placard and marching on the road with the protesters.

The governor via his twitter account said he joined the #ENDSARS protesters in Alausa and received a letter of their demands. He reiterated his support for the campaigners.

“I am now on my way to Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and the goal of the conversation is clear.

“Tangible next steps to #EndPoliceBrutality”.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said that he has activated the process of getting justice for the victims of brutality and extra-judicial actions committed by some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

He said the State Government will be setting up a panel of enquiry that will comprise youth leaders appointed by EndSARS protesters, members of the public, Government officials and security agencies to look into the allegations of human rights abuses levelled against SARS operatives in the State.

According to him,  the objective of the panel is to bring indicted police officers to book and get justice for victims killed and maimed by SARS operatives.

Besides the panel, the governor also announced a Trust Fund to compensate the families of the victims of police brutality in the State. The process of managing and disbursing the funds will be completely supervised by Civil Society Organisation (CSO) appointed by members of the public, the Governor said

“We are also immediately setting up a trust fund to compensate the families of police brutality in Lagos state even though no amount of money can reduce their pain.

“The trust fund will be supervised by a team appointed transparently by members of the public”.

Sanwo-Olu made the development known while addressing the youth protesting against SARS’ excessiveness at the State House in Alausa.

The protesters were led by Nollywood actors, music artists, and comedians, among whom included Debo Adebayo, popularly known as MC Macaroni, and Oluwatoyin Bayegun, known as Woli Arole.

This is the second time in two days Governor Sanwo-Olu would be meeting face-to-face with youths leading EndSARS campaign across the State. Yesterday, the Governor was at the Lekki Toll Plaza where protesters camped and blocked the expressway to air their agitations.

He reiterated that he identified with the protesters in their campaign against police brutality and pleading with the aggrieved youths not to undermine the legitimacy of their grievances by being violent and destructive.

The protesters at Alausa handed a communique to the Governor, which detailed their five-point demands and expectations from the leadership.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State Government will be addressing three of the protesters’ demands that are within the purview of the State and vowed to engage the President and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the remaining demands.

The Governor said he would continue to engage the Federal Government to initiate reforms that will bring about the police force that will protect and respect the rights of the citizens.

 “I understand a lot of youths have been battered and maimed by the people who are supposed to protect you. I understand you all are feeling the pain of brutality, which is why you have been taking to streets to express your disappointment. Your voice has been heard loudly and actions have been taken from the highest office in the land to address your grievances. It is time for us to move forward and engage further on your demand.

“There is a five-point demand which you have submitted to us today. You demanded the release of all protesters arrested on Monday. All of them have been released unconditionally. You demanded we set up a meeting that will lead to the process of getting justice and compensation for the victims of SARS brutality. I have instructed the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to set up a panel of inquiry ASAP that will get justice for the victims.

“We request that any citizen who has had a fatal encounter with SARS in Lagos to come forward and bring their cases to the panel. We will get justice for them. I have also set up a trust fund for the compensation of all victims of SARS brutality. For those who have died, we will be reaching out to their families. We request you (the protesters) to appoint your representatives into the panel and the Trust Fund for transparency.”

The Governor said the fourth and fifth points in the protesters’ demands, which border on police reform and improved remuneration for police officers across the country were not in the purview of the State. He, however, promised to personally deliver the message to President Buhari and the IGP.

He expressed concern over the violence that marred the EndSARS protest in Surulere on Monday, in which a civilian and a police officer died. He said the State Government had commenced an investigation into the matter but pleaded with the protesters not to take the laws into their own hands.

Sanwo-Olu assured the protesters that he would be leaving the protest ground for Abuja to meet with President Buhari and the IGP as he had promised.

“As I did promise you yesterday that I will be meeting with Mr. President today to physically present your demands to him. From this protest ground, I will be leaving for Abuja to meet with President Buhari and IGP. I will deliver your message and demands.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola

Protesters demanding an end to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday barricaded the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The protest has brought vehicular movements to a standstill as motorists and commuters are trapped in the gridlock around the secretariat, Ikeja, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The protesters in demonstration chanted their demand, “End SARS now!” “End SARS now!”

The protesters also played music as they danced and sang along.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the dissolution of the SARS police unit after days of agitation across the country.

Despite this announcement, protest continues in major South West, South-South, and Northcentral region of the country.