Author: Chronicle Editor

The Insight by Lateef Adewole “A day will come when Nigerian masses from the north and south, Christians, Muslims and animists will merge as a force for progress and unity, and kick against rigging, corruption and tyranny”. – Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987) We were almost there! I mean the prophecy of the late sage almost came to pass with the events of the past three weeks, but for some unscrupulous youths who eventually succumbed to the pressure from the corrupt leaders and their own greed by allowing themselves to be used at a later stage, to disrupt already peaceful protests…

More than 30 illegal miners, including 11 Chinese, who had been involved in illegal gold mining in Zamfara State, have been deported from Nigeria. Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, also said Zamfara is in need of more security operatives. Matawalle, who disclosed that he visited the President to brief him on security developments in Zamfara State, added that the porous nature of borders around the state made it possible for all sorts of elements to gain access to…

President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t mention anything about the shooting of #EndSARS protesters in Lekki on Tuesday night during a nationwide broadcast yesterday because it would be “premature and presumptuous.” Many Nigerians have carpeted Buhari for not mentioning about the shootings or empathising with the victims during the much-awaited presidential broadcast, describing the omission as deliberate and callous. President Buahri’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who appeared on Politics Today, a live show on Channel Television, said the President couldn’t have said anything about the shooting because it was being investigated. #EndSARS: 69 killed in Nigeria – Buhari…

• Lagos Government Begins Probe Of Lekki Shooting On Monday, Asks Public To Submit Evidence • Governor Relaxes Curfew From Saturday, Permits Movement Between 8am To 6pm The oldest edifice of the Nigerian judiciary – High Court of Lagos State in Igbosere – has become a ghost of itself. Its unique architectural design has been tarnished, coated with smudge of soots. Its roof blown off flames; courtrooms littered with charred remains of files and wood charcoals. The desecration of the court depicts, in part, the proportions of the Wednesday coordinated arsonist attacks on public assets and private property in Lagos.…

President Muhammadu Buhari says 69 people have been killed in EndSARS protests against police brutality that have rocked the country. The deaths were mainly civilians but include police officers and soldiers. The president announced the toll in an emergency meeting with former Nigerian leaders aimed at finding ways to end the unrest, his spokesman told the BBC. A group that has been key in organising the demonstrations has now urged people to stay at home. The Feminist Coalition also advised people to follow any curfews in place in their states. The protests have drastically subsided but an uneasy calm remains…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has announced that the state government will begin the probe of Lekki shooting on Monday, 26 October, 2020. The governor also asked the public to submit evidences available to them, to help the State prosecute the case properly. On Saturday, the governor visited properties belonging to the state and private persons that were destroyed in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest. The governor disclosed that the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up last Monday to investigate human rights violations by SARS operatives has had its terms of reference expanded to…

The Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards (MEGA) has suspended all activities for its 2020 edition of the awards which was billed to hold on 15 November. The national coordinator of MEGA, Femi Akintunde-Johnson said it has taken note of events across the country in the past two weeks and that it identifies with the legitimate demand of young Nigerians to end brutality and other rights abuses by authorities responsible for protecting lives and property of citizens. “We agree with widely held positions that inhumane force in general and riot policing negates fundamental human rights, and that the authorities should move speedily…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the plan of both the Federal and State Governments to investigate police brutality and prosecute erring police officers, create new State-based Security and Human Rights Committees, as well as providing compensation to victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units, would be a game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity. Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, an American government delegation including the US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Bob Destro; US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Conflict Stabilization Operations, Denise…

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his speech on Thursday night following calls for him to address the nation. Speaking during a virtual meeting of former Heads of State, the two-time President urged President Buhari to ensure that the demands of protesters are implemented in good time. Obasanjo noted that Nigerians have a constitutional right to protest and should be allowed to exercise this right as it is part of the democratic system. “I commend the speech of last night. The nation had been waiting. You made points that I believe need to be commended.…

President Muhammadu Buhari has told former Heads of State and Presidents of Nigeria, Friday in Abuja that it is unfortunate that the initial genuine and well-intended protest of youths in parts of the country against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was hijacked and misdirected. In a virtual meeting with the former leaders, President Buhari reiterated that the Government will not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the country. At the meeting were all living past leaders, including: Gen. Yakubu Gowon, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen.…