By OMOLOLA AFOLABI

Google in Africa has supported the ongoing #EndSars protests nationwide.

In a tweet from its verified Twitter account, the global search engine said:

“We strongly oppose oppression, brutality, and intimidation. We believe a fair and impartial police force is a critical element of a stable society and abuse of power infringes on democratic and human rights.

“We urge a speedy resolution to the current situation #EndSars.”

Also, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has endorsed the protests, recommending an account for fundraising in bitcoins. (The Nation)

By CHINELO OBOGO, Lagos

Three major aviation unions on Thursday prevented the Minister of Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika, from gaining entry into Freedom Square, the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos, following a one-day warning strike over unpaid salaries.

The Minister was to hold a town hall meeting with the unions and members of staff on Thursday at noon to resolve the pending issues but he was prevented from doing so after the gates leading to the airports authority headquarters were shut by the unions.

Canopies and chairs had been set up in preparation for the meeting, but outside the venue gates were shut with padlocks and blocked with vehicles while union members were carried placards and sang solidarity songs.

On Wednesday, October 14, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), issued a notice to embark on a one-day warning strike after the seven-day ultimatum issued to FAAN management to meet their demands were not met.

Their demands included immediate payment of outstanding allowances, leave allowances, remittance of contributory pensions, cooperative deductions, gratuity of retired staff and death benefits.

Others are immediate release of aviation intervention funds, immediate implementation of the national minimum wage and immediate remittance of N105.3 billion actuarial valuation as 2016 to PFA’s, immediate reparation of 2020 actuarial valuation.

The leaders of the unions said they had to shut down the venue of the meeting over plans by the Minister of to address the workers directly rather than negotiating with the union leaders.

As early as 9 am, the unions had already converged for the one day strike after which they planned to go back and negotiate with FAAN management.

NUATE President Ben Nnabue, who spoke to journalists, said:

‘This is a warning strike and the Minister cannot come and talk to our workers directly without us. This action is just for today after which we will renegotiate with the management.’

Meanwhile, an advance party comprising the Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu and Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu and other directors were not allowed to address the Congress that was gathered at the Freedom Square.

Ocheme Aba who spoke to the media told the gathering that if the management of FAAN consented to the agreement reached, the warning strike would end today and a week will be allowed for management to meet the demands of the workers to avert a full blown indefinite strike.

In an effort to stall the unions’ action after the expiry of the ultimatum issued, a series of meetings were lined up in regions of the country all through next week to meet with staff however, the unions have warned it’s members to steer clear.

An internal memo dated October 8 and titled “Invitation for a Meeting with the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika with ref: FAAN/HA/1A/400/19/Vol 4/39”, signed by the General Manager Administration, MD Musa, said the meeting with all staff is an interactive session to discuss the challenges meted on the agency by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter read in part:

‘It is an interactive session aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges facing FAAN in particular and the aviation industry in general, occasioned by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

‘All staff are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this unique opportunity offered by the honourable minister to present issues bothering their welfare among other challenges, offer suggestions that will move the organisation forward.

‘The meetings were scheduled to hold in the SouthWest (Lagos) on Monday October 12, South South/ South East (Port Harcourt) on Tuesday October 13th; North Central (Abuja) on Thursday October 15th and North West/East in Kano on Friday October 16.’

But arising from the extraordinary emergency meeting of JAC held on October 9, the JAC-in-session resolved that all FAAN staff should boycott the invitation in all regions. It said it viewed the planned meeting as an attempt to justify the planned concession programme.

Apart from the planned boycott of these meetings in the region, the unions insisted that FAAN management meets its demands ranging from remittance of ₦105.3 billion actuarial valuation as at 2016, remittance of all pension deduction to the Pension Fund Administrators (PFA), immediate preparation of 2020 actuarial valuation.

Others include immediate remittance of all cooperative deductions, immediate payment of (i) child education grant (ii) leave allowance (iii) furniture grant (iv) gratuity (v) Covid-19 palliatives (vi) death benefits (vii) other claims.

At the time of filing this report, Sirika was at the VIP lounge of the local airport with his entourage after he was denied entry into the venue of the proposed meeting.

Due to this development, staff of other aviation agency, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA and the Nigerian Quarantine services couldn’t also gain entry to their offices. (Daily Sun)

By MOLLY KILETE, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters said military operations conducted across the country in the last one week has led to the killings of several terrorists, bandits, oil thieves and other criminals terrorizing the peace of the country.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Organisation, Major General John Enenche, who made the disclosure Thursday, said soldiers operating in conjunction with other security agencies in the North East zone of the country have sustained the tempo in their operational activities with aggressive ground and air operations, clearance operations, cordon and search operations, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as artillery and aerial bombardments on terrorists’ hideouts.

He said the the aggressive operations by the troops have stopped the terrorists from moving freely and denied them freedom of action in the zone.

Gen Eneche, at a media briefing, said 16 bandits, gunrunners, drug peddlers and other criminals were arrested within the last one week and 28, kidnapped victims rescued from their abductors.

He also said that several arms, weapons, illicit drugs and other dangerous whiplash used by the criminals were recovered during the period.

‘From the operational estimate of these successes recorded within the period, it is clear that there is downward trend in the activities of bandits in the zone. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies are committed in their endeavor to end banditry and other sundry crimes in the country,’ he stated.

Giving an update on military operations conducted in the last one week, Enenche said:

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued their major operations across the country with attendant successes. The various operations have progressed satisfactorily in all the theatres. In this regard, I will be updating you on the operations in line with our weekly schedule. This briefing will cover from 8– 14 October 2020.’

NORTH-WEST ZONE

‘In the North-West zone, the Armed of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued to intensify the operations in their resolve to stamp out banditry and other sundry crimes in the zone. Notably, on 12 October 2020, troops of Operation ACCORD acting on credible intelligence arrested 9 suspected bandits/collaborators at Dan Ali village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Suspects are currently in custody for necessary action. Similarly, in a covert operation based on credible intelligence, 4 suspected bandits including a suspected bandits leader named Mujitafa Shehu were arrested at Kankara Town and Tudu village of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

‘In another development, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY deployed at Forward Operation Base Magami while responding to a distress call rescued 23 kidnapped victims from fleeing bandits who abandoned the captives as the unrelenting troops were closing in on their hideout along Zauni-Jengebe road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped while on transit to Magami market from Gusau in a passenger bus. All the rescued victims have been reunited with their families.

‘Similarly, Land Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE supported by the Air Component on 8 October 2020, conducted clearance and rescue operations at Audu Jongom, Jekadarebi, Dutse and Gona-Bature villages as well as adjoining forest in Kaduna State. During the operations, many bandits’ camps were destroyed. In the same vein, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued, 2 suspects arrested, one AK-47 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines, 73 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated pistol and 3 locally made rifles were recovered among others.

‘Additionally, several armed bandits were neutralized in air strikes executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI at a location West of Wagini in Katsina State. The air interdiction mission was conducted on 8 October 2020 after credible Human Intelligence reports and series of confirmatory surveillance missions had shown significant presence of the bandits, along with hundreds of rustled cattle, in the camp. The attack aircraft subsequently engaged the location in successive runs, destroying portions of the camp and neutralizing scores of the bandits. Currently, Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship and alpha jet have continued to dominate the air space with aerial patrols providing close air support for ground troops while Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions have been intensified to deny bandits freedom of action.

‘From the operational estimate of these successes recorded within the period, it is clear that there is downward trend in the activities of bandits in the zone. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies are committed in their endeavor to end banditry and other sundry crimes in the country.’

NORTH-EAST ZONE

‘Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria operating in conjunction with other security agencies in the North East zone of the country have not relented in sustaining the tempo in their operational activities. Between 8 and 14 October 2020, troops conducted series of ground and air operations under Operation LAFIYA DOLE and other subsidiary operations. The operations include aggressive clearance operations, cordon and search operations, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as artillery and aerial bombardments on terrorists’ hideoutshttps://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-8540702822458166&output=html&h=280&slotname=1825395178&adk=2494221803&adf=3673058151&pi=t.ma~as.1825395178&w=400&lmt=1602888138&psa=1&guci=2.2.0.0.2.2.0.0&format=400×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsexpressngr.com%2Fnews%2F108569&flash=0&wgl=1&tt_state=W3siaXNzdWVyT3JpZ2luIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hZHNlcnZpY2UuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSIsInN0YXRlIjowfV0.&dt=1602888137982&bpp=28&bdt=1410&idt=514&shv=r20201014&cbv=r20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D18bd38838dd76e35%3AT%3D1602887982%3AS%3DALNI_MbceTlZv0d2s05c_D4djqJ62Dnr3A&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=1&correlator=7446811130642&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=2124079428.1596131593&ga_sid=1602888138&ga_hid=1088954846&ga_fc=0&iag=0&icsg=35736454310896&dssz=36&mdo=0&mso=0&u_tz=60&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=1280&u_w=800&u_ah=1280&u_aw=800&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=15&ady=3721&biw=800&bih=1160&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=21066819%2C21066973&oid=3&pvsid=3971557531522153&pem=911&rx=0&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C800%2C0%2C800%2C1160%2C800%2C1160&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CpeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=8192&bc=31&ifi=1&uci=a!1&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=Qp5GtR16xI&p=https%3A//newsexpressngr.com&dtd=562

‘Categorically, own troops forestalled the terrorists’ moves and also denied them freedom of action in the zone, leading to domination of the zone causing some terrorists to flee from the Joint Operations Area. Consequently, there is reduction in the spate of their activities in the North East zone during the period. This is an evidence of own troops superior operational capabilities.

‘The successful feats achieved by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security operatives in the North East zone to a large extent is considered to be through the cooperation of the populace. Thus, the High Command of the Military thanks the general public for their support and cooperation and further solicit their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information on terrorists’ activities to facilitate proactive engagements in our operations. The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to remain resolute and committed to end the insurgency and terrorism in the North East zone of the country.’

NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE

‘In the North Central zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to sustain the tempo through aggressive clearance patrols, ambushes and raids which have yielded remarkable successes. Within the period under review, troops of operations WHIRL STROKE and SAFE HAVEN conducted major raid operations to identified bandits camps. Notably, on 13 October 2020, following credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal elements linked to the late Gana, troops of Sector 2, Operation WHIRL STROKE raided a suspected armed militias’ hideout at Bem Akumaoir village of Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. Troops had contact with the armed bandits and overwhelmed them with superior firepower, neutralizing one militia while others fled into the surrounding bushes with fatal injuries. One locally made pistol loaded with one round of 7.62mm ammunition and one Mobile Police jersey pullover were recovered.

‘Earlier, on 9 October 2020, sequel to intelligence reports on the activities of 3 gunrunners at Mangoro general area in Niger State, troops mobilised to the area and arrested one of the suspects, Juli Umaru. It was revealed that the 3 suspected gunrunners cumulatively possessed about 60 AK-47 rifles. The suspect was taken into custody for preliminary investigation, while efforts are on-going to apprehend the other suspects and recover the weapons in their possession.

‘Relatedly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in conjunction with personnel of NDLEA, raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout at Abun and Gimbi villages in Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State. The operation resulted in the arrest of 2 suspected drug dealers with a large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs. Suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the NDLEA for further action.

‘Furthermore, on 11 October 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN intercepted suspected armed cattle rustlers around Katran Forest in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The aggressive tactics of the troops resulted in the recovery of 50 rustled cows while the criminals fled with fatal gunshot injuries. The recovered cows were duly handed over to their legitimate owners.

‘As part of concerted Civil Military Cooperation activities, Headquarters of Operation WHIRL STROKE, on 9 October 2020, fostered several peace meetings amongst the various ethnic groups in Benue and Nasarawa States. Notably, peace and security meetings were held at Adaka in Makurdi Local Government Area, Anguwa and Jimba in Gwer West Local Government Area and Gbeji in Tsaav Local Government Area of Benue State. The meetings were attended by various stakeholders in the area.

‘Additionally, on same 9 October 2020, Headquarters Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted a medical outreach at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp at Anyin Community in Loko Town, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Several items including mosquito nets were distributed to the IDPs while also reassuring them of their safety. Troops also visited Umenger Community Primary School where items including exercise books, pencils, ball pens as well as refreshments were distributed to the students. The medical outreach was also extended to Awe and Keana Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State. Teaching aids including books and pens were equally donated to the pupils at Tunga Central School in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, while items such as noodles, diapers, disinfectants, detergents and other toiletries were distributed to individuals at the Primary Healthcare Centre at Giza in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

‘Still on 9 October 2020, Headquarters Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted a Security Awareness campaign at Loko Town in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The campaign was aimed at educating the local community on the need to provide troops with information on movement of criminals in the general area.’

SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE

‘Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone with significant successes. Within the period under review, following actionable intelligence on the activities of oil thieves, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team intercepted and immobilized 2 large wooden boats laden with polythene bags cumulatively containing about 20,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Jeddo in Delta State. The team also destroyed 4 drums and 75 polythene bags containing illegally refined AGO by the riverbank at Jeddo. Further exploitation of the general area led to the destruction of 600 drums and recovery of 2 pumping machines hidden in several wooden stores at Jeddo. Additionally, the operation led to the arrest of 2 suspected vandals around Shagbolor in Warri South Local Government Area. The suspects and recovered items were taken into custody for further action.

‘Also within the period under review, troops of 29 Battalion in conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Labarador Security workers discovered and immobilized 3 illegal refining sites and one wooden boat loaded with illegally refined AGO around Bekinkiri/Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. Similarly, still on 8 October 2020, troops of Sector 2 Operation DELTA SAFE acting on credible intelligence arrested 4 suspected pipeline vandals at Opukushi Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In the same vein, troops of 222 Battalion, on 9 October 2020 arrested 2 suspected pipeline vandals from Ughelli Community in connection with the theft of some parts of the Oil Mining License (OML) 34 oil wellheads, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The suspects were handed over to Sector 1 Operation DELTA SAFE for further action.

‘Later in the week, Operation CALM WATERS 2 and Operation SWIFT RESPONSE recorded remarkable successes. Specifically, on 12 October 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Utan Iyata Creek intercepted and arrested a medium size wooden boat laden with 978 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice with 2 suspects. Preliminary investigation revealed that the foreign parboiled rice was suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroun. Also, a truck laden with about 2,195 cartons of Cocoa Butter and a motorcycle were arrested. Suspects and items recovered from the arrest are currently in custody and will soon be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

‘Gleaning from the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remain committed, resolute and determined to curtail the activities of insurgents, armed bandits, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the country. The Military High Command commends the gallant troops for the successes achieved so far and their unwavering commitment and dexterity. Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in curtailing the activities of the enemies of the country. The High Command, also reassures the general public of its commitment in securing the country. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agencies location for prompt action.’ (Daily Sun)

By DAVID ROYAL

Nigerians have kicked against the ban placed on protests in Abuja by security committee of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over COVID-19 safety fears.

Hundreds of Nigerians for the past seven days have been protesting nationwide over alleged police brutality on citizens.

It turned out to be violent in Abuja on Wednesday after a group of armed thugs attacked peaceful protesters at Berger roundabout thereby destroying vehicles and injuring some of the protesters.

The protesters despite the disbandment of SARS Unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, have insisted that until they are fully assured of a reformation in the Nigerian Police Force, they will not stop protesting, expressing discontent over government’s failure to reform the system thereby subjecting the citizens to brutality.

In the security committee’s meeting, presided over by FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, they resolved that the ongoing protests endanger the lives of everyone in the capital city and therefore should be banned.

“All street demonstrations, protests, and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT,” the statement read”

Not being pleased with the ban placed on protests, some Nigerians took to Twitter to condemn such action stating that if political rallies can be held in the country, protests can be held as well.

Below are some tweets gathered:

@henryshield “The banning of #EndSWAT street protests by the FCTA because of COVID-19 is the silliest joke of the century. You clowns went for campaigns and public rallies in Edo and Ondo!”

@andreachichi “Bunch of hypocrites. They cannot shut us up. They cannot intimidate us. They can not lock us up and throw the keys away. We are not our fathers. We are Nigerian youths and not slaves, we have our rights. They cannot trample on our rights”

@ikmohit “They used police they failed, tried military but failed, tried thugs still failed now they want to use COVID-19, please let me go and laugh small I will be back”

@Krysty_Ann “Ehyah!!! The Government cares so much about our health and safety. Confused faceConfused faceConfused face With the series of events Govt officials have been part of even during the height of Covid19, it’s this protest that’s breaking Covid One Nine rules.”

@Akewusolaf1 “Lol. The joke on them. US has the highest records but black lives matter protests went on. The rallies nko?, it only shows this govt is self-centred. #EndSWAT #EndSARS”

@turningmess “High profile weddings have been held without any adherence to Covid guidelines. Na todayThumbs down” (Vanguard)

By OLALEKAN ADETAYO, Abuja

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Thursday said Northern states were not against the scrapped  Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police.

Lalong, who is the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, said the unit had been useful in the fight against insecurity in the Northern region.

The governor made his position known in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting he had with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

While noting that Buhari had already approved the scrapping of the police unit, Lalong said northern states do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

He, however, admitted that the unit needed reforms. (The PUNCH)

By SUNNY OKIM

The post-humous celebration of Fela Anikulapo’s birthday has kicked off with activities lined up for the annual celebration.

Earlier today at 5pm, there was a webinar symposium tagged, “The Fela Debates #13 Symposium” with topic “Colomentality”.

Guest Speakers at the symposium moderated by Dr. Vincent Magombe were Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao, Kweku Mandela and Dele Farotimi.

First daughter of the late Afrobeat legend Yeni Kuti further informed News Express that the celebration will continue by 8pm today at the Africa Shrine where five top artistes will be performing.

The music stars, according to Yeni, are Femi Kuti, Made, Joeboy, Niniola and Seun Kuti.

She also informed that there are other scheduled live performances online and on Hip Tv, YouTube, Instagram and others.

It will be recalled that the fearless Afro beats king and leader of Egypt 80 Band died on August 2, 1997 at age of 58. He was born on October 15, 1938.

October 15 is celebrated every year with the tag Felabration.

The Government of Anambra State has expressed sadness over the passing of Emeritus Professor John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo, popularly known as JP Clark, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13, at age 85.

A legendary poet, dramatist and folklorist, JP Clark was in his lifetime an endearing friend to Anambra State’s illustrious literary legends Professor Chinua Achebe and iconic poet Christopher Okigbo.

According to a statement in Awka by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, C. Don Adinuba, Governor Willie Obiano has extended his condolences to the great Clark family of Kiagbodo in Delta State led by elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark.

“Incidentally, a younger sibling of JP Clark, General Henry Clark, was married to Anambra’s celebrated scholar and public servant, Professor Marian Ikejiani-Clark, whose father, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, was one of Africa’s foremost medical scientists and chairman of the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) in its heyday and played a key role in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence,” Adinuba said in the statement.

Born in Kiagbodo of present-day Delta State to an Ijaw father and an Urhobo mother, JP Clark was educated at the famous Government College, Ughelli, before studying at the University College, Ibadan.

A precocious poet, Clark was among the prime-movers of the literary club, Mbari in Ibadan, alongside Christopher Okigbo, Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe.

It was under the imprint of Mbari that he published his first collection of poems entitled “Poems” in 1961. Clark then forged ahead to publish other collections such as “A Reed in the Tide”, “Casualties”, “A Decade of Tongues”, “State of the Union”, “Mandela and other Poems”, etc.

Clark’s much-anthologised poems like “Night Rain”, “Abiku”, “Streamside Exchange”, “Ibadan”, “Casualties”, among others, have been studied extensively for the West African School Certificate (WASC) examinations.

JP Clark made history as Africa’s first Professor of English, a coveted feat he achieved at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

Christopher Okigbo had given the manuscript of his poems “Path of Thunder” before he was killed at the beginning of the Nigeria-Biafra war, and Clark duly published the poems posthumously in the magazine “Black Orpheus”.  

“The Anambra State Government is in the end comforted that JP Clark left a celebratory legacy even in his demise as a world-famous poet, playwright, folklorist, and a dear friend of Anambra State – ‘Light of the Nation’,” Adinuba said in the statement.

Protesters against police brutality and extrajudicial killings have again blocked sections of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway grinding vehicular activities to a halt.

The protesters occupied the inbound and outbound sections of the expressway singing solidarity songs and chanting ‘#EndSWAT’‘#EndSARS’ ‘#EndPoliceBrutality.’Motorists and commuters were trapped in the gridlock as a result of the demonstration by the protesters.

The protesters regrouped after the early morning attack on them carried out by armed thugs on House of Assembly drive, in Alausa area of Lagos State.

By midday, they walked 1km from Alausa to Allen roundabout, where they stayed for some minutes chanting solidarity songs.

The protesters later moved to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway blocking both sides of the road.

For the past few days, hundreds of protesters demanding an end to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force have blocked the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. (Channels TV)

By SUNNY OKIM

The National Consultative Front, NCFront, has declared its unalloyed support to the ongoing protests by Nigerian youths across the country tagged #EndSARS.

The leadership of the political group which prides itself as an emerging alternative to Nigeria’s ruling class, has also commended its youth network and allies across the country for the strategic roles so far played in sustaining the protests rocking the nation.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Dr Tanko Yunusa and made available to News Express, the Front also decried the panicky hiring and criminal attacks on peaceful protesters by hoodlums with the aim of undermining the peaceful and orderly protest of the large section of responsible and resourceful Nigerian youths.

The statement reads in part:

“NCFront wishes to applaud the ideological dimension brought into the ongoing #EndSARS struggle by its teeming youth members and allies in depicting SARS as symbolic of every negative, irresponsible, anti people’s element of government misrule and state collapse in Nigeria.

“We, therefore wish to state in clear terms that, this emergent ideological dynamics, as embraced by the the Coalition of Northern Youths today in Kaduna, is the most formidable line to tow towards achieving a Nigeria that works for all under a government that has been deaf and irresponsive to all entrities of popular demand for democratic change in mal-adminstration of the country.

“NCFront hereby enjoins and directs all its teeming youths members and allies, especially in the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), Citizens Advocacy Network, Revolution 2023, and the entire Third Force, Fresh breed Movement of Nigeria not to be deterred by casualties, injuries and loss of lives recorded while pursuing this noble cause but to ensure everything is done in solidarity to sustain the current revolutionary momentum until all forms of SARS are brought down as the present political class have been a monumental failure and disappointment.

“They must be brought to their knees to account for the blood of innocent and defenceless youths maimed and cut down by state forces during the ongoing peaceful protests.

“All past and present politicians, especially political office holders, who have contributed in one way or the other to bring the country to the current ‘SARS’ brutal situation in all spheres of its existence, must immediately be declared persona non granta and made to account for their destructive contributions to making Nigeria a failed state, a criminal enterprise and the poverty capital of the world.”

NCFront further said it has already convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting for 8pm today to rewiew the gains and losses and the tactical way forward for the emerging popular revolution in Nigeria.

It called on all its leaders, stakeholders, members and allies to attend this all important review meeting.

A 17-year-old boy on Thursday appeared in a Zuba Upper Area Court, FCT, for allegedly threatening to kill his mother and a neighbour.

The police charged the teenager who lives in Ikwa Zuba, FCT, with criminal intimidation.

The prosecution counsel, Adefioye Mayowa told the court that the matter was reported by the complainant, Mr Akinyemi Rotim of IKwa  Zuba, FCT at the Zuba Police Station Abuja on Oct. 11

Mayowa alleged that the teenager committed the offence at about 7 a.m. He said that the teenager had a little misunderstanding with his mother and when the complainant tried to make peace, he threatened to kill her and the complainant, who is a neighbour.

The prosecution said that the defendant’s mother suffered fear due to the threat. The prosecution said that the complainant suspects that the defendant is a member of an occult group. The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 397 and 406 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Alhaji Gambo Garba, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000  with one surety in like sum. He ordered that the surety must have a reasonable means of livelihood and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Garba adjourned the case until Nov. 19 for hearing. (Vanguard)