Month: October 2020

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BREAKING: 307 Suspects To Be Trial In Plateau Over Looting And Destruction Of Public Properties As Security Council Meet In Jos.

The Plateau State Security Council has again met to deliberate on the security situation following the massive looting that has been perpetrated across the State in the last two days.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting held at Government House Rayfield Jos, Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Atu said so far, the situation is calm but still fluid as there are still threats to attack other public and private businesses as well as individuals.
He said the Council agreed to further fortify all check-points in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas to give effect to the curfew imposed in order to restore peace that will determine the next line of action.
He also said that security agencies have been mandated to embark on massive manhunt for the arrest of looters and ensure materials are recovered while the culprits are prosecuted.
Prof. Atu said so far, 7 courts have been designated for the prosecution of the 307 suspects so far arrested at various locations where the looting took place.
The Council warned members of the public from consuming some of the looted food items because they are dangerous for human consumption as they have been chemically treated for preservation.
Members of the public were further advised to be aware of these dangers and not to patronize the product of these looters.
The Council also encouraged the sustenance of all channels of engagement and dialogue with youth groups, community leaders, professional bodies, associations and traditional rulers to foster more understanding that will lead to a de-escalation of the current situation.
Members of the security forces were commended for their efforts so far and encouraged to continue to work in restoring and maintaining peace in the State. The Government has also promised to look into their challenges with a view to addressing them and making them more effective.
The Government again restated that there was no hoarding of palliatives as the looted items were delivered to the State by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development just before the #ENDSARS protests began which made it difficult for the distribution to commence before the sad looting and destruction of the warehouses.
The council advised members of the public to be wary of propaganda and disinformation that is perpetrated through the social media to incite the people against government and encourage chaos, saying no society can exist without law and order.
Council notes that up till now, some political leaders and traditional rulers have not engaged their people as resolved with at the stakeholders meeting with the Governor. They are being called upon to do so and submit reports to government immediately.
As at 26th October 2020, some of the looted and vandalized properties include: SEMA Warehouse (Old Nitel Bukuru), PRUWASSA, PADP (Dogon Dutse Jos), Mineral Museum (Angul D, Bukuru), ASTC Vom, Plateau Publishing Company, SUBEB (Dogon Dutse), Government Technical College Bukuru, Ryom Local Government Secretariat, School of Home Economics Vom, Jos foods, Jos Trade Fair (Polo), Private Residence of former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara. Others such as Grand Cereals Bukuru, State and Federal Secretariats and Private residences of some individuals have also been threatened.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
26th October 2020.

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Troops eliminate scores of bandits in Kaduna

Troops of Operation Thunder Strike have eliminated scores of bandits in Kaduna.

The operation, which involved land and air offensives on their camps at Yadi and Kufai Shantu; were carried out in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This was disclosed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, on Sunday in Abuja. Enenche said the operation was executed on Saturday following credible intelligence and series of aerial surveillance missions; adding that these led to the identification of the hideouts of the bandits.

In addition, he stated that the hideouts were confirmed to belong to a notorious leader of the bandits.

Further, Enenche disclosed that the first wave of the air component’s strikes involved seven Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft that undertook 12 missions in a total of 23 sorties. He said the operation commenced at dawn and targeted a cluster of huts housing a notorious armed bandits’ leader; Buhari Halilu.

Enenche explained that the attack aircraft destroyed some of the target structures and neutralised several bandits.

He added that the second wave of attacks targeted bandits’ hideout at Kufai Shantu; noting that these aimed at incapacitating them to reduce resistance to the ground troops advance toward Yadi. Following the air fixing efforts at Kufai Shantu, the land forces, supported by an attack helicopter; successfully assaulted Halilu’s hideout at Yadi, clearing two of three objectives.

“The ground troops subsequently fought through fierce resistance from bandits hiding under the foliage at the third objective and eventually overpowered the criminals, while eliminating several of them.

“The Air Component provided effective support to the ground troops during all phases of the operation.

“The Military High Command commends the Land and Air Components for their professionalism and urges them to remain resolute in the conduct of operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits.

“Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria sincerely appreciates the continued support and cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians; as it keeps up the tempo of operations to defeat all enemies of the nation,” he said.

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Osun Gov gives hoodlums 72 hours to return looted property

Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has given suspected hoodlums, who looted government and private property in the state, 72 hours within which to return them or face the wrath of the law.

The governor gave the order while addressing newsmen during an on-the-spot assessment of some of the looted sites.

Oyetola called on the hoodlums to surrender all the stolen items to the security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen; as well as community leaders in their respective domains. However, he warned that those who refused to honour the ultimatum would be tracked and brought to justice; while those who embraced it would be forgiven.

The governor, while sympathising with the victims of the looted property, promised them government’s support.

Among the looted sites were warehouses, where COVID-19 palliatives were stored as well as a number of private stores. Also affected was the National Grain Silos in Ilesa as hoodlums looted all the food items kept in the facility.

The governor, who expressed worry over the development, further imposed a 24-hour curfew in Osun on Saturday.

Speaking at Tuns Farm, one of the private property looted, Oyetola commiserated with Chairman of the farm; Alhaji Tunde Badmus, over the death of his staff during the raid.

“What I witnessed here today is not actually a question of hoodlums, but armed robbers. They have actually removed all the machines that are here.

“It is very unfortunate. What I have seen here is massive looting, armed robbery and stealing of the highest order. I can say categorically that EndSARS protest is not what we are seeing here today. This is pure looting and it is all over.”

In his response, Badmus said that they had written formally to the police to report the murder and armed robbery that took place in the company.

He put the figure of what was lost to the looting at more than N100 million.

Speaking at Omoluabi garment factory, which was also looted; the Osun State governor said it was unfortunate that the looting occurred at a time when the government was attracting investors.

He described the incident as unfortunate, sad and a premeditated move to disrupt the peace of the state.

“As a government, we will look at the possible ways of bringing the victims back to life through our efforts and the intervention of the Federal Government,” the governor said.

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Nigerian stowaways arrested after hijacking UK-bound ship from Lagos

A group of Nigerian stowaways who hijacked a UK-bound ship have been arrested after a 10-hour standoff.

The alleged Nigerian hijackers had threatened to kill the crew of an oil tanker – Nave Andromeda –  bound for the UK.

However, they were eventually arrested by UK special forces after a 10-hour standoff in the English Channel.

The Nave Andromeda departed Nigeria on October 6 bound for Southampton. UK authorities believe the stowaways boarded in the port of Lagos through the vessel’s rudder trunk; an opening near the ship’s hull.

When they were found by the crew, the stowaways had no identity documents. It is believed they may have hidden on board the vessel for nearly 20 days before being discovered.

Reports monitored in the UK media state that troops from the Special Boat Service stormed the Nave Andromeda under cover of darkness. The troops embarked on a nine-minute raid and detained seven suspected Nigerian migrants. The Nigerians had they forced the giant vessel to drop anchor 8km off the Isle of Wight.

The development was confirmed by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel; both of whom praised the police and armed forces for bringing the situation under control.

Wallace said: “I commend the hard work of the Armed Forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship. In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts.”

On his part, Patel said: “Tonight we are thankful for the quick and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to bring this situation under control, guaranteeing the safety of all those on board.”

Equally important, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the ship had been “subject to a suspected hijacking”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stowaways were said to have turned violent after the crew discovered them hiding in the bowels of the ship.

The ship had been due to dock in Southampton on Sunday morning.

Further, reports indicate that when the crew attempted to lock the men inside a cabin; they smashed glass and reportedly made threats to kill the crew. The captain then issued a desperate Mayday call to the mainland; pleading for help as he feared losing control of the ship.

The Nave Andromeda is believed to be able to carry up to 42,000 tons of crude oil.

“I’m trying to keep them calm but please send help,” the captain had reportedly told an operator.

Consequently, some members of the 22-strong crew retreated to the ship’s engine room “citadel”; a stronghold designed to keep out pirates, until the Special Forces finally arrived.

Flashing torches could be seen from the mainland as around 16 Special Forces troops boarded the vessel at around 1930; with two Royal Navy wildcat helicopters and two Navy Merlin Mark 4 helicopters joining the operation.

At the end of the operation, seven Nigerian men detained and brought back to the mainland for questioning. Reports indicate that they were met by “overwhelming force”. The crew were all found safe inside the ships’ stronghold.

The New Zealand Herald says it marks the second time in less than two years that African stowaways have hijacked the crew of a vessel bound for the UK. Four migrants from Nigeria and Libya were jailed in January after running amok on a container ship. The incident witnessed a 14-hour stand-off in the Thames Estuary in December 2018; with the men waving metal poles and lobbing faeces.

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PLATEAU YOUTHS/RESIDENTS MUST DEFEND THE STATE AGAINST ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY – PLABOMA

PRESS RELEASE

PLATEAU YOUTHS/RESIDENTS MUST DEFEND THE STATE AGAINST ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY – PLABOMA

Following the continuous uprising in the invasion and looting of palliatives from government installments by residents in Jos which led to the reinstatement of the 24hours curfew in Jos North and South.

More invasion and looting has been reported in the morning hours of Sunday 25th October with both public and private properties being broken into which are in no way connected to COVID-19 Palliatives.
The turn of events have gotten to a criminal level in which all well meaning Nigerians must condemn in its entirety.


Plateau Youths and residents in like manner must arise and defend the state against these criminalities as there is no reason defending the vandalization of public and private properties. Citizens must know that once these hoodlums are done with the government installments which are our common heritage we will not be safe in our homes and businesses cause they will come after us all.


Plateau citizens and all Nigerians must rise up now and stop this act of criminality now.
We, therefore, call on all the youth leaders, activist, ward leaders ethnic and religious bodies to use this time to call for calm and refrain from all uncivilized acts.


The criminality you celebrate today will turn out to be the monster that will consume you tomorrow
Please Lets Think Plateau and Act Plateau

Matthew Tegha
For Plateau Bloggers And Online Media Association

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Looters break into PADP Dogon Dutse Jos, cart away Fertilizers, Chemicals and implements.

Following the continuous uprising in the invasion and looting of palliatives from government installments by residents in Jos which led to the reinstatement of the 24hours curfew in Jos North and South. More invasion and looting has been reported as youths and residents of Nasarawa and Dogon Dutse in Jos has in the morning hours of Sunday 25th October broken into the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme PADP and carted away fertilizers, implements, Chemicals and equipments which are in no way connected to COVID-19 Palliatives.

The act is totally condemnable as it is outright vandalization and stealing of public and individual property.

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Hoodlums nabbed for alleged looting in Ilorin

The Joint Security Agencies (JSA) in Kwara has confirmed the arrest of hoodlums that allegedly looted private shops and destroyed public properties in Ilorin on Friday and Saturday.

This was disclosed by the spokesperson of the JSA and Kwara Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Equally important, he made the disclosure on Saturday while addressing newsmen in Ilorin. However, he did not give the specific number of the hoodlums arrested so far. Egbetokun said the protesters were no longer on the streets; adding that the hoodlums, on Friday, looted warehouses, Malls and shops. According to him, the security agents were overwhelmed as the hoodlums came in thousands.

The Commissioner of Police said the hoodlums forcefully dispossessed individuals of their belongings. He added that they attempted to burn down a popular Mall after looting was frustrated by security agents.

Consequently, Egbetokun appealed to parents and guardians to keep their wards off the streets. Further, he urged parents to warn them not to follow the hoodlums who are presently treading a dangerous path. He said that those who choose to remain with the criminals on the streets clearly made a choice of confrontation with the law enforcement agents and are at risk of the consequences.

The CP also appealed to all law-abiding residents of the state to stay at home for the period of the curfew. He said the #ENDSARS protest was conducted peacefully in Kwara for the period it lasted.

“The Police provided adequate protection for the protesters and followed the directive of the IGP in ensuring that the protest was conducted peacefully. I commended the organisers of the EndSARS protest and indeed the Nigerian youths who took part in the peaceful protest in Kwara.

“I recall a particular day when the youths withdrew from the protest; when it became clear that some bad elements had infiltrated and attempted to use the protest for a criminal purpose.

“This decision forced these bad elements to also flee on their own without the intervention of the security agents. I affirm again and again our commitment to the protection of lives and properties; as well as the protection of human rights of residents and visitors alike in Kwara State.

“I, however, want to make it clear that criminal elements cannot and will not enjoy our protection,” Egbetokun said.

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“Those who suffered casualties during Lekki shootings need to answer some questions” – Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, October 24, visited the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House in Marina.

Tinubu bemoaned the loss of properties due to the invasion and looting of public and private assets by hoodlums across the state.

Furthermore, the APC leader debunked reports that he travelled out of the country.

For his reason over his visit, Tinubu said he was at the Government House to ask Sanwo-Olu if he ordered soldiers to attack #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday.

He also called for a thorough investigation of the attack.

He said: “I asked Sanwo-Olu if he didn’t order the attack, who ordered the attack? That’s all I needed from him.

“First, we have to segregate the calendar – those who suffered casualty before the protests from the hands of SARS. You have to separate that from those who suffered casualty due to what happened at the toll gate.

“For those who suffered casualty from SARS, the commission of inquiry that is already set up will unearth that and will make their recommendations. I trust the calibre and the character of the people there, they are independent. That is one.

“Those who suffered casualty during the gunshots need to answer some questions too. Even though we want to help, we still must extract information that will help the government to prepare in future and understand how and when to react because the governor, in particular, is a youth.

“As a youth himself, he (Sanwo-Olu) quickly went to Abuja with the 5/5. The government immediately put into action, dissolved the SARS and had to work through other recommended actions, the needs they demanded. Within a few days, he reported back to the public. That is responsive enough.

“But where are we getting the looting; the carnage; the burning; the invasion of police stations; stealing of arms; maiming of the innocent? It is a handshake beyond the elbow.

“As for those who wanted to know about my whereabouts in the past few days, let me inform them that I didn’t go anywhere. I’m a Lagosian and I still hold the title of Asiwaju of Lagos and I am still a Jagaban.

“Fake news is all over the place. They say Seyi my son was kidnapped and was chased but look at him. I didn’t pay a penny to bring him here.”

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Forensic analysis indicates shooting of protesters at Lekki

A forensic analysis of the videos taken at the venue of the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday, October 20 shows that soldiers actually shot at protesters at the location.

This was disclosed in a report published by Digital Forensic Research (DRF) Lab.

Specifically, the forensic analysis holds that the videos, a number of which originated from #EndSARS protesters at the venue are authentic. This contradicts the claims of the Nigerian Army which had insisted that it did not deploy soldiers to the venue; and that the videos, which went viral, were doctored.

Indeed, DFR says open-source evidence at its disposal shows that the Army’s claims were false. Equally important, it used four videos to geolocate the shooting at the Lekki toll gate.

Indeed, Jean Le Roux, DFR’s Research Associate for Southern Africa says forensic analysis tells a different story.

“Several videos corroborate the location and presence of Nigerian soldiers at the Lekki Toll Plaza; a major toll highway toll concession in the south of Lagos.

“Video footage posted on Twitter place Nigerian soldiers at the plaza; where they are seen approaching peaceful demonstrators and opening fire. Subsequent footage shows injured civilians being carried away from the same location.

“A different video shows what appears to be soldiers of the Nigerian army approaching protesters where they were stationed behind plastic barriers. Soldiers approached the group and opened fire. No warning is heard in the video. Muzzle flashes indicate that several of the shots seen and heard here were fired into the air,” it stated.

“Video footage also identified injured protestors at the same scene. The author of a video uploaded to Twitter on October 20 shows injured and bloodied protestors with the author claiming they were shot by soldiers. As the video pans, a parking garage to the south of the toll gate can be seen.

“Another video taken in front of the toll gate showed several injured protestors being carried off in the presence of camouflaged soldiers, presumably the same soldiers seen in the second video above. At least two protestors are carried away, while a third is seen on the ground during the video.”

Further, DFR says geolocation of the last video placed soldiers at the southern section of the toll-gate’s eastern part; even as it faulted the denial of the Army.

“Despite denials by the Nigerian Army, open-source evidence links the presence of Nigerian soldiers at the Lekki Toll Gate; at the same time as the first reports of shooting came in.

“Video footage also showed Lekki Toll Gate protestors, who had been peaceful in the preceding 11 days, bloodied and injured in the presence of these soldiers.”

Nigerians have been united in calling for the prosecution of the soldiers who opened fire on the unarmed protesters at the venue.

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Foot A Child Outreach Lead by JOFIN

Foot a child is an outreach program aimed at reaching out to kids in a community
who do not have shoes and foot them. It is a project lead by JOFIN (Jesus Only
Friend International) to reach out to this kids and also it’s an empowerment
program also for some of the kids in the orphanage home.
ABOUT JOFIN
Jesus Only friend international (JOFIN) is a non-governmental organization which
have JOFIN as it cooperative social responsibility (CSR). The organization is one
which looks into the interest of Orphans, less privileged and disabled children.
They care for them, help them through trauma and train them to be better and
responsible members of the society.
The goals for this project are:

  1. To reach out to kids who are bare footed and foot them.
  2. To put smiles on faces.
  1. To instill into their mindset that no one is small to impact their society
  2. To use our skills to reach out to the world.
  3. To teach the kids in the orphanage that they can also give, reach out to
    others rather than always collecting and expecting things.
  4. To build a platform that allows orphans engage in developing and
    maximizing skills to make and be a positive influence in their generation and
    beyond.
    The foot wears are made by the kids in the orphanage, they are learning as a skill
    and Work is already in progress, and we need your support either in cash or kind,
    you can donate one scandal. Below are some picture of the kids engaged in some
    work.
https://twitter.com/imb_kallamu/status/1320102259993214978?s=19

©footachild.2020