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EndSARS: Controversy as panel members, govt clash over alleged technicalities, discrepancies in report

Published

4 years ago

November 20, 2021

The leaked report by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution on Lekki Toll Gate Shooting Incident and Cases of Police Brutality as well as human rights violations, is currently generating controversy across the country.

DAILY POST reports that the panel which was set up by the state government to investigate the allegations of killings at the Lekki Tollgate during the EndSARS protest in October 20, 2020, submitted its report to the state government on Monday, October 15.

The 309-page report which went on circulation since Monday has indicted the Nigerian Army and the Police of being responsible for the death of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, admitting that there was a massacre.

The report has, however, generated controversies from concerned Nigerians who called out the presidency over its constant claim that there was no such killings by the Nigerian army and the police.

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Many stakeholders have lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari over the content of the report, accusing him of masterminding the massacre of the Nigerian youths who were protesting against extrajudicial killings by the police particularly the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

DAILY POST recalls that a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, upon sighting the report, swiftly issued a petition on the change.org platform against the president, saying Buhari ordered the shooting which led to the death of unspecified Nigerian youths.

Following the report which is currently being studied by the Lagos State government, the former presidential aide petitioned Buhari for allegedly ordering the Lekki shooting.

As of 8pm on Friday when DAILY POST visited the website, it was observed that about 86, 000 Nigerians have signed the petition which is directed to the International Criminal Court – ICC, to prosecute the President over the allegations.

According to Omokri, the petition will be submitted to the President of the ICC, Piotr Hofmański after it receives hundred thousand (100,000) signatures.

He said, “By the grace of God, Buhari will retire to prison in 2023 and all future Presidents will see that there is a consequence to the mass murder of Nigerians by the state.”

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DAILY POST also recalls that Anthony Ehilebo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Director of New Media, on Thursday called for the sack of Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, over the EndSARS panel report.

Ehilebo who expressed anger over the controversy surrounding the Lekki shooting and the findings of the panel, also called for the immediate removal of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s immunity to expose him to the wrath of the law.

It could be recalled that the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association while reacting to the report, commended the panel for its timely finding, advising other states who had set up such panels to make their reports public to engender public confidence.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while speaking on the report, described the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as a “murderous party”.

The opposition party, in a statement by Ita National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondinya, on Tuesday, said the report of the panel confirming the gruesome killings of innocent youths, strengthened the fact that the APC was running a “murderous and oppressive regime”, that has no regard for life.

Following the outrage by Nigerians who stormed the various social media to express their grievances, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday, warmed those accusing it of killing the unarmed protesters.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso, appealed to the people to watch their words

Also, the Lagos State Government’s lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, blamed the panel for making its findings, recommendations and conclusions available to the general public.

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While claiming that there are at least 40 discrepancies in the report, he said it should not be in the news pending the original copy. Owonikoko also said that the content of the report is not completely accurate.

But the head of the panel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, on Friday, insisted that he acted on the mandate of the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to fulfill his promise by making its findings public.

He raised the alarm over the alleged persecution of panel members, saying that since the report of its findings was submitted to the state government on Monday, some of them have been under media attacks.

Mr Adegboruwa said in his statement that members of the panel are being “unfairly persecuted,” and called names by some officials of the government.

Recall also that the United States, US Mission in Nigeria on Tuesday while welcoming the report, said America awaits the response from President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and the Lagos authorities, urging them to act fast on the report.

Responding to that, President Buhari on Thursday while meeting with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said that the Federal Government will allow the system to exhaust itself, stressing that it will wait for pronouncements from state governments that have set up panels to probe the alleged police brutality in the country.

This has also triggered reactions as some Nigerians alleged that the government is unhappy with the report and was probably expecting the panel to remain silent like other previous cases.

Some respondents told DAILY POST that the government is currently struggling and finding a way to still cover up the massacre with lies.

A current affair analyst, Mr John Ameh who spoke to our correspondent, said, “I actually commend the Lago panel. They have done so well. From the reactions of the government, you can see that they were not expecting the panel to reveal the truth.

“This is how the Federal Government and even most states have been inaugurating panels to investigate crimes and at last, no report will come out. This one ‘choke’ them well.

“Even when the panels submit their reports, you find out that it will not be implemented and nothing will be heard about it again”.

He recalled the case of Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission of Nigeria, also called the Oputa Panel, which was set up by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to investigate the military dictatorship that controlled the country until 1998.

According to him, nothing has been done on the report till date, alleging that the federal and Lagos State government expected the panel on Lekki to take a similar step.

DAILY POST also reports that the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Panel on rationalisation of ministries, agencies and parastatals which was set up by the former President, Goodluck Jonathan is yet to be implemented by the Federal Government.

Recall also that the report of the panel headed by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on restructuring has not been implemented till date and government has taken no further actions.

Daily Post

Related Topics:#EndSARS clash Controversy discrepancies Featured govt panel Report technicalities

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Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade

Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOS) has strongly condemned the demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, describing the action as an act of injustice, religious bias, and a direct assault on public education and communal coexistence in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, an executive member of MUSCOS, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, accused those behind the demolition of deliberately disrupting the education of children from the Idikan community, noting that the majority of pupils of the affected school are Muslim children from the host community.

Demolition

Agunbiade described the school as a historic public primary school that has served Idikan for decades, stressing that its destruction goes beyond the loss of infrastructure and represents an attack on the future of vulnerable pupils.

The MUSCOS leader further expressed outrage over reports that the demolished school premises had been converted into a religious crusade ground, calling the development “morally indefensible” and a clear indication of religious marginalisation.

“A public school was demolished, yet the same space is now being used for religious activities. This contradiction raises serious concerns about the motives behind the demolition,” Agunbiade said.

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He argued that if the action was based on legal or ownership issues, the appropriate approach should have involved dialogue, due process, and lawful resolution, rather than what he described as forceful demolition followed by religious appropriation.

According to him, the incident threatens peaceful coexistence and deepens religious divisions in a state known for tolerance and pluralism, warning that no religious institution should advance its interests at the expense of children’s right to education.

MUSCOS has therefore called on the Oyo State Government to provide a clear and transparent explanation on how the demolition was approved, as well as to ensure full accountability for all parties involved in authorising and executing the action.

The group also demanded the urgent provision of alternative learning facilities for displaced pupils before January 5, 2025, the reconstruction of new classrooms on the demolished site, and firm assurances that public schools and public assets would be protected from arbitrary destruction or religious repurposing.

Demolition

Agunbiade reaffirmed MUSCOS’ commitment to peaceful advocacy, justice, and the defence of the educational rights of Nigerian children, regardless of religious background.

“The destruction of a school is the destruction of opportunity. Society is poorer when education is sacrificed,” he added.

The Oyo State Government and the Baptist Church are yet to officially respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

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Security Operatives Seal Bagudo General Hospital After Early Morning Explosion

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Bagudo General Hospital

Security Operatives Seal Bagudo General Hospital After Early Morning Explosion

Panic swept through Bagudo, Kebbi State, in the early hours of Tuesday following a loud explosion at the General Hospital, prompting the immediate deployment of a joint security team to secure the area.

A combined force of police officers, military personnel, and vigilante groups was mobilised to cordon off the hospital and its surroundings, as residents expressed fear over the incident.

Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman Anisma, said specialised EOD–CBRN teams were on ground conducting a detailed assessment of the situation.

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According to him, no casualties were recorded, though a building within the hospital’s staff quarters sustained damage. The affected occupants were safely evacuated without injury.

Anisma added that the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State has ordered reinforced security measures, including additional tactical deployments, to maintain public order and prevent further threats.

He noted that a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.

The police urged residents to remain calm and avoid the immediate vicinity of the hospital to allow security and investigative operations to continue unhindered.

Security Operatives Seal Bagudo General Hospital After Early Morning Explosion

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Lagos Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers Along Lekki–Epe Expressway

Published

2 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

CSP Abimbola Adebisi

Lagos Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers Along Lekki–Epe Expressway

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected traffic robbers along the Lekki–Epe Expressway within the last two weeks, following mounting complaints from motorists over the theft of vehicle parts during traffic gridlock.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Tactical Squad, Elemoro, at different locations along the busy corridor, according to the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi.

“Fourteen suspected traffic robbers have been arrested by the Tactical Squad, Elemoro, within the last two weeks at different locations along the Lekki–Epe Expressway,” Adebisi said in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

She described the arrests as a clear demonstration of the command’s commitment to improving security and protecting road users, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

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“See something, say something,” the police spokesperson added.

The arrests come amid heightened public concern over traffic-related robberies in the Lekki axis, where criminals are accused of exploiting heavy congestion to steal car mirrors, covers and other vehicle parts, often under the guise of begging or street trading.

Earlier, popular tech influencer Fisayo Fosudo raised alarm on social media, lamenting repeated attacks on his vehicle.

“Today makes it the fourth time that these boys on the street will steal my car’s parts in Lagos traffic,” Fosudo wrote on X.

His post triggered further reactions from motorists, including warnings that certain vehicle models are being deliberately targeted. One user cautioned that RX 350 models (2017–2022) are frequent targets at night along the Lekki–Epe corridor, noting that stolen side mirrors can cost over ₦100,000 to replace.

Residents have long complained that criminals exploit traffic gridlock on the Lekki–Epe Expressway to snatch valuables and vehicle parts, eroding public confidence and road safety.

The police said investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing, adding that increased patrols and tactical operations have been deployed to curb the menace and restore confidence among motorists using the route.