Police disperse protesters with tear gas during #EndSARS 4th anniversary rally at Lekki Toll Gate
Officers of the Lagos State Police Command used tear gas and made arrests on Sunday as they dispersed protesters rallying to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, a movement that gained international attention in October 2020.
Videos from the scene showed demonstrators fleeing as shots were fired into the air, and clouds of tear gas filled the area.
The protesters, who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate around 8:30 a.m. with banners and placards, called for the full implementation of the recommendations made by various judicial panels of inquiry set up in the aftermath of the 2020 protests.
Their placards carried messages demanding justice and accountability for the victims of police brutality and the implementation of reforms promised by the government.
In October 2020, the #EndSARS movement erupted across Nigeria, as thousands of young people took to the streets in major cities to protest against the rampant abuses, killings, and extortion committed by officers of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit within the Nigerian Police Force.
The protests culminated in a tragic confrontation at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where security forces, including the Nigerian military, reportedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. The exact number of fatalities remains contested, but numerous people were severely injured, with reports of deaths surfacing in the days that followed.
Following the tragic events of October 2020, the Nigerian government established judicial panels across various states to investigate the incidents and address the protesters’ demands. However, nearly four years later, many of the panels’ recommendations have yet to be fully implemented, leaving protesters and human rights advocates disillusioned.
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Speaking at the scene of the recent rally, one of the protesters recounted his experience during the police dispersal. In his words “They have started firing tear gas at us. I fell into the gutter; I was hit on the head,” he told an online media.
In another video obtained by Vanguard on social media, one of the arrested activists, Hassan Soweto, speaking from the Black Maria, said: “A group of protesters who wanted to mark the fourth anniversary of the EndSars Lekki Toll Gate event were apprehended by a group of policemen under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State. I am right now speaking to you from a black maria, completely beaten by police officers without provocation.
“We’re asking here today when the right to commemorate the dead has become illegal and criminalised in this country. We’re simply here to mark the passage of our brothers and sisters who were killed four years ago, we’re asking the international media and members of the public to prevail over the Nigerian government, and the Tinubu regime to stop further attacks on protesters in our country. We’re never going to give up on our right to continue to demand our rights.”
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, defended the police action, stating that the protesters were causing traffic disruptions at the toll gate.
“They were told to disperse, but they were adamant; we had to use minimal force to disperse them,” Hundeyin said.
He denied that there was any confrontation between the police and protesters, despite reports of arrests and injuries.
As the world reflects on the significance of the #EndSARS movement, which brought attention to police brutality in Nigeria and across Africa, the events of this rally highlight ongoing frustrations among activists.
Many are still seeking justice for the victims of the Lekki Toll Gate shooting and demanding that the promises of police reform and accountability be fulfilled.
Earlier today, a group of Nigerians gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the 4th anniversary of the #EndSARS protest, which resulted in the massacre of unarmed protesters. The police dispersed the crowd with teargas. pic.twitter.com/FoDNFEq4bm
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) October 20, 2024
Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom
The two Reverend Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, along with an Anambra High Court Judge, have been released after being kidnapped last week.
The Reverend Sisters were abducted while returning home from a meeting, while the judge, whose identity was not disclosed, was kidnapped on Saturday at the entrance to his home in Awka.
A source close to the judge’s family confirmed his release on Sunday, just 24 hours after the abduction.
In a statement titled “Notification of Release and Expression of Profound Gratitude,” Sr. Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, IHM Secretary General, announced the release of the Reverend Sisters.
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“I bring to your notice in joy that our dear Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, who were kidnapped in the evening of Tuesday, 7th January 2025, have been released unconditionally and in good health.
“We thank God and thank you all for your prayers and support all through these rough and uncertain days. May God forever be blessed through Mary our Mother,” her statement read.
The release of the kidnapped victims has brought relief to the people of Anambra State, who have been living in fear of kidnappings and other violent crimes in recent times.
Gospel singer Temileyin caught with severed head of girlfriend in Abuja
A gospel singer identified as Oluwatimileyin Ajayi has been captured by some members of a church whose name was not given, located in Orozo, a community located on the border between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Nasarawa State for carrying the decapitated head of his girlfriend in a polybag while attending a church service.
The church’s Bible Study teacher and General Secretary, Caleb Umaru, revealed that this incident happened on Sunday, January 12.
He noted that the incident took place at approximately 11 am during a thanksgiving service celebrating the conclusion of a seven-day fast.
He said,”It was almost the end of service around 11am during the final pledge and prayers.
“A church member, Bro Victor, opened his eyes during prayers and saw someone passing by the river close to the church, carrying a bag and his movement was suspicious.
“That drew his attention. He called the attention of another brother, Brother Amos.
“The two men discovered Ajayi sitting at the back of the church.
“When he saw them, he threw a black nylon bag into the river.”
Umaru explained that the water level in the river was low due to the dry season.
Adding that, “They inquired from him what he threw into the river and he said nothing.
“After many questions that he didn’t answer, they left him and went back but didn’t go into the church.
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“While they were discussing outside, two bikemen came and asked the brothers if they had seen anyone pass through and they asked the bikemen to describe the person they were looking for.
“When the description matched, they told the bikemen that the person was at the back of their church.
“And the guy was still sitting there which I consider a miraculous intervention.”
“One of the motorcyclists stated that he had picked up the suspect from a nearby town, Loko-Tiye, and noticed blood dripping from the bag he was carrying.
“The motorcyclist asked the suspect about the contents of the bag, but the suspect requested to be dropped near the church.
“Not wanting to face the man alone, the motorcyclist called another rider to follow and track the suspect.
“The four men confronted Ajayi, demanding that he retrieve the bag he had thrown into the river.
“As the scene unfolded, church members gathered outside, and the pastor was notified.
“He came out to join the group before going back inside to inform the congregation about the troubling situation.
“People came outside and he was surrounded and he was repeatedly asked to open the bag.
“Ajayi suddenly started running and the men ran after him.
“It took the grace of God for the four of them to be able to catch him.
“That’s why you can see the video happened in a bushy area, like a farm. He ran very far.
“The bikemen started hitting his head with a stick but the church brothers tried to stop the bikemen from killing him because they wanted to follow the matter up.
“The guy was injured and was already weak and couldn’t talk and still no one knew what was in the bag.
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“My pastor took a bike to go bring a policeman but he couldn’t find a police officer at the station until someone called a policeman to come and that’s why you can see in the video I shared one policeman interrogating him.”
Umaru added that the suspect was also questioned about the knife wounds on his hand, and he explained that he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend.
The Bible study teacher said the suspect explained that he took her phone and found she was texting another man, which led to them dragging the phone and the girlfriend used a knife to cut his hand which led to the injury.
Umaru stated that, “He collected the knife and stabbed her in the neck.
“Someone went to open nylon back in the church area and someone came to report to us that it was human head that was inside the nylon where we were and people started rushing to go and see for themselves.”
When asked where he was taking the head, he said, a woman told him to bring the head to her.
The Bible study teacher further stated that, “The girl is from around Mararaba, Nyanya, and he doesn’t know her relatives.
“They carried his body because he was lying down and almost half dead and they put him in the police van.They also took the head.”
Ajayi was recognized by netizens, as a gospel singer, and Umaru confirmed that a friend from Lagos had mentioned his background as a gospel musician.
When the culprit was asked about the nature of his job, he said he is into social media management and he is a content creator.
However the police spokesperson for the FCT, Josephine Adeh, clarified that the area is part of Nasarawa State and directed the inquiry to Nasarawa’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ramhan Nansel.
But, Nansel has not made any comment regarding the issue.
Umaru stated that the incident has profoundly disturbed the church community.
“This was my first time seeing something like this physically. I only watch it.
“I have not seen something like this before,” he concluded.
5 things you need to know about 44-year-old Mojisola Meranda, 1st Lagos Assembly female speaker
Mojisola Meranda has emerged as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the impeachment of Mudashir Obasa over multiple fraudulent allegations.
Meranda, who was Obasa’s deputy, was immediately sworn in after Obasa’s impeachment on Monday, January 13, 2025.
With this development, Meranda becomes the first female speaker. of the Lagos State Assembly.
If you’ve never heard about her, here are five things to know about the Lagos lawmaker representing Apapa constituency 1.
Early Life
Meranda was born on August 16, 1980 into the popular Akapo family in Lagos.
Family
Meranda was born to the family of late father, Chief Taoreed Lawal-Akapo was the Ojora of Lagos from 1977 to 1993, and and Princess M.A Lawal Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru.
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Education
Meranda started her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School and then moved to Randle Primary School, at Randle Avenue in Surulere from 1986 to 1992. She proceeded to the Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School (1992–1996) and Ansar-ud-Deen Secondary School (1996 -1998) for her secondary school education.
In 2013, she graduated from Lagos State University with a Bachelors of Science in Public Administration.
Lagos root
Meranda hails from a royal house in Lagos and her brother, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal is the Oniru of Iru land.
Political career
The 44-year-old lawmaker is one of the four women in the Lagos House of Assembly. Meranda was first elected as a member of the Lagos Assembly in 2015 having served in different capacities at the Apapa local government. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Meranda grew up in a family of politicians and developed interest in politics when she worked as a personal assistant to Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on technology and special projects to Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure and Lagos State governor.
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