Home Blog Page 2513

Allow us resume our operation – Lekki Concession Company appeals to residents over planned protest

By
Cleopatra Okohai
-
0

The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has appealed to some residents of the state against going forward with the plan to protest the reopening of the tollgates.

Using the hashtag #OccupyLekkiTollgate, some residents of the state vowed to stage fresh protests at the tollgate on Saturday, February 13 following the decision of the Lagos Judicial Panel to hand over the tollgates to the LCC. 

In a statement released this afternoon, February 11, the managing director of LCC, Yomi Omomuwasan, said the decision to repossess the tollgates is to allow the company to be in operation so it can pay its loans as well as fulfil other financial obligations.

Read Also: ‘No going back’, organisers list reasons for fresh Lekki tollgate protest

Omomuwasan added that not going back to operation within the shortest possible time would result in job losses of persons employed by the company

Read the statement below:

Senegalese Army Captures 3 Rebel Bases In Southern Casamance Region

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Senegal’s army has captured three rebel bases in the southern Casamance region with support from neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, after fighting flared up in a long-dormant independence conflict.

The conflict in Casamance, which is separated from the rest of Senegal by The Gambia, is one of Africa’s oldest and has claimed thousands of lives since it first broke out in 1982.

The region had returned to an uneasy calm in recent years until the army launched a major new offensive on January 26, the rebels accusing the government of “restarting the war”.

Senegalese army officers said following years of “neither war nor peace”, the operation was launched to secure the region after “abuses” committed by the rebels against civilians.

Suspected herdsmen allegedly ambush villagers, kill two in Ogun

By
Chris Ottah
-
0

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have again struck in Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing two villagers in an ambush.

The area which has recorded herdsmen attacks that had led to the loss of lives and property was again invaded on Thursday.

The suspected herdsmen reportedly laid an ambush for the villagers around 5 am on the Owode Ketu-Ijoun-Tata Road and killed two of them.

A resident of the village simply identified as Gbenga told our correspondent that two villagers were killed in the ambush by the herdsmen.

He said, “Herders went to lay an ambush for people in my village, Owode-Ketu around 5am this morning.

“Two corpses of locals have been found.

“Police from Eggua have evacuated the corpses.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi could not be reached for a reaction as of the time of filing this report.

Ministers Make Presentations As President Buhari Presides Over Meeting

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Ministers Attend Meeting                                SLIDES

Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Humanitarian Affairs, Water Resources, Power, Interior as well as Communications and Digital Economy made presentations at the 33rd virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, nigeria’s capital, on Wednesday.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, are physically attending the meeting.

Ten ministers are also physically attending the meeting.

The affected ministers include those of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Finance, Zainab Ahmed: Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; and Suleiman Adamu, Water Resources.

Others include the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Power, Sale Mamman; Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar; Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami; and Minister of State-Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, and other ministers are participating in the weekly council meeting from their respective offices in Abuja online.

‘No going back’, organisers list reasons for fresh Lekki tollgate protest

By
Cleopatra Okohai
-
0

Organisers of the planned protest at the Lekki tollgate have said the ban on cryptocurrency accounts among other reasons triggered their action.

They gave the reasons in a press statement made available to correspondents titled, ‘EndSARS Season 2; Why we will #OccupyLekkiTollGate on Saturday – Campaigners’, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the cause of the planned protest is beyond the ruling of the Lagos State Judicial Panel probing alleged killings of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.

The organisers explained that they are undaunted by threats by security operatives and counter-protesters under the aegis of #DefendLagos.

The statement read, “After committing genocide by killing scores of people who were peacefully protesting at Lekki Tollgate and other parts of Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu and other oppressors want to spit on the dead and dance on the blood of the innocent by reopening the yahoo gate to be collecting their blood money as again.

“We say NO! We are undaunted! We will be occupying Lekki Toll gate again starting from Saturday February 13. We urge all well meaning Nigerians to storm back all the barricades as our rulers have shown that they can never change. Since the #EndSARS, they are yet to effect any of the promises. Police brutality is still raging and SARS is still operating.

“Despite overwhelming and highly compelling evidence showing how several protesters were shot by the military, no single military personnel has been brought to book.

“Deaths have been established and many victims of the Lekki shootings have surfaced, yet neither the victims nor families of our deceased colleagues have gotten justice.

Read Also: Cryptocurrency: Senate summons CBN Gov, DG SEC

 “After close to five months of sitting, the judicial panel meant to inquire into the lekki massacre has refused to deliver justice to victims of the Lekki massacre most of whom have either lost their limbs due to gun wounds or have become deceased.

“Despite overwhelming grounds of involvement of Governor Sanwoolu and ex-army chief, Buratai in the Lekki Massacre, neither of them have been brought to book. President Buhari instead appointed them ambassadors so they won’t be arrested and prosecuted for genocide and war crimes at the Hague. Despite EndSARS, police brutality and extrajudicial killings continue unabated.

“Government has refused to provide employment for young people, yet they went ahead to ban the most promising source of income of young people; cryptocurrency.

“Nigerians are extremely poorer and yet the cost of food is on the high side with increased cost of electricity that only produces darkness. Petrol price is being increased as marketers want it at #190 per litre.

“Nigerians are no longer secured in any part of the country; when they are not being harassed or extrajudicially murdered by police, they are being kidnapped, mimed and killed by bandits.

“Today, the life of cows has become more valuable than those of Nigerians even as our streets and communities have fallen to the rule of kidnappers and bandits.

The Nigerian government now negotiates and enriches terrorists and bandits while chasing after, arresting, shooting and killing protesters.

“It is to this end that we call on you all to come out enmasse to demand not just justice for victims and fallen heroes of the October 20 killings but that all involved in this heinous criminality be brought to book. Come out to demand the right to life and to exist in a country that respects our rights as citizens, abhors police brutality/extrajudicial killings, provides us with security, decent jobs with good wages and other such socio-economic rights that come with being a citizen.”

Cryptocurrency: Senate summons CBN Gov, DG SEC

By
Cleopatra Okohai
-
0

The Senate on Thursday, summoned the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission, Lamido Yuguda, over the decision of the CBN to ban the use of cryptocurrency in the country.

The decision was taken following a motion by Senator Istifanus Gyang and Tokunbo Abiru, titled, “CBN decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies and matters arising therefrom.”

The Senate asked its committees on Banking, Insurance, and other financial institutions, Capital Market, and that of ICT and cybercrime to summon Emefiele and Yuguda.

The CBN governor and DG SEC are expected to brief the panels on the opportunities and threats of the cryptocurrency on the nation’s economy.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, asked the joint committees to listen to Emefiele and Yuguda, and submit their report for the consideration of the Senate in plenary within two weeks.

Leading the debate on the issue, Gyang noted that the CBN issued a directive stopping all financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies.

Read Also: We won’t allow another #EndSARS Protest – FG

He said the CBN decision was a follow up to its earlier directives in January 2017 and February 2018 which forbade banks not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in cryptocurrencies.

He further noted that the decision of the CBN was said to have been predicated on the need to safeguard the Nigerian economy from the adverse effects of the Cryptocurrency regime which are unregulated digital or virtual currencies that are issued by anonymous entities and secured by cryptography.

The decision was taken following a motion by Senator Istifanus Gyang and Tokunbo Abiru, titled, “CBN decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies and matters arising therefrom.”

The Senate asked its committees on Banking, Insurance, and other financial institutions, Capital Market, and that of ICT and cybercrime to summon Emefiele and Yuguda.

The CBN governor and DG SEC are expected to brief the panels on the opportunities and threats of the cryptocurrency on the nation’s economy.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, asked the joint committees to listen to Emefiele and Yuguda, and submit their report for the consideration of the Senate in plenary within two weeks.

Leading the debate on the issue, Gyang noted that the CBN issued a directive stopping all financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies.

He said the CBN decision was a follow up to its earlier directives in January 2017 and February 2018 which forbade banks not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in cryptocurrencies.

He further noted that the decision of the CBN was said to have been predicated on the need to safeguard the Nigerian economy from the adverse effects of the Cryptocurrency regime which are unregulated digital or virtual currencies that are issued by anonymous entities and secured by cryptography.

He observed that cryptography is a “method of encrypting and hiding codes that prevent oversight, accountability and regulation upon which the CBN says its use in Nigeria violates and contravenes existing law as only the CBN is authorized by law to issue legal tender.

He added: “Concerned that Crypto currency by nature is anchored on anonymity, obscurity and concealment of its patrons and actors making it difficult, if not impossible, to trace, track and uncover those that may deploy it for ignoble and illegal usage such as money laundering, terrorism financing, drug purchase, cybercrime, etc.

“Aware that the action and directive of the CBN has attracted sharp reactions from Nigerians and has become a topical subject of national discuss; and

“Realized that Crypto currency is both an opportunity and a threat, hence the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that the nation and citizens do not miss out on the opportunities that Crypto currency offers and in the same vein, mitigate and prevent likely consequential effects on the nation’s economy and security.”

Senators in their contribution supported the motion.

Senators approved the only prayer of the motion when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The joint committee was given two weeks to report back to plenary by the Senate President.

We won’t allow another #EndSARS Protest – FG

By
Cleopatra Okohai
-
0

The Federal Government has vowed to prevent another session of #EndSARS protest from happening again in the country.

Some youths under the banner of ‘Occupy Lekki Toll Gate’ are planning on staging another protest at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on Saturday.

Warning against such, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the government won’t allow the destabilisation of Nigeria.

He said, “The ”Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” flyers have been circulating online, with the proponents threatening that ”Lagos will burn” again.

“Let me be clear: While peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, violent protests are not. At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high.

“Based on the intelligence at the disposal of the Federal Government, some Nigerian activists have linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country. We cannot and must not allow this to happen.

“Never again will the Federal Government allow the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country under the guise of the #EndSars last October.

“Never again will anyone or group be allowed to destroy cities or to kill and maim innocent citizens, including security agents, under any guise.

“The EndSars campaign last October started as a peaceful protest against police brutality.

Read Also: #EndSARS: CBN must stay out of the Political Arena – Falana

“As a government that believes in the constitutionally-guaranteed right of citizens to engage in peaceful protests, the Federal Government did nothing to hinder the protests for as long as they remained peaceful.

“Not only that, the @NigeriaGov moved swiftly to accede to the five-point demands by the EndSars campaigners which are:

“Immediate release of all arrested protesters

“Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

“Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days.

“In line with the new Police Act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed.

“And increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

“Unfortunately, despite the acceptance of the demands, the protesters misread the Federal Government’s respect for the rule of law and defiantly continued to demonstrate and occupy a public facility, even after a curfew was declared by the Lagos State Government.

“This led to a series of actions that culminated in the hijacking of the protests by hoodlums, who perpetrated unimaginable violence in Lagos and other cities across the country.

“The trillion-Naira destruction of Lagos, in particular, remains too fresh a wound. Hundreds, including the youth, lost their livelihoods to the wanton attacks in Lagos.

“The burnt wreckage of public buses that were wantonly set ablaze by rampaging hoodlums remain in their positions as a sad and gory reminder of the unprecedented attacks. The city is still reeling from the war-like
destruction.

“For those who are using justice as an alibi for another round of destruction, let me say this: As we speak, the Judicial Panels of Inquiry, set up across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units, are continuing with the assignments.

“In Lagos, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry has an added responsibility of investigating the incident of October 20th at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“Like we have said many times, anyone who has any information on the alleged shooting or purported massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including the names and addresses of those who were purportedly killed, should head to the Panel to give it such information.

“This is how to enhance the search for justice, not by rabble rousing or engaging in media shows.

“However, any further resort to violence in the name of EndSars will not be tolerated this time. The security agents are ready for any eventuality.

“A situation in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself. The attack, looting and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted.

“We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist. We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria.

“They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics.

“No government anywhere will allow a repeat of the kind of destruction, killing and maiming wrought by the hijackers of EndSars protests last year.

“After all, only one policeman – (plus four others) – was killed in the invasion of the US Capitol in January, yet the FBI has continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators. No life is more important than the other.

“The Federal Government is also keenly watching the role being played by the various social media platforms in this renewed clamour for violence in the country.

“Recall that the social media platforms that eagerly nudged on the #EndSars protesters, until the situation got out of hand, are the same ones that quickly pulled the plug on even their own President when the chips were down in their own country.

“I hope we have all learnt our lessons. If we allow them to destroy our country, we will bear the brunt.”

Warning against such, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the government won’t allow the destabilisation of Nigeria.

He said, “The ”Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” flyers have been circulating online, with the proponents threatening that ”Lagos will burn” again.

“Let me be clear: While peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, violent protests are not. At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high.

“Based on the intelligence at the disposal of the Federal Government, some Nigerian activists have linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country. We cannot and must not allow this to happen.

“Never again will the Federal Government allow the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country under the guise of the #EndSars last October.

“Never again will anyone or group be allowed to destroy cities or to kill and maim innocent citizens, including security agents, under any guise.

“The EndSars campaign last October started as a peaceful protest against police brutality.

“As a government that believes in the constitutionally-guaranteed right of citizens to engage in peaceful protests, the Federal Government did nothing to hinder the protests for as long as they remained peaceful.

“Not only that, the @NigeriaGov moved swiftly to accede to the five-point demands by the EndSars campaigners which are:

“Immediate release of all arrested protesters

“Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

“Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days.

“In line with the new Police Act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed.

“And increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

“Unfortunately, despite the acceptance of the demands, the protesters misread the Federal Government’s respect for the rule of law and defiantly continued to demonstrate and occupy a public facility, even after a curfew was declared by the Lagos State Government.

“This led to a series of actions that culminated in the hijacking of the protests by hoodlums, who perpetrated unimaginable violence in Lagos and other cities across the country.

“The trillion-Naira destruction of Lagos, in particular, remains too fresh a wound. Hundreds, including the youth, lost their livelihoods to the wanton attacks in Lagos.

“The burnt wreckage of public buses that were wantonly set ablaze by rampaging hoodlums remain in their positions as a sad and gory reminder of the unprecedented attacks. The city is still reeling from the war-like
destruction.

“For those who are using justice as an alibi for another round of destruction, let me say this: As we speak, the Judicial Panels of Inquiry, set up across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units, are continuing with the assignments.

“In Lagos, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry has an added responsibility of investigating the incident of October 20th at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“Like we have said many times, anyone who has any information on the alleged shooting or purported massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including the names and addresses of those who were purportedly killed, should head to the Panel to give it such information.

“This is how to enhance the search for justice, not by rabble rousing or engaging in media shows.

“However, any further resort to violence in the name of EndSars will not be tolerated this time. The security agents are ready for any eventuality.

“A situation in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself. The attack, looting and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted.

“We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist. We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria.

“They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics.

“No government anywhere will allow a repeat of the kind of destruction, killing and maiming wrought by the hijackers of EndSars protests last year.

“After all, only one policeman – (plus four others) – was killed in the invasion of the US Capitol in January, yet the FBI has continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators. No life is more important than the other.

“The Federal Government is also keenly watching the role being played by the various social media platforms in this renewed clamour for violence in the country.

“Recall that the social media platforms that eagerly nudged on the #EndSars protesters, until the situation got out of hand, are the same ones that quickly pulled the plug on even their own President when the chips were down in their own country.

“I hope we have all learnt our lessons. If we allow them to destroy our country, we will bear the brunt.”

#EndSARS: CBN must stay out of the Political Arena – Falana

By
Cleopatra Okohai
-
0

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stay out of politics and stick to the business of banking.

Falana’s call was made in reaction to the unfreezing of bank accounts belonging to 20 #EndSARS promoters.

Following the #EndSARS protest that rocked the nation in October 2020, the CBN obtained an injunction from the court to freeze the accounts of certain individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests, a move which Mr Falana describes as a case of intimidation.

The human rights lawyer who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily argued that the apex bank went out of its way.

“I do hope that sufficient lessons have been learnt particularly by the Central Bank to desist from jumping into the political arena by attempting to freeze the accounts of people who are involved in the struggle one way or the other against the government,” he stated.

Falana further argued that the CBN misled the court into believing that some grave offences had been committed, which would require time to run an investigation.

He however noted that no offense was committed and no attempt was made by the Central Bank to investigate any individual.

The lawyer urged the CBN to be more circumspect in the future, adding that the individuals whose accounts were frozen will be going to court to challenge the “gross violation” of their rights to their property.

Read Also: Court orders CBN to unfreeze #EndSARS protesters bank accounts

Buhari Tolerated Excesses of #EndSARS Protesters

In contradiction to Mr Falana argument that the rights of the #EndSARS campaigners were infringed, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, says President Muhammadu Buhari tolerated the ‘excesses’ of #EndSARS protesters in the country, back in October 2020.

According to the AGF, that, among other actions of the president is proof of his leniency, despite what he termed as “human rights violations” in the country.

Mr. Malami said this on Wednesday while addressing a number of issues from the government’s reaction to the #EndSARS protests, to the appointment of new service chiefs, the extension of the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police, among others.

“As far as Human Rights records of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned, the fact speaks for itself, the commendation by the international body which is the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, local compliance with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission, which has been unprecedented, tolerance and indeed, accommodation for the excesses of the #EndSARS protesters were all facts that go to establish a point that the government of President Buhari has shown greater accommodation of the human rights violation and the tolerance to the human rights record as far as the Nigerian State is concerned,” the AGF said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

According to him, “no nation in the world could have tolerated the idea of destruction to its security institutions”.

“I think over 20 police stations or more — I’m not certain about the number, they can be more — were destroyed during #EndSARS protests and government has a responsibility to ensure the protection of lives and freedom of movement.

“We are confronted with a situation whereby #EndSARS protesters blocked roads, caused mayhem, caused deaths, caused destruction, and they were significantly tolerated to a certain extent,” he added.

Meanwhile, the AGF also reacted to the court order on the Central Bank of Nigeria to unfreeze bank accounts of #EndSARS promoters.

He explained that the law provides the Federal Government with other options which include the right to challenge or exercise further considerations on the matter if the need arises.

Guardiola hits 200 wins as Manchester City manager

By
Chris Ottah
-
0

Pep Guardiola racked up his 200th win as Manchester City boss on Wednesday as his side dispatched Swansea City in their FA Cup tie. 

Goals from Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus saw City safely into the quarter-finals with a win in south Wales. 

It also bought up a significant landmark for Guardiola, who has become a club idol in his four and a half seasons in charge. 

The Catalan took the City job in 2016 following brilliant spells in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. 

Guardiola’s four years in charge at Camp Nou yielded no less than 14 trophies, including two Champions League triumphs, while he added a further seven to his tally during three seasons in charge in Bavaria. 

His arrival at Etihad Stadium generated huge expectation from the City faithful, and made a positive start by winning his first game in charge, 2-1 at home to Sunderland. 

It was a sign of things to come as Guardiola’s new charges won all of the first 10 games he oversaw, before being held to a draw away to Celtic in the Champions League to end that run. 

In this, his fifth season at the helm, Guardiola and City are odds-on to regain the Premier League title that was lost to Liverpool in 2019-20. 

Pep hails his Man City players after record-breaking run

It would be his third league crown in the English top flight and ninth trophy overall, while City are also in contention for the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League this term. 

That latter title, though, has remained elusive, as it did throughout his Bayern stay. City have not made it past the quarter-final stage since Pep took over, coming unstuck last year in an upset at the hands of Lyon.

#OccupyLekkiTollgate: Never again will we allow another protest at Lekki tollgate — FG

By
Chris Ottah
-
0

The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has warned those who are planning to reoccupy the Lekki tollgate in Lagos state to desist from it.

On Monday, some citizens on social media called for a demonstration at the tollgate after the judicial panel established by the Lagos state government to probe police brutality and human rights abuses okayed its reopening on Saturday.

Operations at the tollgate were suspended after the shooting of #EndSARS protesters on October 20. The reoccupation of the tollgate is billed to take place on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Mohammed said the federal government would not allow the kind of violence that trailed the #EndSARS demonstrations last year.

According to the minister, there is intelligence suggesting that the protest would be hijacked by “subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country”.

“Let me be clear. While peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, violent protests are not. At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high. Based on the intelligence at the disposal of the Federal Government, some Nigerian activists have linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country. We cannot and must not allow this to happen,” he said.

“Never again will the Federal Government allow the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country under the guise of the EndSars last October. Never again will anyone or group be allowed to destroy cities or to kill and maim innocent citizens, including security agents, under any guise.

“We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist. We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria.

“They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics.”

Mohammed said the federal government is watching the role being played by social media platforms “in this renewed clamour for violence in the country”.

“Recall that the social media platforms that eagerly nudged on the EndSars protesters, until the situation got out of hand, are the same ones that quickly pulled the plug on even their own President when the chips were down in their own country,” he said.

“I hope we have all learnt our lessons. If we allow them to destroy our country, we will bear the brunt.”

1...2,5122,5132,514...2,609Page 2,513 of 2,609