Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 14th October, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 14th October 2020

1. #EndPoliceBrutality: Presidential Panel Okays 5of5 Demands Of #ENDSARS

The Presidential Panel on Police reforms set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to address irregularities in the Nigeria Police Force has okays five demands of the #ENDSARS Protesters.

The development was disclosed in a Twitter post on Tuesday, October 13 by Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant to the president on New Media.

According to Ahmad, the Inspector General of Police has since ordered all state commissioners of police to ensure no officer and any insignia of the defunct SARS squad is seen in public and the state commissioners of police will ensure “strict compliance” of the directive.

He wrote; “JUST IN: The Presidential Panel on Police reforms swings into action, okays #5for5 demand of #EndSARS protesters.”

2. IGP Adamu Sets Up SWAT To Replace F-SARS

Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Tuesday set up a new tactical unit to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the new unit is named Special Weapons and Tactics Team – (SWAT).

IGP also directed all operatives of the now-defunct SARS to report at the Force Head Quarters in Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

The statement read in part, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has, today, 13th October 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination. The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

“The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.

“The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members of this new team will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

“They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.”

3. 774,000 Jobs: FG Shifts Commencement Date

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has rescheduled the commencement date for the recruitment of 774,000 Nigerians.

The programme which was created to recruit unskilled workers across Nigeria was scheduled for 1st of October.

The Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo on Tuesday noted that the programme will commence on the 1st of November instead.

He further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for rescheduling.

“Mr. President has approved the request of @fkeyamo to reschedule the commencement date of the Special Public Works Programme from 1st October to the 1st of November, 2020. The programme is engaging 1000 persons from each of the 774 LGAs in the country for menial jobs for 3 months.”

4. Senate Confirms 8 New Supreme Court Justices

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, approved and confirmed the appointment of eight (8) new justices as justices of the Supreme Court.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier forwarded their names to the National Assembly for consideration and approval in a letter to the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan where he asked the Senate to approve the appointment of the eight justices.

Buhari noted that the appointments were based on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council and was also “in pursuant to Section 231 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and upon the advice of the National Judicial Council according to their ranking and seniority in the Court of Appeal.”

Below is their full list

1. Hon. Justice M. Lawal Garba – North West

2. Hon. Justice Helen M. Ogunwumiju – South West

3. Hon. Justice Addu Aboki – North West

4. Hon. Justice I. M. M. Saulawa – North West

5. Hon. Justice Adamu Jauro – North East

6. Hon. Justice Samuel C. Oseji – South South

7. Hon. Justice Tijjani Abubakar – North East

8. Hon. Justice Emmanuel A. Agim – South South

Their confirmation follows the consideration and confirmation of the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Screening of the Nominations of (8) Justices of the Court of Appeal for Appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which was presented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

5. Sanwo-Olu, Buhari Meet Over #EndSARS Protests

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday evening met with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the #EndSARS protest in Lagos State.

This was made known in a post on the Lagos State Governor official Twitter page.

“Today, I met President Muhammadu Buhari to present the demands of the Lagos #EndSARS protesters.

“The President restated his commitment to embark on a holistic reform of the entire Police Force,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu had said the Lagos State Government would be setting up a panel of enquiry that will comprise youth leaders appointed by EndSARS protesters, members of the public, Government officials, and security agencies to look into the allegations of human rights abuses levelled against SARS operatives in Lagos.

He said the objective of the panel was to bring indicted officers to book and get justice for victims of SARS operations, this was even has he set up a Trust Fund to compensate the families of the victims of police brutality in the State.

6. Northern Elders Back #EndSARS, Make Fresh Demand

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Tuesday, backed the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) by the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News reports that that the Northern Elders commended the dissolution of SARS in a statement on Tuesday titled, “Northern Elders Forum on Developments Related to Policing Nigeria”, signed by the Forum’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed.

In the statement, the Northern Elders said that the energy deployed to remove SARS should also be directed to protect north from insecurity currently ravaging the region. The forum, therefore, called for similar action the nation’s security apparatus, particularly the Service Chiefs.

The statement reads as thus; “The Forum demands that the spirit deployed against SARS should be visited on policing and securing the North. We further demand a complete overhaul of our policing and security agencies, starting with the removal of Service Chiefs and the involvement of responsible opinion in initiatives that will address the manner the nation is designed to be policed and secured.

“We appeal to fellow Nigerians to show the highest levels of restraint and maturity in the manner we organize the defence of our rights. Under no circumstances should we encourage acts that increase our exposure to crime, lawlessness and insecurity.

“The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has noted the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to order the scrapping of the much-maligned Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), and reorganization and investigations into excesses of the outfit.

“The Forum notes that this decision should be placed in the context of the huge demands that had been made for the President to address serious shortfalls in our policing and security institutions.”

7. Ondo: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Akeredolu, Deputy

The re-elected Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has been presented with his certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Deputy Governor-elect, Lucky Ayedatiwa was also presented with his certificate of return at the event held on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters located in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The certificate presentation was done by the Ondo State INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju.

Naija News recalls INEC had earlier on Sunday, 11th October, declared Akeredolu as the winner of the 2020 Ondo State governorship election which held on Saturday, 10th October.

Prof Idowu Olayinka, the INEC Returning Officer, declared Governor Akeredolu the winner Ondo 2020 governorship election with 292,830 votes.

On the other hand, Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 195,791 while Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) scored 69,127 votes.

The Governor while speaking on Tuesday, commended INEC and security agents for the way they handled Saturday’s election. He later dedicated his victory and the certificates to God and the people of the state.

8. President Buhari Nominates His Media Aide, Onochie, 3 Others As INEC Commissioners

Lauretta Onochie, the Special Assistant on Social Media to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has been nominated as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representing Delta State.

Buhari also nominated Prof. Mohammed Sani representing Katsina; Prof. Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti) and Seidu Ahmed (Jigawa) to fill the quota of INEC Commissioners in their state.

This was confirmed in a letter of request to the National Assembly which was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Buhari noted in his letter that the nomination was pursuant to Paragraph 14 of part 1F of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

9. Four Policemen Die In Ondo Accident

Some operatives of the Ondo State Police Command lost their lives in an accident on Tuesday.

Information gathered revealed that the policemen died in the accident which occurred along Oba-Ile Airport road in Akure, the state capital.

The accident saw three others critically injured.

Eyewitnesses note that the policemen’s Hilux van somersaulted severally before hitting a pavement.

According to the statement of an eyewitness, the accident was caused by over-speeding which led to the loss of control.

The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the command, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, but said he was yet to be fully briefed.

10. #ENDSARS: Families Of Killed Protesters To Receive Compensation – Reps Announce

The House of Representatives has said it will compesate families of patriotic Nigerians who lost their lives while protesting against the assault of citizens by the dissolved unit of the Nigeria Police Force, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The move was revealed on Tuesday (today), October 13 by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabimaila, at the commencement of the plenary session, Naija News understands.

Gbajabiamila who also condemned the ‘unprofessional’ activities of the controversial unit of the police force, while speaking at the plenary today stated that the House is committed to reform of the force.

According to the speaker, the leadership of the House will in that regard meet with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other Civil Society Organizations.

Gbajabiamila said that names of those affected will be taken and adequate provisions will be made to compensate their family members.

He said, “Protest by our constituents on SARS and police brutality has been loud and clear. The government has listened, the IGP and the President have spoken. We will hopefully get the names of those who lost their lives, and during the budget defence, we will make adequate provisions to compensate the families of those who have lost their lives.

“As part of our resolution last week, that within 30 days, we will commence reform of the police, the leadership of the House will meet with NBA and other civil society organizations.”

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.