Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 21st October, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 21st October 2020

1. I Remain Committed To The Welfare Of Police Officers – Buhari

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

The President made the declaration on Tuesday during the virtual commissioning of the new Head Office Building of Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Ltd.

Buhari in a statement made available to newsmen by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, promised to continue to prioritize the welfare of the Police force.

He also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Ltd for doing so much within the few years of its existence.

The statement reads in part: “President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja applauded Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Ltd for instituting a Retirees Resettlement Support Scheme, which will provide financial support for retired police officers, assuring that the Federal Government was fully committed to improving livelihood of serving officers.”

The President, who virtually commissioned the new Head Office Building of Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Ltd, said the government was also focused on ensuring that police officers, who served the nation meritoriously, were resettled into retirement, with some financial support.”

2. #EndSARS: IGP Deploys Anti-Riot Policemen Nationwide

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered the deployment of anti-riot policemen nationwide to tackle the attacks by hoodlums and criminals hiding under the guise of the #EndSARS protest.

This information was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba.

The statement noted that the IGP’s directive is a response to the cases of increased attacks and arson on public facilities including Police stations which have been witnessed in the last few days in many cities across the country.

While emphasizing the need for the Police to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property, the IGP urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against been used to cause trouble in the society.

The statement further urged members of the public to make information available to security agents concerning developments in their area.

3. FG Confirms Number Of Prisoners That Escaped In Edo

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Tuesday confirmed that two Custodial Centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked on Monday.

The Director of Public Relations in the Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga confirmed this in a statement released on Tuesday.

Manga in his statement noted that at the last count, 1,993 inmates escaped from custody.

He further stated that the hoodlums looted the custody and took away weapons.

Manga added that the attackers came in large numbers with dangerous weapons and attacked the officers on guard duty.

4. Gbajabiamila Vows Not To Approve 2021 Budget Except…

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has vowed not to approve the 2021 Appropriation Bill presently before the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that both the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate have to sign bills passed by the National Assembly before they are transmitted to the President for assent.

In his opening remarks at the plenary on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said he won’t sign the budget if provisions are not made for the compensation of the families of victims of police brutality in the last decade.

He also stated that he would withhold is signature if the implementation of the agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government is not captured by the budget.

The Speaker noted that the expectations from the ruling class were high, stating that, “Our people expect action and we just deliver.”

He also disclosed that the House is considering the establishment of an independent body that investigates and recommends errant security operatives for sanction and prosecution.

5. Gov. Sanwo-Olu Declares 24-Hour Curfew In Lagos State

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the State starting from 4pm today 20th October 2020.

This is coming after Suspected hoodlums disguising as #EndSARS protesters on Tuesday set the Apapa Iganmu Police Station in Lagos State on fire.

The governor in a post on Twitter noted that the protest against police brutality has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well being of our society.

Sanwo-Olu in series of tweets wrote, “Dear Lagosians, I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.”

“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state.”

“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.”

“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.”

6. #EndSARS: Buhari Meets With Defence Minister, CDS

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi, and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, at the State House.

Although there was no official information confirming the agenda of the meeting, as at the time of filing this report, sources within the State House, suggested it was all in the bid to tame the escalating violence trailing the #EndSARS protests.

Naija News recalls that all forms of protests in Lagos State have been banned until further notice.

The Lagos State police command in a statement on Tuesday announced that no form of #EndSARS protest will be allowed in the state due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers.

The statement reinstated that the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm of today 20th October, 2020 is in full force.

7. #EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Opens Up On Shootings At Lekki Toll Gate

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has broken his silence on the shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters by security operatives at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday.

The Governor in a statement issued on his behalf by Gbenga Omotoso, the state commissioner for information and strategy, said his administration didn’t authorize the shooting of protesters, adding that he had earlier told security operatives not to arrest anyone.

He also ordered an investigation into the shooting of innocent #EndSARS protesters which occurred on Tuesday at the popular Lekki toll gate plaza in the state.

“The State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident,” the statement read in part.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.”

He promised to do all within his power to address the situation.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also appealed to the people and residents of the state to remain calm and not allow hoodlums to totally hijack their protest demanding for better governance in Nigeria.

He urged them in the statement not to allow “criminals, who had hijacked the noble protest of gallant youths, to succeed in their evil plan of turning the state upside down”.

8. #ENDSARS: Lagos Lost N700BN In 12 Days – LCCI

At least N700 billion has been lost in Lagos state in 12 days, due to the ongoing #EndSARS protests, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said.

According to LCCI president, Toki Mabogunje said the protests have crippled economic activities in the country.

In a statement released by the body, the situation is due to disruptions, blockades and barricades around major cities and interstate highways.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is concerned about the negative impact that the protracted nature of the EndSars protests has on business activities across the country,” she said

She complained that the economy hasn’t recovered from the devastating effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic.

She said urban areas particularly has been affected in the past 12 days.

“The Nigerian economy has suffered an estimated N700 billion loss in the past 12 days.”

She commended the youth on the significant progress made in achieving good governance, adding that it was necessary to move to dialogue as the next stage of civic engagement to avoid a “complete breakdown of law and order.”

“The protest has achieved some significant outcomes given the reawakening that it has generated in reforming the shortcomings in our political governance and the fact that some of the demands of the protesters have been met,” Mabogunje said.

She said dialogue is needed in order to avoid a situation where even more hardship is inflicted on the very citizens that the protesters are seeking to protect.

The LCCI president went on to plead with President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the leadership of the protests in order to specify action plans in achieving the agreed demands.

9. #EndSARS: Address Nigerians Now – Senate Tells Buhari

The Nigeria Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately address Nigerians on the ongoing #EndSARS protest rocking most parts of the country.

The Senate gave the directive during its plenary on Tuesday.

The lawmakers also ordered the Nigeria police to protect all #EndSARS protesters to prevent hoodlums from hijacking their genuine action.

While urging #EndSARS protesters to halt their march to enable the federal government meet their demands, the Senate asks President Buhari to set up a judicial panel of inquiry made up of eminent Nigerians that would be respected by the youths to identify the notorious SARS operatives and ensure their arrest and prosecution.

Recall that the Senate had earlier gone into an emergency closed-door session over what is believed to be related to the ongoing #EndSARS protests across the country.

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday, as soon as the lawmakers settled down for plenary, called for an emergency session, prompting the legislators to go into a closed-door session.

10. #EndSARS: This Is Just Half Time, We’ll Be Back After The Curfew – Falz Tells Govt

Multi-talented Nigerian entertainer, Falz has told the government that the #EndSARS protests won’t stop until all their demands have been met.

He, however, appealed to all the protesters to stay at home and respect the curfew declared by the Lagos State government on Tuesday.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, earlier on Tuesday, declared a 24-hour curfew in the State starting from 4pm, 20th October 2020.

The governor lamented that the #EndSARS protest against police brutality has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well being of the society, adding that he has watched with shock how what began as a peaceful protest has degenerated with criminals and miscreants now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on Lagos state.

Reacting to the government declaration, Falz in a statement on his Twitter handle, accompanied with a video post, agreed with the government that it was better to respect the curfew than for more protesters to lose their lives.

He, however, argued that the original protesters have remained peaceful and accused the government of introducing the criminal elements into the protest to discredit the calls by the protesters.

He said Nigerian leaders are exhibiting signs of a failed government but they will continue to make their demands known until the government responds.

Falz added that the protests will continue once the curfew is lifted.

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