IGP DISBANDS SARS, OTHERS AGAINST PUBLIC OUTCRY

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. M.A Adamu, has ordered the immediate ban of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad and other Tactical Squads.

A statement issued by the Federal Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, dated 4th October 2020, with Ref No.CZ5300/FPRD/FHC/ABJ/Vol.3/25, indicates that the Special Tactical Squad(STS), Intelligence Response Team(IRT) and the Anti Cultism Squad at the Federal, Zonal and State Commands were among those on the ban list.

They were stopped from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties, stop and search duties, mounting of checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks etc.

According to the statement, no personnel is authorised to embark on patrols and tactical assignments in mufti, adding that they must always appear in the Police uniforms and other tactical gear.

The Inspector General of Police’s directives comes against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under the guise to perpetrate all forms of illegalities contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP), Code of Conduct establishing the aquads.

The IGP warned against the invasion of privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices, emphasizing that they should concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

While condemning every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-headedness by some personnel of the squad, the IGP ordered the X-Squad and the monitoring unit to embark on immediate monitoring of activities of the Tactical Squads an other Police Officers on the road.

The statement also emphasized prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of errant officers who violates the directives and the extant regulations of the Force.

The IGP equally warned that henceforth, the Commissioners of Police in charge of FSARS, State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal AIGs will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility(AOR).

Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and a civilian have been arrested in Lagos State for alleged extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

The suspects are; Inspectors Sale James, Monday Uchiola and a civilian, Okechukwu Ogbonna.

The vehicle allegedly used for their operations was impounded while, disciplinary procedure has been taken against them.

NLC, TUC SUSPENDS PLANNED STRIKE ACTION

Leadership of the organized labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has suspended the nationwide planned strike action slated for Monday 28th September 2020.

The Suspension was sequel to agreements reached with the federal government, last night after a meeting which lasted for about six hours at the Ao Rock Villa.

Some terms of the agreement includes; setting up of a technical committee to look into the new electricity tarriff regime and metering as well as reversal of the new electricity tarriff for a period of two weeks, pending the outcome of the technical committee.

Issuing a communique read by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Labour Union and the federal government also agreed to set up the petroleum downstream committee with a view to reduction on importation by fixing the existing refineries.

It was also agreed that the federal government will in two weeks time, unveil a specific amount from the economy to be isolated from the economic sustainability programme intervention fund to be assessed by Nigerian workers, as well as removal of tax on minimum wage to cushion the effects of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.

The federal government is to immediately, make available to the organized labour, 133 CNG/LPG mass transit buses across the nation’s major cities on a scale up basis subsequently to the various states and Local Government Areas before the end of 2021.

It was further agreed by the parties that 10 percent will be allocated to the Nigerian workers under the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance Initiative through the NLC and the TUC.

EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL OPENS

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has open its secretariat to receive Petitions in Benin City.

Secretary of the Tribunal, Mr. Sunday Martins who disclosed this in Benin City said the Tribunal’s secretariat located at the High Court complex along Sapele road, Benin City, is open to receive Petitions arising from the September 19, 2020 Edo Governorship election.

A statement issued by the secretary disclosed that the Tribunal’s secretariat was constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Dongban Mensem.

The statement adds that the Tribunal’s Panel has also been inaugurated by the President of the Court of Appeal to hear petitions filed.

OBA OF BENIN CONGRATULATES OBASEKI

The Benin Traditional Council, on behalf of the Oba of Benin, HRM Oba Ewuarell has congratulated Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on his re-election for a second term in office as Governor of the state.

A message issued by the Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, mr. Frank Irabor, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that the Edo election was free, fair and violent free.

The statement recalled that as the Oba said on numerous occasions, the Benin Throne is non-partisan and that on the election day, the people should speak because the voice of the people is the voice of God

The Palace also commended the candidates of the various political parties in the election for adhering to the Palace’s advice for a violent free election which has been widely acclaimed to doused the tension that was building up before the election.

While appreciating the National Peace Commission headed by Retd. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, for the signing of the peace accord amongst the gubernatorial candidates, the Palace also commended the security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission for a successful and peaceful election in Edo State.

EDO APC CONGRATULATES OBASEKI, SHAIBU

Leadership of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, led by Barr. Anselm Ojezua has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu on their victory at the just concluded September 19 Governorship election.

The message described the election as been generally acclaimed to be peaceful, orderly and transparent as the people of Edo State have made their choice in a very clear and unambiguous manner.

Barr. Ojezua stated that their loss at the poll stem from the needles and avoidable crisis foisted on the party by a selfish, insensitive, arrogant and irresponsible leadership.

The state APC Chairman disclosed that steps are being taken to try and salvage the well-being of of the party in the state and called upon the Governor to be magnanimous in victory.

He, however, urged all those who contested to sheat their swords and put the election behind them and close ranks with Government to ensure a seamless transition to the final lap of governance in the state without being subjected to any further needles distraction and rancour.

OBASEKI, SHAIBU RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF RETURN

The national Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in charge of Edo, Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. May Agbmuche-Mbu, has t Philip SHAIBU.

Making the presentation, Mrs. Agbmuche-Mbu commended the security agencies and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring free fair and credible governorship election in Edo State.

The state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Akpofure Rem-Rukeh, had on Sunday 20th September declared Governor Godwin Obaseki, of the PDP, winner of the September 19 election, having polled a total of three hundred and seven thousand, nine hundred and fifty five (307,955) votes cast at the election to defeat his closet rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the APC, WHO scored a total of two hundred and twenty three thousand, six hundred and nineteen (223,619) votes at the election.

APC CONGRATULATES GOV. OBASEKI ON HIS RE-ELECTION

Chairman, APC national caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni, has congratulated Godwin Obaseki on his re-election as Governor of Edo State.

The APC national caretaker committee chairman, in a statement on Channels Television, said the peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represents a victory for democracy.

He said the party and President Muhammadu Buhari remain committed to free and fair elections to strengthen the foundation of the country’s political and moral authority.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the election.

While congratulating the people of Edo State and all Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of the election, Mai Mala Buni said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, mr. Godwin Obaseki has been declared winner of the election.

He said the APC as a governing party will take every step necessary to support the Federal Government to consolidate all the gains achieved.