NEWS
Gov Sanwo-Olu Plans Mass Burial For 103 EndSARS Victims
After several denials, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given approval for the mass burial of 103 protesters who lost their lives during the October 2020 #EndSARS mass protest against police brutality who were allegedly killed by a joint operation of the Nigerian Army and the police.
According to a letter dated July 19 and seen by the Peoples Gazette, the state government has contracted the services of Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd, a private firm, to carry out the burial. The total cost for the burial of the 103 victims has been estimated at N61,285,000.
The letter reads “Following review of your request and based on the information provided therein, the agency has “No Objection” to the award of contract to MESSRS TOS FUNERALS LIMITED at a total cost of N61,285,000 (Sixty-one million, two hundred and eighty-five thousand Naira only) for the mass burial for the 103, the year 2020 Endsars victims.”
This decision comes nearly three years after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government officials reportedly denied the brutal killings of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate on the night of October 20, 2020.
During the incident, the protesters, who were peacefully waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, were allegedly shot at by the military.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, was questioned by People’s Gazette about how this recent move reflects on the government’s past denials.
In response, he reportedly laughed and stated that the government would release its response soon.
The decision for the mass burial also follows a call by the Lagos state government for the identification of missing persons, which was largely ignored due to reports of intimidation and harassment faced by individuals who appeared before the panel of inquiry to make claims that potentially incriminated the government.
Despite the findings of the Lagos State’s judicial panel of inquiry, which described the incident at the Lekki toll gate as a massacre and ruled that the war-grade violence unleashed on peaceful protesters led to the death of numerous individuals, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu issued a white paper to affirm his denial of these findings.
However, there is substantial evidence and a series of government decisions that appear to contradict this denial.
For instance, the appointment of former Army chief Turkur Buratai as a diplomatic envoy to the Benin Republic raised suspicions that it was done to protect him from prosecution by the International Criminal Court, implying that the government was aware of the incident and the potential implications.
The judicial panel’s findings reveal alarming details about the incident at the Lekki toll gate during the #EndSARS protests.
According to the panel, the casualties of the incident were exacerbated by the Nigerian Army’s refusal to allow ambulances and medical help to reach injured protesters who were in urgent need of assistance.
Furthermore, the panel stated that the army tampered with the scene by stealing the corpses of the protesters and wiping blood stains, apparently attempting to hide evidence of their actions and obstruct the investigation.
Testifying before the panel of inquiry, Professor John Obafunwa, the Chief Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), disclosed that a total of 99 bodies were deposited in morgues across Lagos in connection with the #EndSARS protests.
Some of these bodies displayed bullet wounds, blunt trauma, and bruises, indicating the severity of the violence inflicted upon the protesters.
Notably, three of the 99 bodies were successfully traced to have originated from the Lekki toll gate, where the incident occurred.
The video investigation published by CNN, along with several other videos taken during the incident, provided further evidence confirming that the Nigerian Army and police used live bullets to shoot directly at the protesters during the tragic event at the Lekki toll gate.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and the findings of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has seemingly downplayed the incident, asking citizens to “snap out of it” and focus on rebuilding.
However, for the families who lost their loved ones in the violent event, finding closure has become a significant struggle.
The Oyo State Government has demolished a building used as a hideout by kidnappers who abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her two children.
The structure, located in the Lakoun community along the Ayegun-Olojuoro Road in Ibadan, was pulled down on Monday following the successful rescue of the victims during a security operation over the weekend.
Mrs. Olaide Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her 12-year-old twin sons were reportedly held captive in the building before they were freed by security operatives.
SEE MORE: Gunmen Abduct Ex-Minister Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons in Ibadan
Confirming the demolition, Oyo-based media platform Oyo Affairs shared a video of the exercise on X, stating, “The Oyo State Government has demolished kidnappers’ den at Lakoun, Ayegun-Olojuoro Road, Ibadan, where the sister of former Minister Adebayo Adelabu and her children were held captive.”
The demolition followed a security assessment of the site led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday.
Another local news platform, Oyo Matters, also posted photos and videos of the operation, writing, “Oyo Government Demolishes Building Used as Kidnappers’ Hideout in Adelabu Family Abduction, Levels Property to the Ground.”
The government’s action comes days after a coordinated rescue mission that led to the safe recovery of the victims and a major breakthrough in the investigation.
During the operation, two members of the kidnapping syndicate were killed in a gun battle with security personnel, while four other suspects were arrested and later paraded at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
Security authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang.
The demolition is widely seen as part of the Oyo State Government’s efforts to dismantle criminal networks, deny kidnappers safe havens, and strengthen security across the state.
The dramatic rescue and subsequent demolition have drawn widespread attention, with many residents applauding the government’s swift response to the high-profile abduction case.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the worsening insecurity across the country is not urgently addressed.
The labour unions issued the warning during a joint media briefing held on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Expressing concern over the rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in several parts of the country, the labour leaders said Nigerians can no longer continue to live in fear while carrying out their daily activities.
ALSO READ: Unstable Naira Makes ₦1m Salary Worthless — NLC
The unions warned that if the security situation continues to deteriorate without decisive government intervention, organised labour may be left with no choice but to mobilise workers for industrial action nationwide.
According to the labour leaders, the persistent attacks on communities, commuters, farmers, and workers have reached an alarming level, requiring urgent and coordinated action from all levels of government.
“Enough is enough,” the labour centres declared, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains one of the fundamental responsibilities of government.
The NLC and TUC also used the opportunity to dismiss claims by some state governors that negotiations were ongoing with workers on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage.
They insisted that such claims do not reflect the current state of discussions on workers’ welfare and cautioned against giving the public a misleading impression about ongoing engagements with organised labour.
The unions reaffirmed their commitment to defending the interests of Nigerian workers and called on the Federal Government to take immediate and effective measures to tackle insecurity across the country.
They warned that failure to halt the rising wave of violence and criminality could trigger nationwide industrial action in the coming weeks.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has cautioned Nigerians against linking criminal activities to any ethnic group, warning that such generalisations promote division and weaken national unity.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, expressing concern over what he described as a growing tendency to stereotype entire ethnic communities because of the actions of a few criminal elements.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Oborevwori, Omo-Agege Trade Fresh Blows Over Tinubu, Obi Endorsements
The former Anambra State governor said he could identify with the experiences of many Nigerians who have faced prejudice and discrimination based on their ethnic origins, stressing that people should be judged by their character rather than their tribe.
“As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment, and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins. This is not an isolated Igbo experience. Most Nigerians have, at some point, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than recognised for their true character,” Obi stated.
He noted that ethnic stereotyping is a challenge faced by people across the country and should not be encouraged under any circumstance.
Obi specifically spoke about the plight of ordinary Fulani people, saying many of them are unfairly judged and blamed for crimes committed by individuals who neither represent nor have any connection to them.
“I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he does not support, has never met, and who are not representative of his people,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the civil rights movement in the United States, Obi referenced the words of renowned civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for a society where individuals are judged by the content of their character rather than by their identity.
According to Obi, criminality is an individual act and should never be viewed as a characteristic of an entire ethnic group.
“Crime has no ethnicity. A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are bad actors, not representatives of any people,” he declared.
The former governor urged law enforcement agencies to remain focused on identifying, arresting and prosecuting criminals without attaching their actions to entire communities.
“They must be identified, arrested, and punished according to the law. We must decisively abandon the dangerous practice of blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few criminals,” Obi added.
He warned that ethnic profiling only deepens social divisions, breeds mistrust among citizens and creates opportunities for political actors to exploit differences for personal gain.
Obi further called on Nigerians to embrace the country’s diversity and focus on shared values that unite the nation rather than stereotypes that divide it.
According to him, Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and citizens must work together to build a society founded on fairness, justice and mutual respect.
“A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or birthplace,” he said.
Dangote Named Africa’s Most Admired Brand for 8th Consecutive Year
Oyo Demolishes Kidnappers’ Hideout After Dramatic Rescue of Adelabu’s Sister, Nephews
‘Enough Is Enough!’ — NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Insecurity
Mourinho Returns as Pérez Secures Landslide Victory in Real Madrid Election
Grammy-Winning Singer Talay Riley Stabbed to Death in London
‘Crime Has No Tribe’ — Obi Defends Fulani, Condemns Ethnic Profiling
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
455549 435571Aw, it was an really excellent post. In thought I would like to set up writing comparable to this in addition – taking time and actual effort to create a very great article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot and also no indicates manage to go done. 766057
716366 472508hey there i stumbled upon your internet site searching about the web. I wanted to let you know I enjoy the look of items around here. Maintain it up will bookmark for certain. 480967
445523 216857for however one more excellent informative post, Im a loyal reader to this blog and I cant stress enough how much valuable information Ive learned from reading your content material. I really appreciate all of the hard work you put into this fantastic blog. 816063
350182 748252This site is often a walk-through like the information you wanted in regards to this and didnt know who to question. Glimpse here, and you will definitely discover it. 871907