NEWS
Happening Now: Police Helpless, As Economic Hardship Protests Takeover Lagos
In what can be described as a triumph of the peoples will and breaking into fragments, an anti-hardship protest has broken out in Lagos on Monday.
Biztellers reports that a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) had hit Abuja last week, protesting against the proposed anti-hardship protest the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had scheduled for the last two days of February 2024.
In a similar manner, Benin City, the Edo State capital had witnessed anti-hardship protests, while National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had urged the NLC to pay priority attention to national development, instead of protesting.
This discordant tunes coming out from the civil society and organised labour segments of the Nigerian society almost epitomise the high tempo-political campaigns that precede elections.
What make the situation more intriguing is that in Lagos State, the Police had warned against anti-hardship protests but a group, “Take It Back Movement” (TIB), would have none of that.
The protest, Biztellers reports was to draw attention to the soaring prices of food and the high cost of living in Nigeria.
Residents of Lagos are also worried about the cost of intra-city transportation.
Recall that the Commissioner, Lagos State Police Command, Adegoke Fayoade, on Sunday, cautioned against any form of protest in the state.
He was probably acting of information at his disposal.
According to Fayoade, the police were aware of the plan by some people to protest in the state and would put necessary measures put in place for the safety of the lives and property of Lagosians.
The Police Commissioner assured that nothing would hinder the free flow of traffic or a peaceful environment to let residents carry out their lawful duties.
However, determined not to be held down by the Police authorities, the protesters were seen carrying placards of various inscriptions at the Ojuelegba area of Lagos.
It was gathered that they had matched from Yaba to Maryland and would be joining the planned national protests by the organised labour.
National Coordinator, TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, explained that the protest was a demonstration of the people’s will against oppressive tendencies and hardship.
In his words, “Yes, despite police attempts to frustrate the people, Lagosians stood their ground. The police are paid with taxpayers’ money. They are meant to secure us.
“We were able to match from Yaba Labour House to Maryland. The protest will continue tomorrow and updates will be given.
“We will join (the) NLC in their nationwide mass action to put an end to this hardship created by the ruling elite.”
On their demands, Sanyaolu said, “The Tinubu-led government must immediately reverse the fuel subsidy removal, the floating of naira and other policies of the International Monetary Fund imposed on Nigerians.”
Some other members of the CSOs, like the Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Coalition for Revolution (CR) were noticed among the protesters.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and a detachment of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) were also seen monitoring the protests.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has taken legal steps against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and incitement.
Bello, through his lawyer N.A. Abubakar, on Wednesday petitioned the Inspector General of Police, urging the force to invite the senator to present evidence backing the allegations she made against him at a recent event.
READ MORE: Drop Akpabio’s Petition, Probe Threats Against My Life – Senator Natasha To IGP
The former governor insists that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of being involved in an assassination plot during her homecoming ceremony on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The petition described her statements as both “malicious” and harmful, urging the police to prosecute her if she fails to justify her claims.
“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance, and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” Bello’s lawyer wrote in the petition.
In addition to involving the police, Bello has also sent a personal demand letter to the senator via another lawyer, R.O. Balogun, asking her to issue a retraction and a public apology or risk facing legal consequences.
Bello’s legal team argues that her allegations violate Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot (with an attempt to disguise the killing as mob or ethnic violence), Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has:
“Gravely damaged our client’s reputation by portraying him as a violent and vengeful political actor and misled the public and tried to incite ethnic and political distrust, especially among clans of Ebiraland in particular and the people of Kogi Central in general.
“Brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety; and abused her parliamentary status and platform by propagating such falsehoods without evidence, in a very public and politically charged setting,” the solicitor noted.
The Rivers State Government has debunked reports making the rounds on social media, which alleged that the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), had summoned suspended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, to a meeting scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the administration described the report as entirely false and intended to mislead the public.
The government warned against the spread of fake news, which it said was a calculated attempt to create panic and destabilize the state.
READ ALSO: “I Have No Connection To Militants’ – Fubara
The statement, signed by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), condemned the social media posts, which it labeled as malicious and fraudulent.
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement noted.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.”
One of the false messages specifically claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been invited to Government House to answer questions regarding appointments and other matters of state.
Reacting to this, the state government firmly dismissed the announcement as fake and emphasized that no such directive was ever issued.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.
The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilize the state.”
The government further urged citizens to remain cautious and seek information only through verified platforms, highlighting the state’s official website — www.riversstate.gov.ng — as a reliable source for accurate updates.
Following the deadly attack on Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the killings.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday evening, saw suspected armed herders invade the community, unleashing violence that left at least eleven people dead.
Several houses were set ablaze during the onslaught, forcing many residents to flee to nearby villages.
READ ALSO: No Safety Guarantee For Unscheduled Visitors To Benue – Gov Alia
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Governor Alia described the attack as “condemnable” and assured the public that security agencies were working to track down everyone involved.
He also disclosed that three suspected herdsmen had been apprehended in connection with the incident.
“The National Security Advisor has promised to deploy more security operatives to the state following the current wave of attacks in the state, particularly, the incessant attacks on Otukpo,” Alia said.
He further appealed to security personnel to intensify efforts in ensuring the perpetrators are brought to book.
Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Otukpo constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, confirmed the attack and shared that the assailants stormed the community around 5:30 pm on Tuesday.
Angbo noted that nine bodies were recovered on the night of the attack, while two more were discovered on Wednesday morning.
He also added that several survivors who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical attention in Otukpo.
Meanwhile, security operatives have reportedly been deployed to the area as authorities intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Defamation Battle: Yahaya Bello Demands Arrest Of Senator Natasha
Son Heung-min To Miss Spurs’ Europa League Decider Against Frankfurt
‘No Such Meeting’ — Rivers Sole Administrator Denies Summoning Fubara, Deputy
Otukpo Killings: Gov Alia Confirms Arrests, Calls For More Security Deployment
Gabonese Striker, Aaron Boupendza Dies After Tragic Fall In China
