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#FreeNnamdiKanu: Police defend use of teargas, say it’s to protect critical infrastructure

Police authorities have defended the use of teargas on people who gathered for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest around a major route in Abuja on Monday, arguing that the action was to prevent damage to critical infrastructure in the heart of the nation’s capital.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Monday, said the move was in line with a court order which restricted the protesters from converging around Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.

‘You see, FCT is very big. You can protest anywhere and your voices will still be heard, it will still be reported by the press’, he said.

‘These are critical infrastructure that needs to be protected and don’t forget that these are places that protests have happened in the past and things were destroyed. We have records of that. So, it is our duty as an agency to protect lives and properties; to ensure law and order.

‘So, whatever step – all lawful steps – we need to take to achieve that mandate is what we’ll take and that was what we did’.

Protesters had on Monday converged near Transcorp Hilton and other areas in the Federal Capital Territory for the demonstrations.

But police operatives and other security personnel had arrived early and fire tear gas to disperse the protesters. Security agents were stationed along major routes leading to Aso Rock while there was heavy presence of officers at Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and the Three Arms Zone.

Access roads to the Federal Secretariat and the Three Arms Zone were also barricaded.

On Sunday, the police had warned the protesters to comply with a court order restricting demonstrations in designated high-security areas of the capital.

But the leader of the protest, Omoyele Sowore, told Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that the organisers had informed the police about the protest in advance.

Sowore, an activist, alleged that some protesters ‘were arrested and bystanders were forced into police vehicles’.

‘There were about 10 trucks that arrived at the same time we began the protest. There was no provocation on our part. As we had promised, it was an orderly and peaceful protest. It was an unprovoked attack from the police and a combined team of security operatives’, he said.

‘We had just started the protest in front of the Transcorp Hotel when a huge contingent of police, army and civil defence officers showed up. We told them we were not their enemies and that the protest was not against them.

‘But suddenly, from nowhere, they began shooting at us,tear gas and even some live bullets. Luckily, I don’t think anyone was hit by live ammunition, but they were shooting all around us.

‘Eventually, they arrested some people. I heard that Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother was arrested and beaten, and so was his lawyer. They have been taken to the FCT Command’, the activist explained.

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPoB), was first arrested in 2015. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria following the invasion of his home in Abia State.

In 2021, the IPOB leader was brought back to the country for the continuation of his trial. He is facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.

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Unijos confirms murder of student by colleague

The Management of the University of Jos, has confirmed the murder of Peter Mafuyai, a 300-level student of the department Banking and Finance of the institution by his friend and fellow student.

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Dr Rejoice Songden, the Registrar of the university confirmed the incident in a condolence message on Monday in Jos.

‎Songden, who condemned the incident, however, clarified that the incident occured outside the school premises.

‎“The Management of the University of Jos has received with deep sadness the report of the unfortunate incident involving two students, which tragically resulted in the death of a 300-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance.

‎‎“The deceased was allegedly murdered by his friend, Nanpon Timnan, a 200-level student of the Department of Agricultural Science.

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“On behalf of the council, management, staff and students, we express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues of the deceased and pray for God’s comfort and strength to bear the painful loss.

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“The Management, however, wishes to clarify that the incident occurred off campus, not within the university premises as erroneously reported by some media outlets,”she said.

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The registrar explained that the university had concluded for 2024/2025 academic session since Aug. 30.

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‎“Therefore, students were not in session at the time of the incident; they are expected back on campus for the 2025/2026 academic session on Nov. 10.

‎“We deeply regret this tragic development and assure parents, guardians, students, staff and the general public that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard lives and property within the university vicinity,”she said.

‎‎Songden said that the university is fully cooperating with the security agencies to ensure speedy investigation into the matter and ensure justice is served.(NAN)

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Wike arrives Dubai for 2025 Asia Pacific cities summit and Mayors’ forum

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, arrived in Dubai, UAE, for the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (2025APCS) in Dubai this week.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Monday.

Wike was received by the Consul General of l.k.lthe Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai, Amb. Zayyanu Ibrahim as well as officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration who had arrived earlier.

Wike will on Tuesday, lead a discussion panel in which he would field questions on the FCT, and also interact with Mayors of other capital cities during the summit.

NAN reports that the 2025APCS is expected to deliver long-term value for cities and businesses seeking trade and investment opportunities in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and beyond.

The event, which is an initiative of Brisbane City Council, Australia, is one of the most diverse convenings of mayors, city leaders, business executives and young professionals worldwide.

NAN reports that the 2025APCS theme is Collaborate, Inspire, Transform.

The sub-themes for the summit include “Centres of Connection,” which focuses on the role of transportation networks, and other topics related to fostering sustainable urban development and enhancing quality of life. (NAN)

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Okpebholo vows to sack incompetent contractors

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has vowed to sack incompetent contractors because no contractor paid any bribe to anyone to secure a project under his watch.

This is contained in a statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor in Benin.

According to Itua , the governor said this when the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Edo visited him at Government House, Benin.

Okpebholo said, “My mission is clear; to serve the Edo people selflessly and to transform their lives through meaningful development.

“We will not tolerate mediocrity. Any contractor, who fails to meet project specifications will be shown the way out.

“Edo resources are for the people, not for compromise or favoritism,” he said

According to Okpebholo, this administration remains firmly committed to transparency, service, and inclusive governance.

He emphasized that any contractor who fails to meet project specifications will be shown the way out.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption, stating that no contractor or political actor had influenced his decisions.

He reiterated that members of his administration would not be spared if they were involved in any corrupt activity.

Okpebholo called on IPAC to remain partners in progress, emphasizing that the time for partisan politics was over and governance must now take the centre stage.

According to him, the people must unite and work towards building a state that all can be proud of.

The IPAC delegation, led by the Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Greg Igbinomwanhia, lauded the governor for embarking on legacy projects, including the Ramat Park Flyover.

Igbinomwanhia commended him for regularising the appointments of over 5,000 teachers who were previously on contract.

The delegation expressed their readiness to collaborate with the administration, noting that they were convinced of the governor’s sincerity and commitment to the welfare of the Edo people.

The IPAC delegation comprised chairmen of 17 political parties in Edo.(NAN)