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#EndSWAT: Nigerian Protesters Reject IGP’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Call For Complete Police Reform

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Nigerian protesters have rejected the newly set up Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team by the Inspector General of the Police, Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday.

The protesters who have walked major cities across the country, calling for an end to police brutality, harassments, killings, and extortions say the newly formed SWAT is no different from the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Taking to social media, the protesters who have blocked off major roads especially in the commercial city of Lagos say they want a wholesale reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

A Twitter user, Joel urged the youths to stand firm against SWAT. “If we stand in unity to fight against our common enemy, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let us take away ethnicity, let us take away religious belief, let us all come out as one. We are unbreakable, we are unstoppable and we shall achieve #EndSWAT,” he wrote.

Ajibola reckons that the move of the IGP was designed to end the protest but not end the brutality. “Same people, different name. We don’t want SWAT. #EndSWAT now,” he tweeted.

Demagogue Ph.D. said the demands of the protesters are clear. “We are clear with our demand. Disband SARS and never allow them back into the force. SWAT is a good idea, but it turns sour when you know that the recruits are the same murderous men of now-disbanded SARS. We have sane able-bodied men who can do the job. For this I join #EndSWAT,” he said.

Boaz Abigail urged Nigerian leaders to be more accountable to the citizens. “Enough of the police brutality and bad governance. We are all we have and should be allowed the right to defend what we stand for. Is it too much to ask that our leaders be responsible and accountable to the people whose taxes pay their salaries? Woman shrugging #EndSWAT,” she said.

The protesters have vowed to continue on Wednesday as they seek more reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.

On Tuesday, the IG of Police had in a statement signed by Frank Mba, the police spokesperson noted that the SWAT team will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS.

He said, “Prospective members of this new team will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

“They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week.

“While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State, and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

“While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, the IGP enjoins members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry,” the statement said.

See more tweets from Nigerians below:

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>You can’t make bitter-Kola sweet by changing its name to honey overnight, and you can’t change FSARS to angels by changing their name to SWAT overnight. After Saul repented, he went to the Arabian desert for 3 years<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SARSMUSTGO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#SARSMUSTGO</a><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SARSMUSTEND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#SARSMUSTEND</a><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria</a></p>&mdash; Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) <a href=”https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1316270655176765440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>See what NYSC sent to their corp members. Disgraceful 🤦🏾‍♂️ <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENDSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ENDSARS</a> <a href=”https://t.co/D5hZiNLCbW”>pic.twitter.com/D5hZiNLCbW</a></p>&mdash; FEMI (@BrodaFemo) <a href=”https://twitter.com/BrodaFemo/status/1316274022401880064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Notice how we are also demanding for a better pay for the Nigerian police in our agitation? <br><br>Yet those unfortunate illiterate bastards will shoot and kill us without a second thought if given the order. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENDSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ENDSWAT</a></p>&mdash; Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MrOdanz/status/1316269311225483266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>They&#39;ve brought Sega to sprinkle a little bit of confusion and disarray inside our movement. The devil works but we work harder! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENDSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ENDSWAT</a></p>&mdash; PEGASUS🌍 (@LifeofPegasus) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LifeofPegasus/status/1316274746175225857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>This Government know what they are doing… They want to use this power tussle to divide us and they are slowly getting it… We mustn&#39;t allow them… This is the time to focus on what we want ..🙏🏽🇳🇬✊🏽<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouthDemocraticParty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#YouthDemocraticParty</a> <a href=”https://t.co/s6dmNHrqdH”>pic.twitter.com/s6dmNHrqdH</a></p>&mdash; A Romantic Letter To You ✒️😍💝 (@ink_seun) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ink_seun/status/1316275105530552320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>How can Debola Williams represent us in a meeting during the ongoing protest? Where was he when we all started this online. Youth don suffer!! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a></p>&mdash; Esv. Adesewa✨ (@DuchessT_) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DuchessT_/status/1316275373714354176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Normally I’d be pissed being in this traffic but right now, I’m joyfully chilling in this car. We reach office when we reach office. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a></p>&mdash; Elsie Godwin (@ELSiEiSY) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ELSiEiSY/status/1316276494386200576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>When we are done with this police nonsense, we are coming for everything else.<br><br>All the youths scrambling for power now, take note. No try us.<br><br>You be our mate, so there will be no talk of respect your elders.<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a> <a href=”https://t.co/DtIIt3UxFg”>pic.twitter.com/DtIIt3UxFg</a></p>&mdash; Ijeoma (@Ijeoma551) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Ijeoma551/status/1316276157592088576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Please guys, read this, <br>We must maintain a peaceful protest , if you must fight, use your voice, our voice is the strongest weapon we can use <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouthDemocraticParty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#YouthDemocraticParty</a> <br>Pamilerin <a href=”https://t.co/au5qv4Tggh”>pic.twitter.com/au5qv4Tggh</a></p>&mdash; sinachi👑 ❤️ (@Nachi_sam) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Nachi_sam/status/1316275063298109440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>No Talk Anything, Just Retweet! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#SWAT</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSWAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EndSWAT</a> ✊🏾🇳🇬 <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoDeyShootUs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NoDeyShootUs</a> <a href=”https://t.co/O1HioBi2pC”>pic.twitter.com/O1HioBi2pC</a></p>&mdash; Man United in Pidgin (@ManUtdInPidgin) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ManUtdInPidgin/status/1316276399792103434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

 

BIG STORY

Lagos State Government To Concession Red And Blue Line Rails For Sustainability, Loan Repayment

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to concession the operations of the Red and Blue Line rail systems to the private sector in order to ensure their sustainability and repay loans taken for the rail projects.

This announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during a recent TVC News interview, where he discussed the measures being implemented to ensure the continued viability of the state’s rail systems.

Osiyemi explained that the concessioning process would involve transferring the operations of the rail systems to private sector players for a defined period. This approach is intended to ensure the continued operation and effective management of the rail projects.

“The ultimate game is for all our rail systems we’ve done—that is, the Red Line and Blue Line—there is going to be some concessionairing with the private sector for a period of time to ensure sustainability and continuity,” he stated.

He added, “The concessioning would help pay back the loans taken for the rail projects.”

The commissioner emphasized that the concessioning strategy aims to ensure efficient operations and long-term financial sustainability, in line with the state’s vision for a world-class transportation network.

  • More Insight

Osiyemi further highlighted the substantial financial and technical challenges involved in operating rail systems, describing them as capital-intensive projects that require significant resources and specialized expertise.

To tackle these challenges and build local capacity, he noted that the Lagos State Government has enlisted foreign partners to temporarily manage the operations of the trains.

These partners are expected to not only ensure smooth operations during their tenure but also transfer critical skills to Nigerian personnel. The plan includes a structured training program lasting one to two years, after which the management of the rail systems will be fully handed over to local operators.

“What we have done is we have consulted foreign partners who, of course, would run these trains for a particular period of time and train our people—that is, transfer of skills.”

“They will train our people for one to two years, then hand over for our own management,” Osiyemi explained.

  • Things You Should Know

The Lagos State Government, under its Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan, has set out an ambitious vision to develop a network of rail systems across the state.

Currently, only the first phases of the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems have been completed, with passenger services already in operation.

The Blue Line is a 27km electric rail line designed for sustainable operations. Its first phase, covering 13km from Lagos Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and began commercial operations in September, carrying over 2 million passengers to date.

The Red Line, spanning 37km from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, operates on diesel. Its first phase, a 27km stretch, includes eight strategically located stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.

The construction of the second phases of both the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems is being managed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which also oversees the operation of the trains.

Beyond the Red and Blue Lines, the state has plans for additional rail systems, including the 68km Green Line (Lekki Free Trade Zone to Marina), the 85.7km Purple Line (Redemption Camp to Ojo), the 48km Orange Line (Ikeja CBD to Agbowa), and the Yellow Line, all aimed at enhancing the state’s transportation network.

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Lagos Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab Condoles With Families Of Epe Accident Victims

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Condolence Message from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in our community, Epe, claiming the lives of two promising young adults, a dedicated tricycle driver, and leaving several other people injured. This heartbreaking accident has left our hearts heavy, as we mourn the loss of these young souls who were full of hope and dreams, and an industrious individual who worked tirelessly for his livelihood.

As a member of this community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this terrible loss. I can only imagine the pain you must feel, and I want you to know that you are not alone in this moment of grief.

Let us honor the memories of these individuals by advocating for safety and awareness on our roads. As we move forward, may we find comfort in community and strength in one another. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find solace and healing in the days to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Monday Okpebholo Sworn In As Edo State Governor

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Monday Okpebholo, a serving senator, has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State.

Okpebholo took his oath of office at about 1pm on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

As the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second with 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 22,763 votes.

Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as the deputy governor of Edo.

Dignitaries, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chair of the governors’ forum; Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo; and other governors from the party, were present as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

The new governor later rode in an open-top van around the stadium, acknowledging cheers from supporters.

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