society
#ENDSARS Protest Mayhem and The Nigeria Police By Nelson Ekujumi
Days after the #EndSars protest which started as a campaign against the alleged brutality and abuse of citizens rights by the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police force turned bloody resulting in orchestrated arson attacks, reckless attacks and killings of persons both civilians and security agents, burning and looting of public and private properties across the country, there is an uneasy calm as grief, despondency and anger still reign in the air.
While the injured and those who have lost their loved ones and private properties count their losses, bear and nurse the immeasurable pain and trauma, the government and the citizenry are yet to come to terms with the level of destruction and sacrilege committed in the guise of a supposed peaceful protest.
Today as we write, as an aftermath of the #endsars protest, businesses have been closed down and life brought to a halt for some, commuters are bearing the pains of the destruction and disruption of public transportation system occasioned by the burning of public mass transit buses by agents of darkness, same way as the motoring public come to terms with agonizing traffic gridlock brought about by the absence of official traffic management agencies on the roads. Citizens have become very apprehensive about security due to lack of visible presence of security agents unlike in the past when even if we don’t see them physically, but psychologically, we can feel their presence through patrols on motor bikes and vehicles, checkpoints and police stations.
Presently, the morale of our security agencies due to the #endsars protests are at the lowest ebb due to the burning of police stations, killing of security agents and carting away arms and ammunition by criminals masquerading as protesters while the society that is supposed to rally round them in defense, either by complicity or fear, looks the other way and applaud.
Whether we like it or not, our security agencies mirror us as a people, whatever has become of our security agencies is a true picture of whom we are. For instance, at traffic intersections across the world, including our small neighbors like Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana, etc, the motoring public complies almost absolutely to traffic regulations controlled by traffic lights and signs even as human traffic agents are just on standby, but not in Nigeria, where the traffic lights and signs have no meaning, where the traffic official has to arm himself with a symbol of force such as a rifle, baton or improvised stick or cudgel just to enforce compliance on our roads, that is how bad our situation is.
All over the world, the police is your friend, but in Nigeria due to a number of factors of which we are all culpable, reverse is the case. Yet, we blame the police and look down on them as if they are a special specie of humans from mars who are the architect of our problems, but is that so? Absolutely not.
As we count our loses aftermath of the #endsars protest and trying to come to terms with the psychological trauma and damage to the psyche of the Nigerian people and the police in particular in this period of national call for the reform of the police as an institution, there is the urgent need for us to put on our thinking caps and proffer workable solution so that we don’t go back to our vomit.
One of the ways to reform our policing institution in this trying times even as the various states panels on inquiry is sitting, is for the Community Development Associations (CDA) at our various communities, to physically visit the destroyed and burnt police stations to commiserate with the officers and men and also try to physically visit families of injured and slain police officers in the line of duty to share in their pain and grief.
We should in the interim at the various communities where police stations have been burnt, officers and men attacked, assure the men and officers that we condemn this dastardly act of violence against them and will never support such, no matter the circumstances.
Communities who are desirous of lifting the demoralized morale of the police, should immediately improvised a habitat, for burnt police stations as a show of solidarity and support pending when the government will rebuild the destroyed buildings.
As the Inspector General of Police (IGP) embarks on a morale boosting visiting tour of police formations across the country, we must also realize that the reform of the police is a collective exercise that must see us walking the talk and it must begin from now.
The police as an institution charged with the responsibility of protecting life and property as well as maintaining law and order no matter it’s imperfections, is one agency of state that no society can do without else such a society will degenerate into the Hobbesian state of nature. That is the plan of the criminals who unleashed violence on the police and our society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their plan fails and it should.
Alleged Manipulation of Defilement Case Sparks Call for Review of Legal Advice in Lagos
By Ifeoma Ikem
A legal controversy has emerged in Lagos following a petition seeking a review of a legal advice issued in a case involving two female teachers accused of negligence in a child injury incident at a nursery school in Ikorodu.
The petition, submitted by Crown Cannan Attorneys, urges the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to reconsider the legal advice issued on September 16, 2022, in the case titled Commissioner of Police vs. Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba and Rukayat Lawal.
Addressed to the former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the application argues that the legal advice may have been influenced by what the petition describes as a “deliberate manipulation of facts.”
According to counsel representing the defendants, the allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on October 26, 2021, at Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School located in the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The defendants, Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, 26, and Rukayat Lawal, 24, were reportedly the class teacher and assistant class teacher respectively in charge of a Nursery One class where the incident occurred.
Court documents indicate that a three-year-old pupil, identified as Victim A, was reportedly injured after another pupil allegedly pierced a pencil into her private part during school hours.
The prosecution claims the incident occurred due to the failure of the teachers to exercise adequate care and supervision over the children under their custody.
Based on this allegation, the two educators were charged with negligence under Section 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which addresses acts that may cause harm through lack of proper care.
The defendants were subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Court No. 2 in Ikeja on April 19, 2022, where they faced a one-count charge relating to the incident.
During the investigation conducted at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, several civil society groups reportedly monitored the proceedings.
Among them were representatives of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and other non-governmental organizations.
These groups reportedly raised concerns about what they described as a growing tendency to weaponise allegations of child abuse in ways that could unfairly damage reputations and careers.
In its petition, the defence team argued that the case deserves a fresh review to ensure that justice is served based on verified facts rather than assumptions or public pressure.
They urged the Ministry of Justice to carefully reassess the legal advice and the circumstances surrounding the investigation to determine whether the prosecution should proceed as currently framed.
Legal observers say the outcome of the requested review could determine the next stage of the case and may also highlight broader concerns about investigative procedures and child protection cases within the justice system.
Reacting to a viral social media post by Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, who claimed she might be jailed for defilement, the head teacher of Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Edaolaropin Toyin, provided the school’s account of events.
According to her, the pupil identified as Victim A was enrolled in the Nursery One class on September 20, 2021, which had about 15 pupils.
She explained that on October 26, 2021, the pupil was transported home on the school bus after closing hours and handed over to her father around 4:30 p.m.
“Later that night, the pupil’s mother allegedly contacted the head teacher, claiming her daughter cried while bathing and alleged that a male classmate, Victim B, had inserted a pencil into her private part during school hours,” she said.
The school, however, rejected the allegation, maintaining that no such incident occurred while the child was in its custody.
“The following morning, the teacher visited the pupil’s home, where the father reportedly denied the mother’s account of the incident,” Toyin added.
She said the situation escalated later that day when the child’s parents arrived at the school with police officers from Imota Police Station demanding that the alleged male classmate be produced.
The head teacher further stated that the school management had supported Tobiloba throughout the legal process.
“Since the incident happened, the school management has never stopped supporting Tobiloba’s welfare until last year when she sent a WhatsApp message saying she was no longer interested in the court matter, claiming she had relocated to Ibadan,” she said.
She described the claims currently circulating on social media as “defamatory narratives.”
*GEN CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE MOURNS FALLEN HEROES AND URGES UNITY IN SECURITY SUPPORT
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Grand Patron of the Initiative, and the families of the fallen heroes who courageously lost their lives in a recent attack by ISWAP in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Dalori in Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Among the tragic losses were three senior military commanders: Major U.I. Mairiga, Lt-Col Umar Faruq, and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation.
The GCGMSI implores the public to continue supporting our security agencies, emphasizing that the safety and security of our nation is a collective responsibility. Every day, our security forces pay the ultimate price to safeguard our country. We urge the public to remain supportive, pray for their success, and refrain from politicizing the security challenges we face.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, which has been made available to the press. The statement highlights the initiative’s profound concern for the losses sustained by our security personnel and reflects on the broader security situation in Nigeria.
In his unwavering commitment to addressing the insecurity plaguing our nation, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, has consistently engaged in urgent meetings with service chiefs, reinforcing strategic plans to combat threats and enhance national security. His leadership and decisive actions demonstrate a dedication to restoring peace and stability across our regions, ensuring a safer environment for all Nigerians.
society
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
In these challenging times, it is essential for all Nigerians to rally behind our leaders, particularly His Excellency Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the Minister of Defence. The security of our nation is not a matter to be taken lightly or politicized. Gen. Musa, recognized for his unwavering dedication and sacrifice, has served our country commendably throughout his life.
Following the recent reshuffle of service chiefs by President Asiwaju Bola Ahamed Tinubu GCFR, which resulted in Gen. Musa’s retirement as Chief of Defence Staff, many voiced their concerns. Yet, upon his appointment as Minister of Defence, there was a renewed sense of hope among the populace. Gen. Musa has embraced his role with an unwavering commitment, often sacrificing his rest to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.
While it is undeniable that Nigeria faces security challenges, we must approach these issues with unity rather than division. It is crucial to recognize that those who politicize our national security are often those who have not contributed positively to the success of our security agencies. Instead of spreading negativity, we should support Gen. Musa in his mission to restore peace and stability.
To achieve our collective goal of a secure Nigeria, we must provide Gen. Musa with the trust he deserves. His vision and determination, paired with our support and prayers, can pave the way to overcoming the challenges we face. It’s time for every Nigerian to put aside political differences and work together for the common good. Let us have faith in our leaders and trust in Gen. Musa’s ability to steer our nation towards safety and security.
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