6 Notable Happenings In Nigeria This Week
- #EndSars Trending On Social Media
- Schools To Remain Closed and WASSCE canceled
- UN Helicopter Shot By Boko Haram Terrorist Group
- EFCC Boss Arrested on Corruption Charges
- Seven Hundred And Nine Dead From Covid-19
- Nigerian Soldiers Ambushed by The Boko Haram Terrorist Group
Here are some notable happenings in Nigeria this week. The week has been an interesting one and you can tell by how diverse the topics are. From police brutality, and Covid-19 deaths to a terrorist attack. Fasten your seat belts, we are jumping right in!👇
#EndSars Trending On Social Media
The Special Anti-robbery Squad in Nigeria has been the focus of heavy criticism on the subject of police brutality and extortion. Yesterday, the hashtag #EndSARS was trending on social media. On Twitter, it garnered thousands of tweets.
Nigerians who have been assaulted by these law enforcement officers came out to tell their stories. Amnesty International also took the mantle by tweeting about some of the horrid actions of SARS. Here are some of those tweets.
According to Amnesty International, “#SARS are notorious for callous ill-treatment of Nigerians, subjecting suspects to; horrific torture methods, including hanging, starvation, beatings, shootings and mock executions.
Amnesty International wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on three occasions between November 2018 and August 2019, asking for steps the police took to investigate the allegations against SARS Awkuzu, but received no response.
Lawyers in Anambra state told Amnesty International that they are not allowed to see their clients in SARS and that in some cases SARS officers direct family members to specific lawyers who will negotiate a bribe on their behalf.
Victims who reported violations by SARS are asked to fund the investigation by providing money for travel and accommodation costs during the investigation. In many cases, police demand for a percentage of the money recovered from SARS officers who were accused of extortion.”
Image Source: Twitter.com
Schools To Remain Closed and WASSCE canceled
The federal government has reversed its earlier decision to reopen schools.
It has also withdrawn students of Unity Schools from the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) scheduled for August 5 and September 5.
The examination was initially postponed indefinitely to check the spread of COVID-19.
But Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, had announced on Monday that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has fixed the commencement of the examination for August 5.
Speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the virtual federal executive council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, Adamu Adamu, minister of education, said schools under the control of the federal government will not participate in the examination.
He also appealed to state governments who have agreed to reopen schools to reconsider the action due to the COVID-19 situation.
“I appeal to state governments that have announced schools’ resumption to reconsider it. I think it’s not safe. Let’s protect our children,” he said.
Adamu also appealed to WAEC to reschedule the examination because of the pandemic.
Nigeria had confirmed a total of 29,879 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday evening.
Source: The Cable
Image Source: Twitter.com
UN Helicopter Shot By Boko Haram Terrorist Group
Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a United Nations aid helicopter in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The terrorists, according to the UN, launched the attack on Thursday in Damasak, Borno State, killing two civilians including a five-year-old child in the process.
Edward Kallon, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, on Saturday said both fatalities and several others injured in the attack were on the ground.
“A UN Humanitarian Air Service helicopter was hit by bullets during the attack. No aid workers were on board at the time and crew members are all safe,” Kallon said in a statement.
A UN communication said the aircraft was shot as it approached Damasak and the pilots managed to fly back to Maiduguri, AFP reports.
Image Source: Twitter.com
EFCC Boss Arrested on Corruption Charges
The attorney general of police dragged EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu to a presidential probe panel on the ground of insubordination and re-looting of funds recovered from looters. The EFCC under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu was said to not be “carrying relevant bodies along”.
During the arrest or “invitation” as the case may be, Ibrahim Magu who had been on his way to EFCC headquarters for a meeting requested that he be allowed to attend the meeting. His request was denied. President Buhari has approved his suspension in a bid to ensure the smooth running of ongoing investigations.
Seven Hundred And Nine Dead From Covid-19
As of today, the number of Covid-19 caused deaths has increased to 709. This is a sporadic increase from about 200 deaths in May. The rapid increase of the number of infected persons which is at 31,323 threatens Nigerians with the possibility of another total lockdown.
Image Source: Twitter.com
Nigerian Soldiers Ambushed by The Boko Haram Terrorist Group
Alleged Boko Haram insurgents ambushed soldiers of the Nigerian Army Special Forces, killing many, and leaving others wounded.
The attack, which took place along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway occurred around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, when troops of a task force brigade were on clearance operations. The team came in contact with an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram insurgents who were lying in ambush and a gunfight ensued.
Several media reports indicate the attack left at least 35 soldiers dead and 30 others missing.
However, the Nigerian Army, confirming Tuesday’s attack in a statement, said that only two soldiers died and four others were injured. It also claimed to have killed 17 Boko Haram members during the gunfire exchange.
The Nigerian Army encouraged the residents of the area to “remain calm, law-abiding and continue with their routine activities”, as “all necessary measures” have been put in place to ensure that all the routes in the area are safe for commuting.”
Source: The Vatican News
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