Author: Chief Editor

•PTF calls for five-year action plan As the training of selected officers for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team begins today, the Inspector-General of Police, (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has listed the requirements of officers to be trained in the new police tactical team to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The IG reassured Nigerians that no ex-SARS operatives have been shortlisted in the SWAT team. Adamu explained: “The officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven years working experience with clean service records – no pending disciplinary…

Who becomes the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the tenure of the incumbent, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expires on November 9? This is one of the raging questions being asked by analysts and INEC officials as uncertainty beclouds the succession process. Although Yakubu is eligible for reappointment, THISDAY learnt at the weekend from sources in the commission that his body language showed that he is lukewarm about retaining the job. However, THISDAY gathered that some national commissioners are keen on stepping into the shoes of Yakubu, if not reappointed. The Senate confirmed Yakubu as chairman of…

•Protests hijacked to destabilise FG, says Mohammed •Lawan, Gbajabiamila meet Buhari, ask demonstrators for more time •Defence minister cautions against undermining national security •NGF: Govs concerned about rising anger A showdown between security forces and #EndSARS activists may be in the offing as the protesters yesterday unfolded plans to scale up the campaign to force the federal government to meet their demands to stop alleged police brutality, among others, by blocking critical road arteries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos, the country’s economic nerve centre. The protesters, in a tweet, said today, they would block three of the…

• Sixth Loan Stint After Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham, Fenerbahce, Inter Former Super Eagles winger, Victor Moses has promised to make Spartak Moscow’s fans happy, just as he described his latest loan deal as a great pleasure. Moses says Spartak Moscow is one of the greatest clubs in Europe. The Nigerian was an important part of Chelsea that won the Premier League title under Antonio Conte in the 2016/17 campaign, but hasn’t featured in the plans of current manager Frank Lampard. He has departed Stamford Bridge for a sixth loan spell for the Russian side on loan with an…

Monday Onyekachi Ubani, former Second Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in this interview with ONYEDIKA AGBEDO, speaks on the #EndSARS protests across the country, pointing out some immediate steps the Federal Government can take to douse tension and restore normalcy. How would you comment on the #EndSARS protests going on across the country especially from a legal point of view? From the legal point of view it is legitimate. It is not unconstitutional for people to protest as long as the protest is peaceful and within the bounds of law and decency. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with…

Kylian Mbappe shrugged off any lingering fatigue to score twice in his second game in 48 hours as Paris Saint-Germain defeated 10-man Nimes 4-0 on Friday to take over top spot in Ligue 1. The France forward struck the opener on 32 minutes at the Stade des Costieres and netted again late on as a weary Nimes folded following the early dismissal of centre-back Loick Landre. Alessandro Florenzi scored PSG’s second on 77 minutes and Pablo Sarabia notched a fourth for the reigning champions as PSG climbed above Rennes on goal difference after a fifth successive win. “I spoke with…

About 37 former members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad have been listed for dismissal from the Nigeria Police while 24 others are recommended for prosecution. These were the highlights of the Report of the Presidential Panel on Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad set up by the Federal Government in 2018 to reform the dreaded unit. The Police Service Commission yesterday met with the National Human Rights Commission and promised to speed up action on the implementation of the Report of the Presidential Panel on Reform of the SARS. The National Human Rights Commission team, led by its Executive…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse not to be afraid to speak out or seek help, saying the state government would ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are prosecuted. The governor, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), which was held virtually, vowed that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse expeditiously get the necessary support to overcome the psychological trauma associated with such…

BY DELE MOMODU Fellow Nigerians, let me say emphatically that the moment we all dreaded has finally arrived. It is unfortunate that the falcon did not hear the falconer. Nigerian leaders behaved like Nigerians were nonentities, idiots, slaves, donkeys and all what not. Week after week, I have been writing, begging and praying that President Muhammadu Buhari and his goons would not drag us to Golgotha. I’m very sure that even now, my President is unable to see the handwriting on the wall. I wonder what he’s being told by his kitchen cabinet and hordes of advisers. I won’t be…

• Thugs attack activists in Lagos • Army pledges loyalty to Buhari, vows to defend democracy, protect peaceful protests • EU endorses protests, warns against rights violation • NGF rejects SWAT • Defiant activists barricade NASS, boo lawmakers • Protesters hire guards against attackers • SERAP sues FG over attacks on protesters Attempts, yesterday, to stop protests against Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) failed as activists refused to be cowed and took their actions to wider dimensions. It came as northern governors and youths in some states of the north insisted that the controversial police unit should be retained and sent…