Author: Chief Editor

THE Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum on Tuesday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for sanctioning the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and promising police reforms. It described the Federal Government’s response to the #EndSARS protests as prompt but suggested ways the government can rebuild the police and win public trust. One of those ways, it said, is to decentralise policing, with simple offences handled locally, while crimes such as kidnapping, currency forgery, and insurrection should be handled at the federal level. In two statements signed by the Yoruba Ronu President, Akin Malaolu, the group said the countrywide clamour against SARS…

The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has created a new unit known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team which will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Last Sunday, he disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to alleged extra-judicial killings, wanton arrests and dispossession of property through physical assault and other intimidation tactics. Here are six things you need to know about the new unit: 1. Prospective members of this new team will undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment. 2. These members are to commence training…

BY REUBEN ABATI The increase in the pump price of fuel, in 2020, a fall-out of the deregulation of the down stream sector, did not compel the youths of Nigeria to troop out onto the streets. The additional hike in electricity tariffs was not enough to ignite their anger either. The government of the day explained to the people that the additional burden of higher prices was part of the sacrifice they had to make as citizens. The impact of COVID-19 was hobbling the country: loss of revenue, inflation, a weak national currency, foreign exchange crisis. The people showed understanding.…

Vanessa Obioha predicts that the success of the EndSARS campaign may bolster the stringent calls by different ethnic groups agitating for separate entities or, at least, to restructure the country The escalating number of protests that happened in many parts of the country the past week, condemning the long-standing brutality meted out by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) of the Nigerian Police Force on citizens and placing Nigeria in global focus in the past week finally came to a headway on Sunday. The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu made a live broadcast to announce the dissolution of the special…

Members of Nigeria’s club of elites, like former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, who insist that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, obviously did not reckon with God, through Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Though he didn’t say, “Thus saith the Lord,” when he suggested that Nigeria must restructure or break up, you can’t ignore him. The usually taciturn cleric is responding, months after civil society groups stood before the Redemption Camp gate to demand his intervention on raging issues of Nigeria’s polity. Pull has finally come to shove. Some, however, think his…

Makinde releases N100m to repair Soun’s palace Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, in Abuja for executive briefing. Sanwo-Olu, who travelled to Abuja shortly after addressing protesters at Alausa in Lagos, during the meeting, presented the demands of Lagos youths for reforms that would bring about positive change and a new orientation among police officers. Also, yesterday, Lagos government activated the process of getting justice for the victims of brutality and extra-judicial actions by SARS operatives. The governor disclosed that his administration has earmarked N200 million…

The much touted improvement promised by Super Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr, before yesterday’s international friendly against the Carthage Eagles failed to materialise as Nigeria laboured to a 1-1 draw with Tunisia in their second international friendly match in Austria. When Nigeria lost by a lone goal to Algeria on Friday, the coaches said the defeat was a dent caused by the unavailability of some key players and the little time the squad had to blend. Rohr promised Nigerians a new vibrant Eagles, saying the team had corrected their mistakes and was ready to feast on Tunisia. That was not the…

Atalanta president reveals details about ‘crazy’ negotiations with Manchester United for Amad Diallo. Manchester United have reportedly been tracking the youngster for a year now. Manchester United completed a £37 million move for Ivorian winger Amad Diallo from Italian side Atalanta on transfer deadline day, but the 18-year-old will not arrive at the club until January. Manchester United were desperate to sign a winger this summer. The Red Devils were involved in a massive transfer saga with Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, but were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the 20-year-old. United then switched their focus to Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele, whom they tried to bring…

Storm US, EU, UK embassies  PDP urges Buhari to restructure, overhaul police Despite the disbandment of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, protesters yesterday continued in Abuja, Onitsha in Anambra State and Jos in Plateau State to demand comprehensive reforms of policing in the country. This is coming as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond scrapping the SARS to restructure and overhaul the Nigeria Police. The street demonstrators, mainly youths and civil rights activists, stormed the Force Headquarters, the Embassies of the United States and…

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the National Assembly will make provision for compensation for families of those killed by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The Speaker disclosed this at plenary on Tuesday, while assuring that the legislative arm is on the same page with Nigerians in their call for reformation of the police. He reiterated that the House would be introducing new legislation as part of efforts to reform the Police force. According to Gbajabiamila, “We will get those whose lives were lost and during this budget process adequate…