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Investigate Police’s Violent Crackdown On Peaceful Protesters, NAS Urges Tinubu

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

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The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity, has expressed concern over the recent wave of violence and brutality that accompanied the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria.

The association condemned the excessive use of force by security operatives against peaceful protesters and journalists, adding that the right to protest is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society, and its suppression through violence is both illegal and immoral.

Since the commencement of the protests on August 1, there have been alarming reports of police and security forces using excessive force against unarmed civilians.

These actions have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 13 lives and the brutalisation of numerous individuals, including no fewer than 31 journalists.

In his address earlier on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu condemned the violence and the destruction of property that has marred the protests, but NAS, in a statement on Monday by its Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said despite the largely peaceful nature of these protests in some parts of the country, reports indicate a disturbing pattern of violence and brutality inflicted by security operatives.

This statement was issued shortly after the 48th Supreme Pyrates Colloquium and the Annual General Meeting of NAS, which was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State from August 2 to 4.

The event, which was also used to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of its founders, Prof Wole Soyinka, also had a series of other activities including medical outreach for the less privileged with over 200 beneficiaries.

In the statement, the association wondered why President Tinubu did not use that opportunity to tell the nation how he intended to cut the cost of governance across the board with the one-month timeline given by the protesters.

Oteri said, “Yes, the President acknowledged those that were killed in the protest, we are, however, deeply concerned by his failure to explicitly denounce the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by the police in several states, notably Abuja and Lagos.

“We, therefore, call on the President to institute an independent and transparent investigation into the killings and brutalisation of peaceful protesters and journalists. Those found responsible must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“We reiterate our call for an end to the violence and for immediate actions to restore justice and uphold the principles of democracy.”

While noting that the National Association of Seadogs stands in solidarity with the brave Nigerians who are exercising their democratic rights to demand better governance, Oteri, however, condemned the wanton looting and destruction of property by hoodlums in some states.

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NiMet Predicts Three-day Rain, Thunderstorms From Monday

Published

12 hours ago

September 21, 2025

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News

JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

Published

18 hours ago

September 21, 2025

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.

Details later…

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JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees

Published

18 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.

These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.

The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.

“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”

In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.

He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.

Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.

According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.

This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.