Metro

Police Release EndSARS Protesters Hours After Detention

Published

12 months ago

October 20, 2024

The Lagos State Police Command has released EndSARS protesters who were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, during a commemoration at the Lekki Toll Gate.

This was confirmed by the Command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who announced their release via his official X page, stating that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, personally oversaw the process.

Hundeyin wrote: “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”

The arrests occurred as protesters gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, where soldiers allegedly opened fire on peaceful protesters during the EndSARS demonstrations against police brutality.

However, the reason for their arrest remains unclear, as Hundeyin did not respond to inquiries, and attempts to reach him resulted in ‘busy’ signals.

In a video viewed by Vanguard, some of the arrested protesters claimed they were beaten by police officers simply for assembling to honour the 2020 victims.

‘They beat us’

Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesman for the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), also confirmed the release.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police visited Panti Police Station to facilitate the protesters’ release.

Soweto recounted: “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came to Panti police station, pleading hypocritically.

“The whole brutalisation, assault, and arrest occurred in his presence.”

He further alleged that many of the protesters were injured during the police assault.

“One comrade had blood gushing from his nose, while two others — a male and a female— were sexually molested. Another male comrade was stripped naked, and we had to tie his trousers with a rope to preserve his dignity,” he said.

Soweto described the experience as a violation of their rights, adding that the police’s actions on a day meant to commemorate a brutal massacre were intolerable.

“We want justice, and we won’t stop until we get it,” he stated, vowing that their fight against anti-poor policies would continue.

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, also confirmed the protesters’ arrests in a tweet.

He said they were beaten before being transported in a Black Maria van to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba.

Additionally, an X user identified as Frednardo da Vinci shared a video showing the arrested protesters singing solidarity songs inside a moving vehicle, with one protester stating: “We have just been arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate where we marched to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the victims of EndSARS.”

We secured their release – Inibehe Effiong

Similarly, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has argued that the 22 activists arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate, were released after his discussion with Commissioner of Police.

Disclosing this on his official X Platform, he said: “We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Lekki massacre.

“We had a discussion with the Commissioner of Police, who came over to the State CID in respect of the matter. The items seized from the protesters were also returned to them.”

Metro

FULL LIST: Police Arrest Suspects Involved In Death Of Arise TV Presenter

Published

5 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects involved in the armed robbery incident that led to the death of Arise TV presenter, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

According to the police, the suspects are: Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Katsina State, Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Kaduna, Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Katsina, Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Katsina, Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Kaduna and Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Katsina.

Others are Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from Katsina, Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from Kaduna, Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from Katsina, Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Kaduna, Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Kaduna and Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Borno.

The police added that shortly after the robbery incident, four (4) of the suspects Shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stollen from the apartment during the robbery.

“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment,” the statement read.

“Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.”

Recovered exhibits include: One fabricated ak-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones of the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass and nine torchlights used during the operation.

The police said: “In continuation of investigations, yesterday, 08/10/2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence also provided by us, the remaining members of the gang, Musa umar a.k.a. small, Hassan Isah and other accomplices involved in the Gishiri robbery were intercepted while enroute to an already planned armed robbery operation scheduled to hold at maitama in the early hours of this morning.”

According to the statement, all suspects have confessed to the crimes while investigation is ongoing.

Metro

Reason Benin Oba Market Was Gutted By Fire Revealed

Published

10 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

Barely six years fire gutted Oba Market in Benin, another fire engulfed the popular market late Wednesday night.

The market, which is being reconstructed after abandonment since the June 2020 fire incident, was reportedly set ablaze by a solar panel.

Inspecting the market on Thursday, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri, said only one shop was affected by the fire incident.

He said firefighters and security agencies promptly responded to ensure the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.

Iduseri said traders would be stopped from installing solar panels inside the market to prevent future fire outbreaks.

He said, “We learnt solar panel caused the fire. We are going to stop installation of solar panels and check all the electrical wiring in the market.

“I want to assure that we will support the affected trader to get back to business. There is no much damage. No life was lost. Oredo local government was here and we put measures in place to prevent thieves.”

The affected trader was said to have collapsed last night.

Metro

7 African Countries That Experience Snow

Published

1 day ago

October 8, 2025

Editor

When people talk about Africa, snow is rarely part of the conversation. The continent is better known for its warm weather, deserts, and beaches than blizzards or ski slopes. Yet scattered across its vast landscapes are places where temperatures drop low enough for snow to fall and sometimes stick.

1. South Africa

Snow isn’t unusual in South Africa, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains and areas around Ceres and Sutherland.

The country even boasts a ski resort, Tiffindell, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding between June and August.

2. Lesotho

Lesotho, known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. That high altitude makes it one of the snowiest countries in Southern Africa. The Afriski Mountain Resort becomes a popular destination during the winter months, offering a genuine alpine experience.

3. Morocco

In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains receive regular snowfall between December and March. The Oukaïmeden Ski Resort, located just outside Marrakech, attracts locals and tourists eager to ski or simply enjoy a mountain escape, all within view of the desert.

4. Algeria

The Tell Atlas and Aurès Mountains in Algeria get dusted with snow each winter. Towns such as Setif and Batna often experience several snowy days, creating a rare but beautiful contrast between the icy peaks and the nearby Sahara sands.

5. Tunisia

In Tunisia’s Kroumirie Mountains, particularly around Aïn Draham, snow is a familiar winter visitor. The region’s pine forests and rolling hills transform into a quiet, white landscape that feels far removed from the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast.

6. Kenya

Snow in Kenya may sound impossible, but the peaks of Mount Kenya are permanently capped with ice. Although the glaciers are shrinking, climbers still trek to the summit to witness the rare sight of snow just a few degrees south of the equator.

7. Tanzania

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s most famous snowy landmark.

Its white summit rises above the plains, a stunning reminder of the continent’s diverse climates and a view that has inspired countless travellers and photographers.

Snow might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Africa, but it’s part of the story too. In these high-altitude regions, winter shows up quietly.