Metro

Police Release EndSARS Protesters Hours After Detention

Published

2 years 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

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.