- Hoodlums attack another Edo prison, free inmates
- Edo declares 24-hour curfew
- Police disperse Abuja protesters with tear gas, brutalise journalist
EndSARS protesters block Third Mainland Bridge
- Youths minister briefs Buhari
- Travellers stranded as #EndSARS protesters block Abuja airport road
Ibe Pascal Arogorn
Suspected hoodlums on Monday burnt down the Ugbekun Police Station in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The incident occurred around 11am on Monday .
The hoodlums also vandalised other properties within the police premises.
First responders including firefighters were yet to be seen at the incident venue as of the time of filing this report .
The hoodlums had hijacked the #EndSARS protests ongoing in the country against police brutality.
The hoodlums also broke into the Benin Prison popularly called White House and freed several inmates in one of the cells.
Also destroyed was the High Court 4 which is beside the prison where the hoodlums vandalised .
Hoodlums attack another Edo prison, free inmates
Hoodlums on Monday attacked the Oko Medium Security Centre in Edo State and freed the inmates.
The surging hoodlums overpowered the five armed guards in the facility and had a free day looting shops along roadsides leading to the prison.
They also reportedly carted away valuables from offices of prison officials.
This is coming some hours after some hoodlums hijacked #EndSARS protest to attack the Benin Correctional Centre and free inmates.
It was gathered that immediately after the attack in Benin Prison, security was alerted in Oko but calls to the Nigerian Army and the Police for reinforcement were not heeded hence the ease with which the hoodlums overpowered the prison guards.
The facility has the capacity to accommodate 1300 inmates.
A prison source said, “They came in their thousands and their mission was to free inmates. They have been communicating with the inmates because even before they broke into the facility, the inmates were already rioting inside the place.”
Before the attack on Oko Correctional Centre, the suspected hoodlums had ransacked Oba Market police station, attacked its armoury and went away with their guns and some uniforms they found in the station.
While that was going, suspected hoodlums attacked Igbekun police station and set it ablaze.
Police disperse Abuja protesters with tear gas, brutalise journalist
Despite directives by the Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Adamu , warning against deployment of force against peaceful protesters , policemen on Monday fired tear gas at #EndSARS campaigners in Abuja .
The protesters who massed around the busy Keffi- Abuja Expressway around the Karu axis in the suburb of the nation ’ s capital were violently dispersed by the armed policemen.
The police officers , who emerged from under the Karu Bridge , chased the protesters away with horsewhips as they ran for cover in different directions.
There were reports that a journalist was assaulted by the policemen.
Edo declares 24-hour curfew
The Edo State Government has imposed a 24- hour curfew across the state until further notice .
The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, October 19, 2020 – Monday .
The government , in a press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government , Osarodion Ogie , on Monday , described the development as disturbing .
The statement was titled, ‘ Edo govt declares 24- hour curfew ’ .
It read in part, “ This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters .
“ While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.
“ By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly . Those who cannot move safety are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.
Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order .
“ The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order , therefore , anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law. ”
protesters block Third Mainland Bridge
The Adekunle section of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State has been blocked by youths protesting against police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria .
The PUNCH gathered that the protesters only allowed vehicles on emergency services access to the bridge .
It was learnt that the protesters had earlier marched to Panti and Adekunle Police Station in a bid to register their grievances.
One of the protesters , Dotun , said that taking the protest to Panti was deliberate.
Against reports that the protesters burnt Adekunle Police Station , Dotun said , “ We did not burn the station or attacked anyone there . We just stood near the gate and that of Panti to show our pains. We know that they have many SARS operatives there . ”
Youths took to the streets again in Lagos State on Monday as the protests against police brutality snowballed into calls for good governance in the country.
According to Amnesty International on Monday , at least 15 people have been killed, including two policemen, since the protests started.
Amnesty had reported a death toll of 10 last Thursday, a week after the protests erupted .
Youths minister briefs Buhari
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Monday , briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing protests across the country.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja , the minister said the President again appealed to protesters to give the Federal Government time to address their demands .
He also quoted Buhari as urging the protesters not to allow hoodlums to hijack the protests.
Travellers stranded as #EndSARS protesters block Abuja airport road
Scores of air passengers were on Monday stranded as youths protesting against the scrapped Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force completely shut down the Shehu Yar ’ Adua way leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja .
Our correspondent reported that placards -wielding youths blocked the expressway at every major junction : Soka , Kuje and Lugbe among others .
Those who flew into Abuja from other parts of the country found it difficult to access the city centre since the expressway was completely blocked.
Intending passengers who wanted to fly out of Abuja also had hectic time getting to the airport.
Some, who abandoned vehicles conveying them and decided to patronise commercial motorcyclists, were turned back .
Hawkers , especially those selling sachet water and snacks , made brisk business as the youths, many of who are playing football on the highway, patronised them .
