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Amnesty International Accuses Nigerian Police of Killing 24 Protesters
Amnesty International has accused Nigerian police of killing at least 24 people during the #EndBadGovernance protests, held from August 1 to 10 over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions.
The victims, including 20 young adults, two children, and an elderly person, were reportedly shot at close range, with many sustaining fatal injuries to the head or torso. Amnesty called the actions deliberate and accused authorities of covering up the incidents.
Protests in Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and other states turned violent when police used live ammunition and tear gas. Kano recorded 12 deaths, while Jigawa and Niger reported three each. Over 1,200 protesters, including minors, were detained, with reports of torture among detainees.
Despite evidence, authorities denied involvement, blaming “unknown gunmen” or dismissing reports as “fake news.” Amnesty has called for President Bola Tinubu to investigate and ensure accountability for the violence.
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“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
