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#EndSARS ONE YEAR AFTER: Security operatives take over Lekki tollgate

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Few hours to the first anniversary of the 2020 #EndSARS nationwide protests, security operatives, including the police, soldiers and others have surrounded the Lekki tollgate plaza.

According to reports, youths in the country are preparing to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS, a protest movement against police brutality that rocked major cities in the country.

The protests came to a grinding halt after October 20, 2020, the date of a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate, the epicentre of the demonstrations.

#EndSARS was first a campaign to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit, notorious for extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings.

After it snowballed into wider protests against bad governance, the authorities suspended the unit and promised reforms.

But the youth were sceptical and continued to protest – until the Lekki shootings.

Police spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement titled, ‘#EndSARS anniversary: No streets protests in Lagos’, said there may be a breakdown of law and order if the protests are allowed to hold.

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The statement read, “The police will only allow an indoor and virtual event in commemoration of the EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue (s) if known. This is in recognition of rights of every Nigerian to express his or her interest.

“We wish we could permit such street protests. However, intelligence at our disposal has revealed plans by some faceless groups or individuals to stage an anti-EndSARS anniversary protest in the state the same day.

“In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti- EndSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the Command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and 20th October, 2021 and beyond.

“It is acknowledged that citizens have the right to peaceful protests. However, in this instance having carried out a critical security assessment and intelligence report at the disposal of the Lagos Command in respect of the planned protests and attendant implications on public safety, the Command considers it inappropriate to allow such protests to hold. It will not stand aloof and allow the breakdown of law and order which the protests may cause.

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“To avoid a recurrence of the gory protests of last year during which some innocent Nigerians including police officers were gruesomely murdered, private and public property plundered and maliciously destroyed, the police will not abdicate their responsibilities of protection of lives and property by allowing such avoidable incident happen again in the state

“Therefore, in the interest of security and public safety, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, wishes to warn the organisers of the protests that the police will deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests.”

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EFCC uncovers illegal oil refinery in Ogun

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance of the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

The operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

According to the statement, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the Commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

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“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the Commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said operatives also discovered underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

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“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

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Police bust high-tech indoor Cannabis farm in Lagos, arrest two suspects

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in the  Apapa,l area of the state.

The suspects are a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian.

According to the police, the suspects are Thomas Razvickas and James Chisome, both of whom reportedly reside at the property where the facility was discovered.

The operation was carried out on November 2 at about 8:15 a.m., following credible intelligence received by police operatives, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of a sophisticated indoor farming facility reportedly equipped for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.

The police said the two suspects had been taken into custody, adding that they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the scale of the operation and receive a briefing on the investigation.

Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led policing, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible information and urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police.

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Troops kill ISWAP commanders, two Arab fighters in Borno

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The gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali (leader).

In astatement issued on Sunday, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said that two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on October 31.

Goni said the attack came three days after troops killed 55 terrorists, including three key commanders.

“Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed in Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations and troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component,” the statement reads.

“Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

“The successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

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“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely 3 days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.”

Goni described the killing of the ISWAP fighters as a “significant blow to the leadership and operational capability” of the group.

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