The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have condemned the ongoing detention of minors involved in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

In August 2024, Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest against the hardships, hunger, and poor governance that have marked the current administration. Many were arrested by Nigerian security forces, with 76 individuals arraigned in court today.

During the proceedings, one minor among the group collapsed in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

1. The Police in Edo State have confirmed the death of five and the arrest of one person in connection with food poisoning at Afashio-Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area. Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the food poisoning occurred on October 26, causing panic among residents.

2. Oyo State Police Command has confirmed 10 persons dead and eight others injured when a building collapsed in Jegede, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Oyo Police spokesman, Adewale Osifeso made this known in a statement.

3. The National Economic Council (NEC) has recommended the withdrawal of the Tax Reforms Bill from the National Assembly to President Bola Tinubu to allow for wider consultations. Disclosing this to journalists at the end of the 145th NEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said this formed part of resolutions reached at the meeting.

4. Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he will take the responsibility for any poorly constructed roads in the country under the current administration. Umahi explained that the federal government had no excuse not to finish the road projects embarked upon, noting that the ministry was not afraid to wield the ‘big stick’ by terminating the contracts of any erring companies.

5. The National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday, disclosed that about 34 states, 217 local government areas were affected by the recent flooding in the country, adding that 321 persons also lost their lives. The Council also said 1,374,557 persons were affected, 740,743 displaced nationwide while 2,854 persons were injured and 281,000 houses, 258,000 cultivated farmlands were also destroyed by the ravaging flood.

6. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says a former minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Betta Edu, is still under the investigation of the anti-graft agency despite permanently exiting the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

7. Governors of the 36 states of the federation have expressed dismay over the lingering crisis in the petroleum industry, saying it is shameful that despite being a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria still imports petrol. Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, made the expression while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

8. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau found the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed last Thursday into the Atlantic Ocean while conveying workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited from Port Harcourt. This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, on Thursday.

9. The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, on Thursday, confirmed the death of an employee of a new generation bank identified as Mr. Victor Udensi and two others in Umuahia, assuring that the perpetrators would soon be brought to book.

10. No fewer than 15 people were reportedly killed in a renewed attack by gunmen suspected to be armed herders at Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attackers were reported to have invaded the town on Wednesday around 6:32 pm killing people.

Deji Adeyanju, the Nigerian lawyer, says the police have detained VeryDarkMan, the social media critic.

In a Twitter post on Thursday evening, the lawyer said the activist, born Martins Otse, was detained after honouring the police invitation.

Adeyanju lamented that his client was taken into custody despite cooperating with the police authorities.

“Our client, VDM has been detained after honouring police invitation just like yesterday. VDM who has been consistent in saying the Nigerian Police are our friends even when we all know they are not,” the tweet reads.

The development comes after VeryDarkMan shared a video of himself in a matching suit. In the footage, he said he was heading to the police station in Abuja to respond to the invitation.

Trouble began when VeryDarkMan wore a police uniform and introduced himself as the “chief superintendent of police (CSP) of the online division”.

The police said it would launch an investigation to determine the source of the police gear used and the authority under which the activist acted.

VeryDarkMan would later apologise to the police while emphasizing that he didn’t intend to impersonate the law enforcement agency.

The fitness expert had also revealed that he returned from the police station where he was interrogated based on the controversial footage.

The police have yet to confirm VeryDarkMan’s detention or provide further details.