Lagos State Pardons 14 Inmates, Reversed 20 Death Sentences!

Lagos State Government pardons fourteen inmates at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.

The inmates, having been imprisoned for more than 20-years, after due case-files examination, that showed they were fully reformed and ready for re-integration in to society, were granted Prerogative of Mercy. Twenty others on death-row were reversed to life imprisonment.

The development was followed a constitutional provision, which provides for the constitution of an Advisory Council and grants the Governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the Council's advice.

Seven Arrested In Connection To Sri Lanka's Bomb Explosions!

Seven people have been arrested in connection to series of simultaneous explosions across Sri Lanka's capital city, Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa areas on Easter Sunday, 21st April, 2019. The attack hit three churches and three luxury hotels, leaving over two-hundred people dead and scores injured. 

According to reports, two other bomb-explosions went off later in the day.  People of different nationalities including: Americans, Britons and Indians, were affected in the explosions. 

Places affected were: Residential District, Dematagoda, St Anthony's Shrine, The Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Shangri-la Hotel,and Hotel by Dehi

Consequently, an immediate clamp-down was declared, access to major Social Media and messaging cites were blocked and curfew imposed by the government. 

Notre-Dame Razed!

Notre-Dame burns, as about four hundred fire-fighters battle to save art-works, stored in the Catholic Cathedral. Fire broke out at the Cathedral, on Monday, 15th April, 2019.

The cause of the fire is not certain, authorities believe it could be linked to the on-going renovation works. The spire at the top of the building was captured caving in, but no casualties was yet reported in the inferno that has engulfed the entire building.

Zamfara: Foreigners Ordered To Vacate Gold-Mine Sites, As FG Launches Operation Puff Adder!

Following the recent killing of scores in Zamfara state, north-west Nigeria, the Federal Government has suspended mining activities, and ordered foreign miners to immediately vacate mining sites in the state. This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari announced the deployment of security agents to all affected areas. 

Zamfara Gold Miners

The FG also announced the launch of Operation Puff Adder, a multi-agency operations which comprises of the: Police Force, Military, DSS and others. 

The agency is  focused on ensuring security in Zamfara, Kaduna (Abuja-Kaduna express way), Katsina, Kogi and Nigeria states.

Kolade Johnson's Killing- Trigger Happy SARS Officials Arrested, Lagos CP/ FG Assures That Justice Will Prevail!

SARS officials involved in the killing of late Kolade Johnson, has been arrested. The Police disclosed this in a statement, released on Monday, 1st April, 2019, a day after the tragic incident occurred. 

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, called for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in this case. According to the statement signed by the state's Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, the arrested officers are currently under-going interrogation in Police custody, where they will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures.

The Statement reads: 

"POLICE TEAM SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING OF KOLADE JOHNSON IS NOW IN OUR CUSTUDY….. CP LAGOS COMMAND ASSURES JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

On 31/03/2019 at about 5.05pm, the Command received a distress call that Lagos- Abeokuta Express Way has been blocked by some angry youths who were protesting the shooting of one Kolade Johnson m of No.1 Beco street, Onipetesi, Mangoro Bus Stop by a team of Policemen from Anti Cultism unit. A team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squads and Metro patrol were promptly drafted to the scene. The account of eye witnesses helped in identifying the team which fled the scene immediately after the incident.

Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in Police custody undergoing interrogation.

They will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, and may be prosecuted in conventional Court if implicated by ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu mni calls for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in this case.

The CP also condoles with the family, friends and well wishers of Kolade Johnson. The CP has promised to initiate far reaching reforms to help in repositioning the Anti Cultism Squad for effective service delivery, particularly in areas of respect for Human Rights & proficiency in the use of firearms. Members of the Public who have complaints on the activities of Anti Cultism Squad or any of our Police teams should call the following numbers 08063299264, 08065154338 and 08060357795, please

DSP Bala Elkana

Police Public Relations Officer

Lagos State."

Following the Police statement, the Nigerian Government sent its condolences to the family of the victim, Kolade Johnson's family and friends.

The government confirmed that the teem suspected of involvement in the shooting have been apprehended, and are undergoing disciplinary procedures.

Man Killed By SARS Stray Bullet In Lagos!

A young man, identified as Kolade Johnson, was killed by stray bullets fired by officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at a viewing center located at Olu Aboderin street, Onipetesi junction, on Lagos- Abeokuta road axis, Lagos, Nigeria.

Kolade, being rushed to the Hospital after he was hit by SARS stray bullet

According to eye witness account, officials of the "anti-robbery" squad stormed the viewing center, to arrest a man on dreadlocks, after the arrest, the officials fired shots carelessly into the air and Kolade who happened to be at the center, watching the Liverpool and Tottenham Premier League, was hit by one of the bullets. Efforts to safe him proved abortive, as he was pronounced dead on arrival at the General Hospital, Ikeja, where he was rushed to.

Reports has it that the deceased, Kolade, was the only child of his parents, he recently became a father, and was in Nigeria on a visit.

This publication is a voice to #respectforhumanlives #endsars #endpolicebritality #everynigerianlifematters campaign.

Link to previous stories on SARS extra-judicial killing: https://rovinginformant.blogspot.com/2018/07/endsars-while-i-was-busy-fighting-for.html

Photo Speak: Victoria Island, Lagos!

View of Sun Rise, at the Lagoon, from Falomo bridge, link between Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.