From Jude Dangwam, Jos, Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, yesterday expressed sadness over the social, economic and political unrest in the Nigeria and called for prayers for the country.

The Pope, in his verified tweeter handle @Pontifex, called on everyone, particularly Catholics all over the world to pray against every form of violence brewing in the country in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.

CAN Berates Govt for Hoarding Palliatives

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, berated government officials for hoarding COVID-19 palliatives that would have been distributed to the citizens.

In a statement signed by the state chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, yesterday in Kaduna, he said: “Two wrongs cannot make a right.

“Following the event of yesterday 24th October, 2020 in some parts of Chikun and Kaduna South LGA of Kaduna State, where looting and vandalism of public and private properties was reported to have been carried out, which necessitated the enforcement of 24 hours curfew in those areas and later in the entire 23 LGAs of Kaduna State, the leadership of CAN Kaduna State Chapter, held a virtual meeting today 25th October, 2020 with church leaders and other stakeholders in the affected communities to have an objective understanding of the matter, assess it and chart a way forward.

“Against this background, CAN Kaduna State Chapter, condemns in strong terms the vandalisation and looting of public and private properties in Kaduna State by youth.

“We are sad to know that palliatives were discovered in warehouses located in Barnawa in Kaduna, as a result of which the youths fell into the temptation of vandalising the property and looting the said palliatives stored there going as far as searching for other warehouses in other locations within Kaduna. CAN frowns at such actions and condemn it in strong terms.”

Meanwhile, the peaceful protest embarked upon by #EndSARS agitators, but hijacked by hoodlums has now turned to massive looting of government property, warehouses, banks and lawmakers houses.

DAILY ASSET nationwide monitor revealed that places like Kaduna, Cross Rivers , Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Kogi states, were worst affected by the looting. 

We gathered that the hoodlums were particularly about items preserved as COVID-19 palliatives, which include food stuff, provisions and confectioneries.

Lalong Father- in- Law, Dogara’s House Attacked

In Jos, the Plateau state capital yesterday, hoodlums reportedly attacked the residence of Plateau Governor Simon Lalong’s father –in-law’s house at Tudan Wada, and looted the residence of former Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara at Lamingo quarters.

The School of Home Economy, the Local Government Secretariat in Riyom, the warehouse as well as the NSCDC office were reportedly vandalised.

The Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General, Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, said the suspected looters were apprehended during an operation.

According to him, 13 male and 17 female were arrested at the former Speaker’s residence.

He said Items recovered include five grinding machines, three grinding machine heads, two unassembled Keke NAPEP, 1 Keke NAPEP engine, and one bundle of clothing material.

No fewer than 97 youths were arrested after looting, vandalising and destroying several properties in search of COVID-19 palliatives items.

The rampaging youths broke into State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) warehouse located along Bukuru express way and carted away assorted food items donated to the state government by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Disaster and Social Development Management recently.

DAILY ASSEY gathered that about 73 trucks loaded with grains stored in the warehouse had been emptied by youths who became united for the free for all exercise.

The office of the Plateau State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASSA) along Vom Road in Zawan, was not spared either as documents scattered all in the name of search for palliatives.

The head office of the Plateau Publishing Company, publishers of The Nigerian Standard Newspaper, came under attack even as the Sunday morning incident led to wonder the re-enacted 24 hours curfew on Jos North and Jos South LGA by Governor Simon Lalong.

The rampaging youths also looted the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP) and made away with bags of fertilizers, deferent types of machines, amongst other things.

Meanwhile, security operatives repelled hundreds of youths, Sunday morning with gun shots, teargas, who matched to the Federal Secretariat with the aim of loot offices,

The Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP Edward Egbuka through the Command’s PPRO ASP Bonbey Peter said “97 suspects were arrested by STF personnel from Dutse Uku who entered PADP and looted properties.” 

Governor Simon Lalong had earlier on explained why the reinstatement of the 24 hours curfew became eminent considering the fragile nature of the state.

In his State broadcast of Saturday he said, “Today, some hoodlums broke into the warehouses where palliatives delivered to the State by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development last week were stored awaiting distribution and carted them away.

“This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating thereby threatening the peace and security of the State.”

He added, “To avoid further escalation, I hereby direct the immediate reinstatement of the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed from 4pm today 24th October 2020 in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas till further notice.

“By this, security agencies are directed to enforce the curfew and ensure that all violators are arrested and prosecuted.  

I call on all citizens and stakeholders to continue to cooperate with Government in ensuring the peace and progress of Plateau state.”

Protesters Cart Away Palliatives  in Kogi

No fewer than 500 unidentified persons invaded the warehouse , housing the COVID-19 palliative materials  in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital..

The warehouse located along the Murtala Mohammed way, very close to Kpata market in Lokoja were invaded as early as 7 am on Saturday  by mostly women waiting for the door to be opened.

Although , it was learnt that the  state government had last week commenced the distribution of the COVID-19 palliatives to all the 21 local government Councils, but it was not clear wether  the items burgled were part of the ones the government  had directed its distribution

In a shift reaction ,  the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said contrary to insinuations that the items were burgled, the items were distributed under the watchful eyes of security operatives monitoring the exercise.

“The crowd you saw  there were in response to the governor’s directive that the remaining items should be given out to the people and the exercise have been going on without any hitch” the commissioner told our correspondent.

Lagos Needs N1trn for Re-construction — Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that Lagos state alone will require  a minimum of N1trillion to reconstruct the damaged properties by hoodlums across the state.

Gbajabiamila, who spoke with state house correspondents, said: ” We stand in solidarity with Lagos state government and the people of the state. This is indeed a difficult period. This is not Lagos of our dream. It’s indeed very sad. I don’t want to take ethnic dimension. but I urge us to shut our ears to ethnic conspiracy theory. Nation building is a joint task.

“Whatever the House can do in rebuilding Lagos and other states it will do. We are now in a state of reconstruction. What must be done will be done.

“You have fought a good fight, government, National Assembly have listened. It’s time to take stock and ensure it would never happened again. What has happened has happened.

“However, we want to know what exactly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate. The judicial panel must reveal this. However, I want to encourage Nigerians to allow peace to reign.

 “I learnt from the governor of Lagos State that it will take N1trillion to rebuild what had been lost and asked him what’s the budget size of the state, he said about N1trillion. You can see we are moving backward.

“Hence, we must consider the consequences of our actions before embarking on any venture. I, therefore, appeal to the youths to allow peace to reign. I still believe in unity of Nigeria”.