Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital came under heavy attacks on Wednesday hours after the shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the popular Lekki Toll Plaza.
Arsonists went on a rampage and burnt the headquarters of the Nation Newspapers and TV Continental that are linked to the National Leader of the ruling APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was learnt that the attackers also attempted to burn his residential house but were prevented. Sources close to Tinubu said the Asiwaju and his family are safe.
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Federal and state government structures including the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were set ablaze by the rampaging youths who also burnt the family residence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and that of his mother.
Wednesday’s carnage followed Tuesday’s shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate where an unspecified number of people died, a development that attracted local and international condemnation.
The shooting happened after the Lagos State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew to curb the escalating violence that trailed the protests against police brutality and other demands by the protesters.
The protest took a horrendous turn Tuesday night when Army officers mobilised to disperse the protesters allegedly fired live bullets, which fell some of the protesters.
Governor Sanwo-Olu initially said no life was lost but later recanted to say one death was recorded while about 30 were injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals.
On Wednesday morning, the state woke up to witness an orgy of attacks allegedly perpetrated by angry youths who took to the streets, vandalising and setting ablaze public buildings and properties.
The alleged arsonists set ablaze the Lagos State Bus Rapid Bus Terminal (BRT) at Oyingbo, alongside many of the passenger buses parked at the premises.
The terminal it was gathered can accommodate over 50 buses at full capacity as it serves as a mega parking station. No fewer than 20 buses were in the terminal as of the time it was set ablaze, according to our sources.
Though, no official statement had been issued on the number of buses destroyed at the terminal as of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the alleged killing of two youths in the area by the police triggered the arson.
But the Oyigbo bus terminal was not the only one torched. The suspected arsonists also stormed another BRT terminal operated by Lagos Bus Service (LBS) at the popular Ojodu Berger, setting the place ablaze.
Several explosions of the burning buses were heard while a thick smoke covered the sky and residents could see from the entire Ojodu suburbs as the expansive terminal went in flames.
Similarly, the Lagos Theatre/Viewing Centre at Oregun, built during the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was also destroyed with fire.
Also, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu’s palace was attacked and his staff of office taken away by hoodlums.
It was gathered that the attackers overpowered the armed uniformed men attached to the palace as they looted the palace.
Although, a close source to the palace said that the Oba is safe, it was learnt that the monarch was whisked away by armed soldiers.
Many of the palace staff were said to have sustained severe injuries while fleeing the area.
Ruins of Lekki Toll Gate
Also, the Lekki toll gate where the crisis started was vandalised and set ablaze by angry youths.
There were suggestions that Tinubu owned the toll gate, a claim, he vehemently denied on Wednesday including allegations that he was sponsoring the protests in Lagos and other places.
Sources close to Tinubu told the Daily Trust that there were deliberate plans from different political quarters to bring down his profile by linking him with the crisis and burning his investments.
Also on Wednesday, the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, another property of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) in charge of the toll gate was set on fire.
A few youths were later seen at the vandalised scene scavenging for items and removing the aluminium frames.
At the headquarters of NPA at Marina, it was learnt that the attackers gained entry into the compound from the rear before setting fire on the building.
A staff of NPA who did not wish to be named, said the arsonists were taking out their anger on all government properties in Lagos and others allegedly belonging to members of APC.
“Our in-house firefighters were able to put out the fire before any colossal damage could be done,” the source said.
How protesters destroyed TVC, The Nation
Another group of protesters also held staff of TVC on CMD road Ikosi, Ketu hostage.
The urchins who mostly wore T-shirts and jeans also vandalised properties including those belonging to staff before setting the TV station on fire while those on duty escaped by whiskers.
Also, the suspected arsonists set the Nation Newspaper Office along Matori road in Oshodi on fire.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Nation’s Editor Adeniyi Adesina described what happened.
“In a commando-like manner, they (mob) kicked their way into the premises after scaring away security men on duty, brandishing their sophisticated guns.
“They poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it. Some of the vehicles parked within the premises were set ablaze, others vandalised
“Many boys came thereafter and swooped on the office, looting everything they could lay their hands on. These include desktop computers, laptops, air conditioners and other office equipment.
“At the time of the attack, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Mr. Victor Ifijeh, was among those trapped within the office while the fire raged on. They were evacuated when men of Operation Mesa security outfit arrived. Their arrival ended the free rein of the invaders.
“It was obviously a targeted attack on the free press. The Nation had been listed on Twitter and other social media platforms by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities, as a target of attack.
“The Nation has robustly reported the protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a better Nigeria.
The Management is at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such unwarranted attack,” he said.
Police Stations not Spared
Igando and Olosan police stations were also not spared as the urchins set the police stations ablaze after stealing uniforms. Agbara police station along the Lagos-Badagry expressway was under attack at the time of filing this report with an unspecified number of people reportedly dead.
Back to the Ikeja metropolis, the protesters also stormed the state command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) at Ojodu along Ogunnusi road setting the facilities ablaze with several vehicles burnt.
While the arson was being perpetrated, many youths were seen on major roads with barricades preventing vehicles from passing.
But later in the evening, mobile policemen took over the roads and cleared the barricades to allow some vehicular movement in and out of Lagos.
Looting Spree
Shopping malls in Ikeja, Lekki, Ajah were also looted. The hoodlums also looted other shops within the areas.
Before setting some high courts ablaze, some of the hoodlums were seen putting on the wigs and gowns stolen from the Judges’ Chambers.
Items stolen from the courts include air conditioners, standing fans, refrigerators and other goods running into millions of Naira as there was no presence of the security agents to stop the looting.
It was gathered that it was after the looting that the hoodlums set the two Courts ablaze.
Why attack on media establishments
In an interview earlier on Wednesday monitored on Channels, Tinubu condemned the action of the Nigerian Army in Lekki.
“Why will they use live bullets? I will never be part of any carnage. I will never be part of that,” Tinubu asked.
Despite the denial, the arsonists still went ahead to attack TVC and the Nation.
The International Press Council (IPC) has condemned the attack on the media houses and the staff working with them.
Lagos suspends state activities for 72 hours
Governor Sanwo-Olu who visited those who sustained injuries in the Lekki shooting at various hospitals where they were receiving treatment, said, “It is relevant to let you know that I have also personally visited the 10 patients at the General Hospital, 11 at Reddington Hospital, and four at Vedic Hospital, with mild to moderate injuries as well as the two in intensive care. So far, three patients have been treated and discharged to reunite with their families.”
Later in a state-wide broadcast, the governor said he has directed the immediate suspension of all State activities for three days except those connected with the governance of security in the State and the management of the current issue.
Sanwo-Olu also ordered the lowering of the flags in all government establishments for three days while he directed the constitution of a five-man Fact-Finding Committee into the Rules of Engagement ordered and adopted by the Nigerian Army to be headed by a retired military officer not less than the rank of a general.
The report of the committee findings, he said will be presented to the president within two weeks.
Chronicling how the situation degenerated, the governor recalled that he has ceaselessly engaged the #EndSARS protesters and declaring the 24-hour curfew was necessary to stop the degeneration into violence across the state.
According to him, events took a different turn from Sunday, October 18, 2020, as criminal elements took advantage of the firm orders handed down to the officers and men of the Nigerian Police not to resort to shooting as a rule of engagement.
He said, “In Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, armed gangs unleashed mayhem on one another. While this was happening, other criminal elements joined in attacking innocent citizens who were returning from church services.
“There were reported cases of violent robbery of scores of citizens and rape of frightened women scampering for safety.
“Other criminal elements, in turn, began to unleash terror on citizens in different parts of the slike Fagba junction in Ogba and Ebute Metta. In the Ebute Metta incident, 19 officers and men of our Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were severely injured by armed thugs in Adekunle, Ebute Metta.
“The level of insecurity in different parts of the state became heightened with the multiple attacks on police stations. The lawlessness blossomed into attacking and lynching of police officers at Herbert Macaulay and Alapere areas of Lagos. Things took a more dangerous turn on October 20, 2020, when the Orile and Ilasamaja Police Stations were razed by arsonists,”
He said while protesters at Alausa left before the curfew time, those at Lekki tollgate insisted on continuing with the protest.
Though he was silent on who ordered the deployment of soldiers, the governor clarified that no sitting governor controls the rules of engagement of the army.
“As we walk this phase of our history, let us remain one resilient people under God, with absolute faith trusting that we shall indeed rise again. Where we are now is fate. I apologise for everything that happened,” he added.
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