Headlines
Lekki Shootings: CNN is Desperate, Presented Doctored Video – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has accused CNN of desperation over its second report on the Lekki toll plaza shootings that happened on October 20.
The Minister said this on NTA on Wednesday.
CNN had on Tuesday released a second ‘investigative report’ on the shootings at Lekki toll plaza during the #EndSARS protests amid threats of sanction from the Federal Government.
But the minister faulted CNN’s reports, saying it lacked credible sources.
When asked about the second CNN’s report, Mohammed said, “It shows that they (CNN) are desperate. The so-called recent development has been seen before. There is nothing new. If there is anything new, it is a contradiction of CNN’s position.
“What we are asking CNN is that where is your evidence? The military has been consistent. CNN contravenes the basic principles of journalism – fairness, and balance.
‘They did the story without contacting the Federal Government for its own side. They relied on second and third parties narratives.
“They (CNN) were caught spreading fake news and they are trying to escape.
“We are accusing them (CNN) of basing their stories on videos sourced on social media. CNN has been inconsistent. It also doctored the video it got.
“We are confident in our position.”
On the letter addressed to Jonathan Hawkins, VP (Communications), CNN Centre, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the minister said, “We have received an acknowledgment and we were told that the letter has been passed to the editorial team.”
CNN, in its second report titled, ‘Analysis of CCTV footage from Lekki toll gate raises new questions about shooting’, stated that it had obtained the video and subsequently analysed its content.
CNN also compared the CCTV footage with some of the videos on social media which the National Broadcasting Commission had sanctioned three local television stations for using and concluded that the authorities had more questions to answer.
The fresh report also shows the Commander, 81 Division, Brig.Gen Ahmed Taiwo, admitting before the judicial panel that his men indeed took live ammunition to the tollgate.
The CNN report also highlights the fact that Brig.Gen Taiwo’s claim is at variance with that of the minister who had claimed last week that the army fired blank bullets.
The Punch
Headlines
Jonathan Highlights IBB’s Importance to Nigeria As Former Military President Launches Memoir
A former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has lauded the country’s one time amilitary President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) for his generous contributions to the growth of the nation, saying Nigeria’s history is incomplete without the his story.
Jonathan said this in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of a book by the ex-dictator, titled, ‘A Journey in Service”.
Jonathan noted at the event which also doubles as the launch of Babangida’s presidential library, “So, Ibrahim Bagandiga as we all know, is one of the most charismatic leaders in this country. He is somebody that, up to date, people go as if they are going on a pilgrimage to consult him. We thank God for giving him that grace and the wisdom to continue to mentor people.
“In terms of leadership, Nigerians know you have contributed significantly in terms of the infrastructure development of this country and social mobilisation. We cannot write the history of Nigeria without dedicating a reasonable part to your service as the President of Nigeria.
“You’ve done well!”
According to him, with the launch of the book, the former Head of State has contributed immensely to the documentation of the country’s rich history.
“So, if you contribute to the documentation of the history, it makes your history stronger, more relevant,” he continued.
“So, today, you’re helping us,” the former Bayelsa governor told the gathering which included past and present leaders.
Jonathan thanked the former president for launching the presidential library.
He called on other leaders, especially ex-presidents to key into building a presidential library.
According to him, this will aid in better documentation of Nigeria’s history.
Jonathan, who is also a former governor of Bayelsa State, asked the Federal Government to help in the management of these libraries as it is done in several parts of the world.
“They are a source of history. If any scholar wants to know what happens at a segment of history, he goes to the presidential library,” he said.
General Babangida was at the helm of affairs between 1987 and 1993 when he stepped aside as a result of the heat that generated following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again condemned the local government crisis that erupted in Osun State on Monday, resulting in the loss of six lives.
In a statement issued via his verified X handle on Tuesday, the former VP described the chaos as a brutal display of lawlessness, political brigandage, and subversion of democracy.
“Nigerians bore witness to a chilling display of lawlessness yesterday, as the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs — through sheer political brigandage and the subversion of democracy,” Atiku wrote.
He stated that the APC’s actions in Osun State were an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and must be condemned.
“In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force.
“Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats. And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence,” Atiku stated.
He argued that had it not been for the fearless resistance of the Osun people — who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers — democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.
He said Osun State would never bow to anti-democratic forces, as the people have shown beyond doubt that they will not allow their electoral rights to be stolen, no matter the level of intimidation.
Atiku further urged the security agencies deployed for Saturday’s elections to uphold their constitutional duty with professionalism by “refusing to be used as enforcers of the APC’s criminal agenda” because the world is watching.
He warned that these are dangerous times and that the APC has “abandoned any pretence of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power,” despite resistance from the people.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression,” Atiku stated.
He added, “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honoured warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
He further warned, “President Bola A. Tinubu and his dwindling band of enablers must cease their reckless acts of political sabotage — not just in Osun or Lagos, but across Nigeria.
“The people demand governance, not chaos. Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.”
The 2025 edition of the annual 42km 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya’s Edwin Kibet on Saturday emerged winner in the men category, clocking a time of 2:14:06 to win the $50,000 price money.
Kibet came third last year behind his compatriot Bernard Sang who won it with a time of 02:16:49 and another Kenyan Cheprot who came second.
It is Kibet’s second win in the competition following his first victory in the 2023 edition.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious clocking a time of 2:37:04 for her first win in the competition.
First Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the to 10 positions.
He finished the race in 8th place, clocking a time 2:25:41.58 which will earn him a prize award of $4,000. As the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi also won the N2million top prize in the Nigerian category.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also one of the participants in this year’s Lagos City Marathon.
The 42km race commenced at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, and finished in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
This year’s edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon had thousands of runners competing for the top prize.
The annual event was to a gold label by the World Athletics in 2023 less than eight years after its first edition.
