EFCC
Many have reacted following viral reports on social media claiming that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) broke into a Lagos hotel and arrested about 30 persons over fraud.
While criticizing the action of the Commission, they urged it to always carry out its operations in a manner that would not result in violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
They also say that bursting into a hotel to arrest dozens of people in one fell swoop may not be too good for the hospitality industry, as it is capable of forcing people to stop patronizing hotels.
More reactions are captured below:
@JagunJagun6: “Is this even legal? No arrest/search warrant
Just straight seizing of key and straight-up arrest.”
@Letter_to_Jack: “People who are saying hotels should resist EFCC don’t know the power they wield and how they abuse that power.
“Most of the time, hotels and hoteliers are the victims too.”
@Bwater3590: “Some of you won’t realise how bad EFCC raid of Hotel is until the day your company will send you to Ibadan and EFCC will raid the hotel you lodge, your company will see you on Channels TV the next day being paraded as a Yahoo boy because you are with a laptop!
Your eye go clear.”
@Naija_PR: “EFCC raids Parktonian Hotel Lagos, arrests 30 people for alleged fraud.
“The operatives were alleged to have gained entry into the occupants’ rooms by seizing the master cards from the management of the hotel at gunpoint.”
@IdorenyinEtuk5: “How do they hope to use underhanded means to fight corruption? In the end, innocent people are violated, even the guilty ones have the right to human dignity which is guaranteed under the 1999 constitution.
“I very much support all fight against corruption but we are in the 21st century and can’t be acting this way. We must maintain the right to human dignity even when we are confident a person is guilty, after all, whoever they’re looking for is presumed innocent until found guilty.”
@Dann_10: “This is why they lose cases and most times it’s based on technicality. They end up being sued for their anyhowness. No court warrant, just gestapo vibes, and action.”
@valntynno: “This is not the only hotel in Lagos that this same act by the EFCC took place.”
The Commission was also on the trend following the court’s rejection of its plea to play video evidence against ex-NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu.
Buhari
This trend was more of mentions – syncing news, gossips, criticisms, and every discussion that Buhari is mentioned.
Some of them are captured below:
@Vanguardngrnews: “(BREAKING) Alleged genocide, crimes against humanity: Akintoye, Igboho, 49 Yoruba groups’ drag Buhari, Malami, others before ICC.”
@daily_trust: “President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in five new Permanent Secretaries at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.”
@Xpsilver1: “Killings: Igboho, Akintoye, 49 Yoruba Groups Drag Buhari, Malami To International Criminal Court .
“How many times will they drag one man to court? Seems this govt is above international law too. Everyone keeps dragging one person to court and yet no action has been taken.”
@ProNigeria1: “Who will educate these clowns? Buhari didn’t commit crimes ICC can try! It’s this illiterate Igboho who committed crimes against humanity; of aggression, etc. No human right covers you to keep an armoury & fight war against a sovereign state. They keep deceiving you to life JAIL!”
@drpenking: “Gala is now N60. Buhari has crossed the line.”
@StephenIkechuk4: “They lost because Buhari spoke with the players on phone — they might soon start selling this line.
“They also forgot to tell us that a Fulani man from Borno state is the brain behind the NBBF, and almost all funders of NBFF are either SW or North/all.
Crazy lots!”
@mrswitch18: “I trust my Buhari he will make sure he deals with Israel in the language dey understand.”
@MobilePunch: “BREAKING: Katsina police announce road closure for Buhari’s Thursday visit.”
Israel
The State of Israel came up on the trend apparently due to the opening of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Tel Aviv.
The trend also attracted attention in Nigeria as mixed reactions continue to trail the arrest of three Israeli filmmakers over alleged ties with separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Tuesday.
Some say it is unfair for the Federal Government to arrest the Israelis, while allowing Sheikh Gumi, who according to them, had openly affirmed his ties with bandits, to walk freely.
Meanwhile, others have validated the arrest of Rudy Rochman, Noam Leibman, and French-Israeli journalist E. David Benaym in Ogidi village, Anambra State, as a step towards ensuring national security in view of the fact that the three persons were foreigners whose presence in a politically volatile region was suspicious.
According to them, the arrest became even more necessary, especially that IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have consistently claimed to be Jews and have professed allegiance to the Jewish state.
They say the presence of the filmmakers in the Southeast cannot be overlooked, considering the high level of insecurity and arms proliferation in Nigeria.
Abuja
The engagements below are collected under the Abuja trend:
@PSJNigeria: “#HappeningNow at Riyom LGA in Plateau state; women block Jos -Abuja Federal highway to protest the incessant killing in their communities.”
@daily_trust: “Those Abuja politicians are not doing anything to us other than bringing mischief. I know some leaders of the state who are busy bringing criminals to the state. I will talk when the time comes. We’ll prove tough but certainly, we are not afraid of them – Bauchi Gov.”
@ulxma: “In 2015, some female Nigerian athletes were slapped, beaten, and whipped with ropes at a training camp in Abuja. Chika Chukwumerije, the man who assaulted them, is leading the Nigerian Taekwondo continent to the 2021 Olympics, despite being found guilty by a panel…”
@MGcfr: “The People’s Democratic Party Northern Governors forum has described the intimidation tactics of the APC led Federal Government as undemocratic and unacceptable. Rising from their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Governors said the persistent push to make Nigeria a one party State must be stopped in the interest of democracy. The meeting was attended by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Senator Abdulkadir Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.”
@TheGuildng: “FG suspends works on Abuja healthcare centre.”
@SmileandMobile: “ECOWAS to Launch Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) Network in Abuja.”
Lagos
This trend also is a collection of social media mentions involving Lagos, as could be seen below:
@SaharaReporters: “How Military Men Killed Three Traders In Lagos Spare Parts Market Over N200.”
@instablog9ja: “BREAKING: The management of University of Lagos has asked students to vacate hostels on campus over COVID concerns.”
@OgbeniDipo: “Really sad and unfortunate that the Nigerian Men’s Basketball Team is raising funds for training and logistics via Gofundme. Then, their kits were seized by Customs at the Lagos seaport. I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed for us.”
@MobilePunch: “Police arrest 1,320 suspects, recover 110 arms in Lagos.”
@Tori_Nigeria: “Gov Sanwo-Olu Mourns Lagos APC Treasurer.”
@Gidi_Traffic: “The police in Lagos State have established a “conspiracy” in the circumstances surrounding the killing of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga.The police said it has also arrested more suspects in connection with the murder as the slain Utaga was drugged before he was killed.”
@ejesgist: “BREAKING!! Tension As New COVID-19 Cases Hit Lagos Very Hard, UNILAG Shuts Student Hostels Indefinitely, Approves Virtual Classes.”
Compiled by: Philip Obin
