* Asiwaju has no hand in Lekki shooting, says group
Lagos was near asphyxiation on Wednesday, following the mayhem unleashed on its socio-economic psyche by rampaging street urchins.
Roving in fearsome groups, they descended on several landmark public and private property, destroying same with vengeful anger.
It was the extreme dimension of the youth protests against police brutality, which turned bloody on Tuesday night with the shooting by the military at the Lekki Toll Gate.
Hours after the shooting, Lagos was at the cusps of the bad and the ugly, as hoodlums, who apparently hijacked the peaceful protests, went on a destruction spree.
Some groups went after businesses they perceived as either owned or being promoted by the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Believing it to be owned by the former governor, the hoodlums attacked and set fire to a section of the head office of Television Continental (TVC) at Ikosi, Ketu area of the State. The attack happened while a delightful morning programme – Your View – hosted by a team of young ladies, was being aired, forcing it to end abruptly.
Next on the radar of the urchins was The Nation Newspaper, with corporate office along Fatai Atere Way, Ladipo area of Mushin. They also torched a section, while apparently aiming to raze the entire structure.
As with TVC, the newspaper company is perceived as a component of the media empire of the former governor.
A statement by the management signed by Editor, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, said the invaders “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.”
It added: “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,” the statement concluded.
Also, Oriental Hotel, a Five-Star resort at Lekki Phase One, came under the same attack. The former governor is believed to have links with the hospitality business, a perception that had hitherto been debunked.
In a related development, a political pressure group – Tinubu Vanguard – has urged Nigerians to exercise restraint amid the civil strife rocking the country.
The Director-General of the group, Dr Johnny Benjamin, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Benjamin advised that amicable resolution of issues around the protests would engender peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
He, however, absolved Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) of culpability in the violence.
“The accusation making the rounds in the social media accusing Tinubu of ordering the shooting at the toll gate in Lagos is false,” he said.
He had earlier commended Nigerian youths for the very worthy #EndSARS protest and called on the angry youths to suspend the protests and wait for the government to address the issues raised.
“It is worthy to note here that he has several establishments that provide employment to millions of youths in our country,” he said, expressing sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives in the struggle.