ENDSARS
#EndSARS: Beyonce, Rihanna, other world celebs react to shootings of protesters in Lagos
Celebrities around the world have reacted to the shootings of #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
International celebrities have reacted to the shootings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
The celebrities which include Hip-hop stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, ChanceTheRapper, football stars like Rio-Ferdinand, and Nigerian-born American hip-hop sensation, Jidenna took to Twitter and Instagram to react to the gruesome shootings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters in Lekki, Lagos State by security operatives.
Optics
The #EndSARS peaceful protest in the past 24 hours has escalated in Lagos State, due to agitations by the #EndSARS protesters on unmet demands, as protesters remained on the streets last night thus breaching the curfew imposed by the government.
Backstory
Videos and reports released on social media in the past 12 hours have revealed the gruesome sight of soldiers firing live rounds at peaceful #EndSARS protesters gathered at the Lekki toll plaza.
This, however, has led to reactions by Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora, and also foreigners public figures such as former US presidential aspirant, Hillary Clinton, and current US Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden.
READ: #EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu says trial of Surulere police officers has started, victims to testify next week
What they are saying
Beyonce stressed that there has to be an end to SARS, as she is heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria. She disclosed that there is an arrangement in place to support those protesting for a change, as she will be collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food and shelter to Nigerians protesters.
Rihanna emphasized in her post that, “It’s such a betrayal to the citizens as the very people put in place to protect are the ones Nigerians are most afraid of being murdered by.”
Nicki Minaj reiterated that the shooting of protesters in Nigeria is senseless and inhumane, while ChanceTheRapper called on the whole world to engage the #EndSARS protest, as firing squads mass murder young Nigerians.
READ: #EndSARS: Analyzing the economic prospects of another lockdown
Jidenna sent a message across to Africans in the diaspora. He called on them to amplify the #EndSARS protest, as Nigerians in their crew, class, sports teams, offices, playlists, films, hospitals, need them at the moment.
What you should know
The Nigerian Army Headquarters has, however, denied involvement in the shooting of peaceful EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll-gate even though video evidence suggests otherwise.
President Buhari is yet to make an official statement or address the citizens of the country on the ongoing #EndSARS protest since October 12 after disclosing the disbandment of the notorious SARS unit.
Business
ICPC Chairman reveals #EndSARS protests was financed with cryptocurrency
ICPC Chairman has revealed to the Nigerian Senate that the #EndSARS protest was largely funded with cryptocurrency.
The Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye has revealed to the Nigerian Senate that the #EndSARS protest was largely funded with cryptocurrency.
This is as he said there are strong indications that it could be used to fund Insurgency in the country.
According to a report from Vanguard, this disclosure was made by the ICPC Chairman, during an interactive session with Senate Joint Committee on Banking, ICT, Cybercrime and Capital Market led by Senator Uba Sani on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.
READ: ICPC uncovers N9.8 billion Government money hidden in Aso Savings
The Joint committee was mandated to look at the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban Cryptocurrency in Nigeria.
The ICPC boss while supporting the position of the CBN, said that the nature of operations of Cryptocurrency exposes it to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has said that the agency averted a $3million fraud linked to 20 bank accounts.
READ: ICPC moves against NDDC top management over corruption allegations, quizzes directors
Owasanoye further explained that the anti-graft agency currently has a number of cases linked to Cryptocurrency but is unable to track the suspects.
He brought the attention of the Senate to a period in 2018 when a number of globally rated financial institutions said their financial statements had been hacked with the perpetrators asking to be paid in Cryptocurrencies.
ICPC Chairman noted that the CBN as a regulator has the responsibility to ensure sound financial stability and it will be difficult to achieve in the case of Cryptocurrencies where the players are anonymous.
While sharing the experience of the Indian Supreme Court and how it ruled and admitted that it does not know what it is, he urged the Lawmakers to as a matter of urgency, take decisive action against Cryptocurrencies.
READ: Most powerful financial leader takes side with CBN, says Bitcoin is untrustworthy
What you should know
- It can be recalled that the CBN had directed the financial institutions to immediately close the accounts of such persons or entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges, warning of severe regulatory sanctions in the event of any breach of the directive.
- The apex bank warned the Deposit Money Banks, Non-Financial Institutions and other Financial Institutions against doing business in crypto and other digital assets.
- The latest directive is coming after the CBN had in 2018 stated that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and as such are illegal.
ENDSARS
#OccupyLekkiTollGate: Lagos Attorney-General explains large police presence at Lekki toll gate
Lagos Attorney-General has stated that the State does not support the abuse of peaceful protesters.
