Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday

Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday

1. Osinbajo Meets APC Governors In Abuja

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday, hosted governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in the Aso Rock Villa.

The meeting scheduled to kick off by 7.00 pm already had some of the Governors including Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun within the Vice President’s premises as early as 6.45 pm.

Others who arrived at the venue before 7 pm were Hope Uzodinma of Imo; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and the vehicle of Gboyega Oyetola of Osun who is believed to be represented by his deputy, Benedict Alabi as the Governor himself is said to be away in Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

Though the details of the meeting had not been revealed as at press time neither were journalists allowed into the venue, multiple sources claimed the meeting is expected to be used by Vice President Osinbajo to tell the Governors about his intention to join the 2023 presidential race and seek their support.

2. NDLEA Intercepts Over 100 Parcel Of Cocaine At Lagos Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday intercepted over hundred raps of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The agency confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday through its Media Director, Femi Babafemi.

The parcels of the hard drugs according to reports, were concealed in eight children’s duvets.

The drugs were reportedly imported by a 52-year-old Brazilian returnee, Akudirinwa Hilary Uchenna.

The suspect who hails from Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, was nabbed on Saturday 9th April at the D-Arrival Hall.

He is said to have just returned to Nigeria from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha aboard a Qatar Airline flight.

Uchenna, who claimed to be a carpenter, confessed he was to be paid N5million after successfully delivering the consignment in Lagos.

3. Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman In Abuja

Some yet to be identified gunmen have reportedly killed a chairman of the Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Abuja.

The sad development was confirmed to newsmen on Sunday by the Secretary of the herders’ union, Mohammed Usman.

Usman told the Nation that Adamu Aliyu who chairs the Gwagwalada Area Council chapter of the union was murdered on Thursday by the unknown assailants.

The MACBAN secretary further explained that Aliyu was killed alongside four others near Daku village in Dobi ward of the council.

Reports revealed that three persons were abducted during the raid while three others who sustained gunshot wounds are receiving treatment at the University of Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.

4. Kaduna Govt Reacts As Video Of Security Agents Parading Bandits Go Viral On The Internet

The Kaduna State government on Sunday said it is still consulting with security operatives handling various operations in the state over the social media video showing security operatives parading arrested bandits in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan explained that the government is yet to get feedback on the source and what the video is about.

He made this known in a statement on Sunday after the video went viral on the internet. He said once appropriate clarification is gotten from the security operatives, the information can be made available to members of the public.

5. Sunday Igboho Reveals When He Will Return To Nigeria

Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has vowed to return to Nigeria very soon.

Sunday Ighobo said he would be returning to the country to follow up with the terrorism case instituted against him by the Nigerian Government.

The activist asserted that the Yoruba struggle will remain until the killings and kidnappings in South West are curtailed and the perpetrators are arrested.

He made these known in a viral video alongside the leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Banji Akintoye and the deputy leader of the group, Prof. Wale Adeniran.

Igboho thanked those who stood by him during his trying period, especially, notable Yoruba leaders, legal counsel and his wife as well as family members.

6. Armed Robbers Invade Yinka Ayefele’s Radio Station In Ibadan

A popular radio station in Ibadan, Fresh FM 105.9, was attacked by three armed robbers on Sunday during a live transmission.

The radio station, owned by renowned gospel artiste, Yinka Ayefele, had to go off air for a while following the robbery attack.

It was gathered that the robbers who were fully armed stormed the station around 6:30 am while a gospel programme was on.

According to a staff of the radio station, the armed men could not gain entrance into the studio where the live programme was being aired.

He said the gunmen gained access to the station through the front door after they had restrained the security aides on duty.

It was learned that the gunmen took all mobile telephones and laptops computers belonging to the staff and also took away laptops and desktop computers belonging to the station.

7. Troops Raid Unknown Gunmen’s Camp In Anambra

The Nigerian military has raided a camp of unknown gunmen in Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The camp, which was raided on Saturday, belongs to gunmen who have been terrorizing the Aguata/Orumba Axis of the state for some weeks.

According to reports, the unknown gunmen were behind the attacks on Aguata Local Government Headquarters and Nnewi South Local Government Headquarters in the South-East state.

It was said that the military raided the camp and arrested several unknown gunmen, adding that the troops recovered several food items, stolen vehicles and numerous charms.

The joint task force made up of the Nigerian Army and Navy also raided the camp which also housed a shrine that the criminals use to prepare charms and swear oaths of secrecy.

8. The North Has Witnessed Peace Under APC, Buhari Gov’t – Rep

A member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Almustapha, said the Northeastern region of Nigeria has witnessed peace under President Muhammadu Buhari Government.

The lawmaker further noted that the APC administration have recorded some achievements in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

Al Mustapha, however, said there is much that is needed to be done, irrespective of the achievements.

“I think the North-East has witnessed relative peace for some time now, certainly, the situation is not the way it was in 2015 when the APC came into power,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that the Buhari-led Federal Government would succeed in its bid to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country.

According to him, Nigeria’s current challenges are signs of greatness, and the country can surmount them.

9. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Will Definitely Be Freed – Ezeife

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife has said the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will definitely be released very soon.

Ezeife stated this while reacting to the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that struck out eight out of the 15-count charges against Kanu on Friday.

Justice Binta Nyako struck out the eight-count charges because the proof of evidence did not link Kanu to the charges.

Justice Nyako delivered the ruling on a preliminary objection Kanu raised against all the charges.

The judge, therefore, fixed May 18, 2022, for a hearing for Kanu’s bail application.

Speaking after the judgement, Ezeife said the seven remaining charges leveled by the Federal Government against the IPOB leader would not stand the test of time.

The former governor urged supporters of the IPOB leader and lovers of freedom to remain calm and allow justice to prevail in Kanu’s trial.

10. FG Speaks On Importing Foreign Mercenaries To Fight Bandits

The Federal Government has rejected the call for the importation of foreign mercenaries to fight bandit terrorists.

Recall that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State had said that the state governors were ready to bring in foreign mercenaries to fight bandit terrorists if the federal government refuses to do the needful.

El-rufai’s statement follows the recent attacks and killings in Kaduna State including the attack on the International Airport as well as the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.

Speaking during a radio programme on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the government cannot just import mercenaries to fight bandits.

While expressing solidarity with the governor, the minister said El-rufai spoke out of a deep concern about the activities of the terrorists in his state.