Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday

1. ‘Your Govt Has Failed Nigerians’ – Kukah Knocks Buhari Over Worsening Insecurity

The Diocese of Sokoto Bishop, Matthew Kukah, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over the worsening insecurity in the country.

In his Easter message on Sunday, the vocal cleric said the Buhari-led government has polarised the nation into ethnic and religious lines and has slid into hibernation mode.

Kukah said the country had been divided by politicians and evildoers who do to want the country to grow and develop, adding that it seems like the presidency does not know that Nigeria is troubled.

He asserted that the greatest challenge for Nigeria was not even the 2023 general elections, but the process of reconstructing the nation and reconciling the people.

2. Ex-Governor Yari, Marafa Dump APC For PDP

Former Governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has ahead of the 2023 general elections, dumped the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The opposition party also received the membership of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa in Gusau on Sunday.

The development was confirmed to newsmen in an announcement by PDP Chairman in the State, Rt Colonel Bala Mande.

Speaking briefly after a stakeholders’ meeting in Gusau, the state capital today, Col. Bala Mande said they had sat down and finalized the issue of the defection of the duo.

According to him, Yari and Marafa have agreed to work for the development of the party at all levels.

3. “There Will Be Restoration” – Osinbajo Prays For Nigeria

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday told Nigerians not to be discouraged as he prayed for everything that appears dead in the country to receive life and restoration.

Professor Osinbajo added while speaking with state house correspondents after the Easter Sunday service at the State House Chapel, Aso Villa, Abuja that Nigerians should not despair but should hope for a better tomorrow just as Easter has taught humanity.

He stated that the country will surely overcome any challenges it may be facing as there is light at the end of what presently seems like a dark tunnel.

The Vice President emphasized the significance of Easter Celebration, saying just like the resurrection of Jesus Christ restored hope, there is the confidence that Nigeria will receive restoration in every area the country is suffering deprivation.

4. Terrorists Release Abuja Monarch, Two Others After 18 Days In Captivity

Bandit terrorists have released the traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi.

The monarch was kidnapped from his palace 18 days ago alongside two residents of the community.

In an interview on Sunday, Shamidozhi said he was released by the bandits on Saturday evening.

The monarch added that his subjects, Ahmad Joel and his daughter, Precious Joel, were also released.

The monarch said the bandits collected N4 million as ransom before he was released, adding that gunmen also collected N2. 5 million as ransom before freeing his two subjects.

Shamidozhi disclosed that his family members, relatives and friends negotiated seriously with the terrorists before he could regain his freedom.

5. Anambra: We Will Never Cede Our Homeland To Criminals – Soludo Sends Warning To Unknown Gunmen

The Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo has warned gunmen causing havoc in the state to turn a new leaf before it is too late.

Speaking on Sunday in his Easter message to the people of Anambra, Governor Soludo said the gunmen terrorizing the state should take advantage of the amnesty offered by the government and turn in their guns before it’s too late.

He added that no portion or section of Anambra State will be allowed to be overrun by terrorists and other criminals, assuring the people of the readiness of the government to secure their lives and property.

The Governor made the submission in a statement containing his Easter message which was made available to newsmen by his media aid, Joe Anatune.

6. Osinbajo: Tinubu Is The Real Betrayer, He Must Account For Alpha Beta Ownership – Bode George

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his loyalist have been warned to stop describing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a betrayer.

Following Osinbajo’s declaration of his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, loyalists and groups in support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition have continuously attacked the VP.

These individuals and group have tagged Osinbajo as a betrayer, going as far as likening the nation’s number two citizen to Judas Iscariot who betrayed the Biblical Jesus and Akintola who betrayed the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo – in reference to the 1962 Action Group crisis which was a result of the struggle for power between two political leaders of the Western Region and Action Group (AG), Chief Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Speaking in an interview with Independent on Saturday, Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused Bola Tinubu of being the real betrayer.

7. Bandit Terrorists Demand N2m Ransom For Each Victim Kidnapped In Niger State

Bandit terrorists who launched a daring attack on Niger State and kidnapped several residents have started contacting the families of their victims to demand the payment of ransom.

The bandits are demanding the sum of N2m on each of their victims before they would release their abductees.

Bandit terrorists killed an officer of the Nigerian Police Force in a Niger State community.

The fresh attack according to reports, happened on Saturday, April 16 in Gwada, a community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the State.

The terrorists invaded the community in their hundreds, killing a police officer and four other persons.

The area attacked is reportedly about 20km away from Minna, the State capital.

A yet to be ascertained number of people were kidnapped and also an unconfirmed number of cattle were whisked away by the gunmen during the attack.

Hours after the attack, a lady identified as Theresa who is a relative of one of the victims told TheCable that the gunmen have contacted her niece’s parents and demanded the sum of N2 million.

She added that the terrorists have similarly contacted other families and made the same demand.

8. ‘Unacceptable’ – Amaechi’s Ally Rubbishes Osinbajo’s Presidential Ambition

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has lampooned Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo for joining the the the 2023 presidential race.

The VP’s expression of interest in the seat of power, according to Eze, is a show of betrayal to the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

APC National leader, Tinubu could be termed as a political godfather to Osinbajo.

The former Governor of Lagos State is believed to have in 2014 nominated Osinbajo to be the running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Before the nomination, Osinbajo had served eight years as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos when Tinubu was the governor between 1999 and 2007.

Osinbajo had in several interviews earlier, denied having an interest in succeeding his principal in 2023.

The Vice President, however, ended speculations last Monday when he announced he will be running for the office of the president in the forthcoming elections.

Reacting in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday, Eze said the declaration of Osinbajo “is a clear tale of treachery perpetrated against Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Eze who claimed to have read through the VP’s speech in writing, said his reasons for joining the race are flimsy and watery.

He said he found it a reasonable obligation to let the world know that such declaration smacks of a very perceptible tincture of political infidelity against his all-time benefactor, Tinubu, who has nurtured a lifelong aspiration for the presidency.

8. Troops Kill Five ISWAP Leaders, 70 Terrorists In Lake Chad

Troops of the Nigerian Air Force have killed at least seventy Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and injured many others.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, the ISWAP terrorists were killed at Tumbun Rego and a logistics camp about two kilometres Northwest of Tumbun Rego, in the Lake Chad region.

Gabkwet said an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform discovered a large number of terrorists in their camps.

He said the operation, which was conducted on April 14, 2022, was carried out by Operation Hadin Kai and Nigerien Air Force under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Gabkwet disclosed that the airstrike operation led to the elimination of five key ISWAP leaders, including one of the most wanted terrorists, Ibn Usman.

He named the four other slain ISWAP leaders as Hani Abdullahi, Abakar Shuwa, Abu Jibrillah and Abu Ali.

9. Many Killed As Unknown Gunmen, Security Operatives Clash In Imo

Unknown gunmen, on Saturday night to Sunday, engaged security operatives in a fierce gun battle in some parts of Orlu and Orsu Local Government Areas of Imo state.

It was gathered that fire fight forced residents to scamper for safety as some ran into their homes while others fled into bushes.

According to report, security operatives acting on intelligence reports had stormed the area after getting information that the gunmen were regrouping to launch an attack.

An intelligence source told Vanguard on Sunday that a guest house, Inland guest house or ukwu Aki guest house was set ablaze during the clash.

While stating that an unspecified number of people have lost their lives, the source revealed that the affected areas were Amanachi, Awo-idemili in the Orsu Local Government Area of the state.

10. Reverse Your Decision To Pardon Nyame, Dariye – SERAP Tells Buhari

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the presidential pardon granted to former Governors of Plateau and Taraba, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame respectively.

SEARAP was reacting to reports of the prerogative of mercy granted to the two former governors by the Council of State presided by President Buhari on Thursday.

In a letter dated 16 April 2022 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the president to immediately review and withdraw the pardon granted to the former governors who are in jail for corruption.

It urged Buhari to propose a constitutional amendment to the National Assembly to reform the provisions on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

SERAP stated that the amendment will make the presidential pardon more transparent, consistent and compatible with Nigeria’s international anti-corruption obligations.