Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 21st June 2021
1. PDP Tackles Buhari, Accuse President Of Making ‘Dangerous’ Statements
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of making statements that show him as a dictator instead of a democratic leader.
The major opposition party further alleged that the President’s statements are arrogant and capable of inciting war in Nigeria.
The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan warned President Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop infringing on the constitutional rights of Nigerians to demand for restructuring.
The statement noted that while the PDP believes in the unity of Nigeria, citizens have every right to demand better governance and an end to insecurity affecting the nation as a whole.
It also accused Buhari and the APC of going back on several promises made to Nigerians before assuming power and now showing arrogant and dictatorial tendencies, noting that 2023 is around the corner.
2. Army Rescues More Kidnapped Kebbi Students, Kill Bandit
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the rescue of more students of the Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State who were kidnapped by bandits on Thursday.
Naija News reports one teacher and three students have been freshly rescued by the military from the custody of the bandits.
This development was confirmed to Naija News in a statement on Sunday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu.
The statement noted that one teacher and three students were rescued by the military on Saturday while one of the bandits was killed and some items including motorcycles and handsets were recovered.
3. Fashola Reveals When 2nd Niger Bridge Will Be Completed
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has reaffirmed that the construction of the Second Niger Bridge will be completed in 2022.
The minister gave the assurance at a NAN forum in Abuja on Sunday, to mark the sixth year anniversary of the present administration.
According to Fashola, the bridge, which will serve as a major link between South East and South West Nigeria would be delivered between the second and third quarters of 2022.
4. NAF Bombs ISWAP Chief Responsible For Boko Haram’s Shekau’s Killing
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday bombed dozens of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Lamboa in Kaga Lga of Borno State.
It was gathered that the multiple airstrikes conducted by Alpha-Jets, L-39 and MI-35 helicopters hit a notorious terrorist, Modu Sulum, ISWAP Logistics Commander, and several others.
Sulum, who took part in the elimination of Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, was responsible for the destruction of power transmission towers at Malanari along Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway and attacks on travellers in Auno and Jakana.
The insurgents, in a convoy of eight gun trucks, had invaded Lamboa preparatory to attacks in the Mainok axis but the ground and air troops scuttled their mission after the NAF reconnaissance platform hovered over the location to confirm the targets.
Confirming the attack, NAF Director of Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said of the eight terrorist gun trucks sighted by the surveillance team, the aircraft took out six and an unconfirmed number of terrorists.
5. ECOWAS: Libya Remains Major Threat To Africa – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has criticized the United Nations (UN) Resolution which expelled all foreign fighters in Libya, without first ensuring that they were disarmed.
He stated this on Saturday while speaking at the 59th Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana.
According to the Nigerian president, Libya remains a major threat to Africa.
He accused the United Nations of not adequately engaging neighbouring countries to put in place modalities for containing the non-state actors.
Buhari stated that though the UN action was aimed at the sustenance of peace in Libya, it has created newer threats to peace and security in parts of the continent.
6. JAMB De-lists 25 CBT Centres, Issues Fresh Directive To 2021 UTME Candidates
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted 25 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country.
Naija News reports that the CBT centres were delisted for poor performance at the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held nationwide on Saturday, June 19.
This was made known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja, by the spokesperson for JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
7. Twitter Ban: Lai Mohammed, NBC Sued Over Directive To Broadcast Stations
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the federal government over its directive to all television and radio stations not to use Twitter.
It is asking the court to stop the federal government and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed from using the alleged unlawful directive to all TV and radio stations not to use Twitter.
The suit followed the order by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) asking TV and radio stations to “suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately”, and telling them to delete ‘unpatriotic’ Twitter after the social media giant was banned in the country for deleting President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet.
8. Biafra: We Are Not Silent About IPOB Threats – South East Governors
Leaders and Governors in the Southeast part of Nigeria have refuted claims that they have been unbothered about the agitation for secession by some youths in the region.
Naija News reports that the South leaders have come under heavy criticism for not making a categorical statement on the orgy of violence associated with members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
But the governors and various leaders of the region met on Saturday in Enugu State to lay out plans on curbing the current security crisis rocking the South East.
Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, Ebonyi State Governor and the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, faulted the notion that the leaders have been unbothered about the threats of IPOB.
9. Borrowing Is Not A Sin – Fashola Defends Buhari Govt Over Loans
Nigeria’s Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has defended the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government’s various borrowing.