Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Truetells Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 15th July 2021
1. Police Announce Road Closure Ahead Of Buhari’s Visit To Katsina
The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has commenced security beef up in the state in preparation for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit.
Truetells Nigeria understands that President Buhari would be visiting Katsina on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
As part of security measures, the state police command on Wednesday announced the scheduled closure of some major highways in the state. The affected highways are Dutsinma-Kankara and Dutsinma-Tsaskiya.
Also to be closed are adjoining roads to them. The closure as contained in the announcement will be from 1PM to 6PM on Thursday.
The command also announced restrictions on the movements of commuters, cyclists and herders during the period.
2. UNILAG Asks Students To Vacate Hostels Over COVID Scare
The University of Lagos authorities have asked students to vacate hostels on campus over COVID-19 scare.
It was gathered that the management of the school reached the decision at a senate meeting which was held on Wednesday.
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, had summoned an emergency senate meeting over the potential third wave of COVID-19.
The management of UNILAG at the meeting resolved to put lectures on hold till July 26, where it would continue through virtual means.
The University had earlier confirmed that the medical centre had recorded an increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
3. House Of Reps Receive Electoral Act Amendment Bill
The House of Representatives on Wednesday received a report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on a bill to amend the Electoral Act.
Recall that alleged details of the report had flooded social media in recent times.
This led the leadership of the House to insist it was yet to receive the Committee report.
The report was laid before the House at plenary by the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Aisha Jibril Dukku.
4. Unknown Gunmen Abduct Kogi Traditional Ruler
The Adogu of Eganyi in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi, Alhaji Mohammed Adembe, has been abducted by unknown gunmen.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the abduction was confirmed to newsmen by the police spokesman in the state, DSP William Aya.
According to the police spokesperson, Adembe was kidnapped at about 5:20 pm on the Okene -Eganyi Road.
He said the traditional ruler was returning to his community from Okene, also in Kogi, when he was kidnapped.
5. Bandits Are Businessmen, FG Can’t Treat Them Like IPOB, Others – Igbokwe Declares
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe has declared that bandits are different from secessionists.
According to him, the federal government can’t go after and attack bandits and kidnappers like groups and individuals such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
He explained that bandits are only ‘business’ people who might not even be Nigerians but secessionists are Nigerians who are calling for war against the country based on their actions.
Igbokwe was quoted to have made the submission during an interview with BBC Pidgin.
He added that the Supreme Court does not even allow discussions regarding secession at all.
6. Supreme Court Bans FG From Ceding Oil Wells To Imo
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the federal government of Nigeria and any of its agencies to desist from ceding oil wells at Akri and Mbede communities, to Imo State.
The order follows an ex parte motion argued by Mr Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.
The apex court ruled that the ceding of about 17 oil wells to Imo State should be put on hold, pending the determination of a suit brought before the court by the Rivers State Government.
The Rivers State government through its Attorney General had dragged the AGF and the Attorney of Imo State before the Supreme Court over the disputed oil wells, Naija News understands.
The apex court also barred the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation from approving, implementing, or giving effect in any manner.
7. Insecurity: Bishop Kukah Reports Buhari Govt To US Congress
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah has slammed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration over religious crisis in Nigeria.
The outspoken cleric noted that although the attack on Christians in Nigeria has been happening for many years now, it has risen in the last 10 years.
Bishop Kukah stated this during a virtual presentation with the US Congress in Washington on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria by Islamic extremist groups in the Northern Region of Nigeria.
8. Police Arrest More Suspects Over Killing Of Super TV Boss, Ataga
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested more suspects in connection with the killing of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga.
The Lagos Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu gave the update, adding that they have established a conspiracy theory into circumstances surrounding the killing of the socialite.
He made the disclosure during a briefing and parade of over 1,000 suspects at the Command headquarters in Ikeja.
The Police said Utaga was said to have been drugged before he was killed.
Odumosu also denied the widespread insinuation that the police were trying to create a soft landing for the prime suspect.
9. Sunday Igboho, 50 Others Drag Buhari, Malami, Buratai, Others To ICC
Wanted Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, the leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Banji Akintoye and other 49 Yoruba Self-Determination Groups have dragged President Muhammadu Buhari to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Truetells Nigeria reports that others dragged to the ICC alongside Buhari are the Minister of Justice and Antoney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and former Inspectors General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Muhammed Adamu.
The ICC has also formally acknowledged receipt of the 27-page petition filed by the groups.
In the petition, signed by several leaders of Yoruba self-determination groups and submitted at the ICC on their behalf by an international lawyer, Aderemilekun Omojola, the Nigerian leaders were accused of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Yoruba people of Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Okun Land in Kogi, and Kwara states.
The statement was made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the Communications Manager to Akintoye, Maxwell Adeleye.
10. Why We Met Buhari For Dinner Party – Lawan
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has disclosed that lawmakers met with President Muhammadu Buhari to bring together the arms of government that had worked so closely.
Recall that Buhari had on Tuesday night held a dinner with 109 Senators and 360 House of Representatives members at the Presidential Villa.
Speaking at the dinner, Lawan pointed out that since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, no government was so challenged by lack of funds and myriads of other challenges facing the country.
The senate president stated that members of the National Assembly worked together despite belonging to different political parties to ensure they were able to deliver when necessary.
According to Lawan, they worked as Nigerians and as people who were there to ensure the good governance of the country.