Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Truetells Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 12th May 2021
1. Buhari Approves New Security Measures For South East, South South
In order to curb the incessant attacks in the South East and South-South, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new security measures for the two regions of the country.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after a security meeting on Tuesday, acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, said the decision was taken after due consultation.
He added that this was one of the outcomes of the series of security meetings held in the last eleven days and concluded on Tuesday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also speaking with reporters, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), said the President has approved a memo on the control of drugs,
Monguno noted that drugs are enablers of insecurity, adding that they must be controlled.
2. Those Attacking Security Operatives Are Asking For War – FG Blows Hot
The federal government has warned those attacking security operatives and formations across the country that they are asking for war.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the submission on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos where he addressed issues of insecurity across the nation noting that it has attained a dangerous trend.
While condemning the attacks on security personnel and formations, Mohammed warned that the growing trend of such attacks is worrisome and needs to stop.
The Minister said if the perpetrators don’t stop, they will be met with overwhelming force from the government.
3. Quoted Out Of Context: FG Speaks On Fresh COVID-19 Restrictions
The Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has denied media reports that it has “introduced or re-introduced’’ new restrictions on COVID-19.
Recall that the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 had on Monday announced the enforcement of a curfew across the country in a move it said was to forestall a possible new wave of the pandemic.
“The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and it will run through till 4:00 a.m.,” the committee stated.
But speaking at a meeting with online publishers in Lagos, Nigeria’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed stated that there were no new restrictions.
He said that the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 only reiterated existing regulations to control spread of the disease.
According to Lai Mohammed, the only thing that was newly introduced was that anyone, including Nigerians travelling from Brazil, Turkey or India, must go through compulsory quarantine.
4. Southern Governors Meet In Delta, Send Strong Message To Buhari
The Southern Governors Forum at the end of its meeting held in Delta State on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the security situation in the country and speak directly to Nigerians.
The Governors also noted that the activities of armed herdsmen in the southern part of the country is a serious security challenge that needs urgent attention as innocent citizens are being killed and their properties destroyed.
They also called on the Buhari administration to take bold steps on the issue of restructuring while declaring their support for state police.
These decisions were part of the 12-point communique issued and read by the chairman of the forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State at the end of its four hours meeting held in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
5. We Are Ready To Prosecute 400 Suspects For Funding Terrorism – FG
The Federal Government has announced plans to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism in the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos where he addressed issues of insecurity across the nation.
He also reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the menace of insurgency, banditry, and other security threats across the country.
The Minister also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies, who face the added task of having to watch their backs while working to protect others.
6. Most Nigerians Are Not Happy With Buhari Govt – Okorocha
Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has said that more than 75 percent of Nigerians are happy with the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
Speaking on Tuesday when he hosted a group of physically challenged persons who visited him at his Unity House office in Abuja, Okorocha said most Nigerians are not happy with the present situation of things in the country.
The Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly noted that “nothing productive can come out of this percentage of the populace who do not daily find joy in the scheme of things in the country.”
The former governor however enjoined Nigerians to contribute their quota to improving the socio-economic situation of the country.
7. FG Still In Charge Of Security, Has Capacity To Crush Bandits, Other Criminals – Lai Mohammed
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has declared that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the federal government is fully in charge of the nation’s security.
He added that no one should be fooled that bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminals have overwhelmed the government’s ability to secure the nation.
This is as he boasted that the government and security agencies have the capacity to crush the bandits and other criminals causing insecurity in Nigeria.
Truetells Nigeria reports Mohammed made the submission during a press conference on Tuesday where he reacted to suggestions that the government is overwhelmed and doesn’t have a clue on how to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.
The Minister noted that while the government recognizes the enormous security challenges facing the nation, it also has the capacity to defeat all forms of insecurity confronting Nigeria regardless of the name by which it is called.
8. Father Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry Shut Down
The Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka, has announced the shutdown of the Adoration Ministry for a period of one month.
Truetells Nigeria understands the development may not be unconnected to the earlier directive given to him by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga.
Recall that Mbaka made headlines last week after he asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign and mocked Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
Also, his church members staged a protest against his alleged disappearance following a row with the Presidency.
But in a statement on Tuesday, the ministry informed members of the church and Nigerians that Fr. Mbaka was proceeding on a one-month private prayer retreat.
9. Lai Moh’d Denies Blaming Murtala/Obasanjo For Nigeria’s Insecurity
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has debunked reports that he blamed the regime of Gen. Murtala Mohammed/Olusegun Obasanjo for Nigeria’s insecurity.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Lai Mohammed described the reports as “fake news and disinformation’’.
Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos during a meeting with Online Publishers, the minister clarified reports on what he said when he recently featured on Channels Television’s News programme.
“It is amazing at times how people interpret ones’ opinions and views in a very negative sense,” Lai Mohammed said.
10. Nigerian Army Reacts As Soldier Kills Water Melon Seller In Zamfara
The Nigerian Army has disclosed that an investigation has been opened into the alleged killing of a watermelon seller in Zamfara State by one of its personnel.
It was gathered that trouble started after the soldier refused to pay for the goods he bought from the fruit seller which were worth N300.
The fruit seller, identified as Abdulkadir Musa, was shot dead after demanding the soldier make payment for the fruit he bought.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima said the killing of the fruit seller was regrettable and condemned.
Though he didn’t reveal the identity of the soldier involved in the saga, Yerima noted that the matter is already under investigation and justice will be served.
He also commiserated with the family of the dead fruit seller.