Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, 21st March 2021.
1. Panic As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Ortom’s Convoy
The convoy of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State was reportedly attacked by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Saturday.
Naija News gathered that the suspected herdsmen opened fire on the governor’s convoy at Tyo Mu community along Makurdi/Gboko road, few miles from Makurdi.
It was learned that the governor was on his way to Makurdi after attending an event, when the suspected herdsmen attacked his convoy.
However, the gunmen were repelled by the security men attached to the governor.
2. Nigerian Military Speaks On Soldiers ‘Arrested’ By Sunday Igboho
The Nigerian Military on Saturday denied claims by Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho that he captured some soldiers sent to spy on him.
The Defence Headquarters in a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General B.E Onyeuko in which it reacted to the viral video claiming some spies sent by the military were captured by the men of the freedom fighter denied any link with some of those arrested.
The statement also added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has a constitutional responsibility to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and won’t abandon its responsibilities to start spying on a single person.
3. 2023: Doyin Okupe Reveals Why North Will Not Support Igbo Presidency
A former presidential media aide, Doyin Okupe who served during the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan has given reasons why the North will not support the South to produce the President in 2023.
Okupe in a series of tweets on Saturday alleged that the North is yet to forgive the Igbos over the happenings of the 1966 coup during which many high-profile persons including the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello were killed.
According to him, the North still views the coup as an ‘Igbo Coup’ and would therefore not support the region to produce the next president of Nigeria.
4. Ganduje Finally Breaks Silence On Dollar Videos, Vows To Deal With Those Behind Them
The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has finally spoken on the trending video where he was allegedly seen stuffing dollars in his pocket.
Recall that Daily Nigerian in 2018 released series of videos showing the governor allegedly collecting kickbacks from a contractor.
The Kano House of Assembly set up a committee to investigate the issue.
While answering a question, Ganduje said the videos are fake and that an underground investigation is ongoing on the matter.
5. How Obasanjo Rescued Me From Wrongful Indictment – Onnoghen
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen (retd.), has revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo freed him from wrongful accusation and indictment during his administration.
The former CJN said his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2019 was not the first time, adding that he faced a similar issue during the tenure of Obasanjo.
He spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of a book titled ‘Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, Practice, Procedure, Forms, and Precedents,’ written by Chief Ogwu James Onoja (SAN).
Onnoghen, who was sacked form office in 2019 said a commission of inquiry was set up back then without due process and that he was indicted of wrongdoing.
6. Boko Haram Kills Soldier Abducted During Raid On Military Base In Borno
The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly killed a military officer captured on Tuesday during the raid on a military base in Damasak town, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
The development was confirmed by a military source to SaharaReporters on Saturday.
The soldier, whose name is yet-to-be-disclose has now joined numerous military officers who have been killed by terrorists in the North-East region.
In a video shared online by Amaq News Agency, a news outlet linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the insurgents killed many other soldiers in the attack.
7. 2023: Doyin Okupe Releases Agenda, Says He’ll Be A One-Term President
Former Presidential media aide, Doyin Okupe has disclosed that if given the opportunity to become the President of Nigeria in 2023, he would only use one term.
Okupe made the promise in a series of tweets from his Twitter handle on Friday where he also spoke on other issues related to the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
Naija News recalls Okupe had in February 2021, declared his intention to run for President in 2023, saying he will run if insecurity facing the country doesn’t end by then.
8. Assassination Attempt: Wike Reveals What Will Happen To Nigeria If Ortom Is Killed
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has threatened that Nigeria may cease to exist if Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom is assassinated.
Wike added that the federal government should be held responsible if anything happens to the Benue State Governor.
Wike made the submission in his reaction to Saturday’s assassination attempt on Ortom’s life when he visited his farm.
9. Government Knows How We Get Weapons – Ex-Bandits
A former bandit on Friday disclosed that government is aware of how they acquire their weapons used in terrorising communities in the North.
The ex-bandit while reacting to the no-fly zone decision in Zamfara State dismissed the reports that choppers fly arms into the state for bandits.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2nd of March declared Zamfara State as a no-fly zone to stop “arms for gold” deals going on, which further fuel banditry in that part of the country.
10. Japan Bans Foreigners From Watching Olympics
Japan has decided that no foreigner will enter the country in the name of watching this year’s Olympics.
The decision was made during a virtual meeting between the various stakeholders on Saturday.
The Internation Organising Committee (IOC), says it is unhappy with the move but understands that Japan has no choice.
“We have to take decisions that may need sacrifice from everybody,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.