Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 25th March 2021
1. Presidency Breaks Silence On Rift Between Buhari, Tinubu
The Presidency on Wednesday debunked the report making rounds on the alleged rift between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement titled “Alleged rift between President Buhari and Tinubu; handiwork of cynics.”
The presidential aide attributed the report of a rift between the two leaders to people he described as media mischief-makers.
2. Herdsmen Attack: Ortom Meets IGP Adamu In Abuja
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Wednesday met with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in Abuja.
This is according to a photo that was shared on the official Twitter handle of the Governor.
“Earlier today with @PoliceNG IG Mohammed Adamu after a meeting in Abuja,” Ortom captioned the photo.
Recall that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attempted to assassinate Ortom who was returning from his farm in the outskirt of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
3. Nigerian Senate Proceeds On Three Weeks Easter Break
The Nigerian Senate will on Thursday, adjourn plenary till April 13, 2021.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by Senate President Ahmad Lawan at the end of plenary on Wednesday.
According to Lawan, the break would commence Thursday and last till Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
The Senate President however revealed that standing committees of the Senate would continue to carry out their legislative work during the break period.
4. Lawmakers Are Not Representing Their People, Worsening Insecurity – Gumi
Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has accused lawmakers in the National Assembly of not representing the interest of their people and also contributing to the security issues in Nigeria.
Gumi in his statement on Wednesday said the lawmakers are not listening to the plights of their people who voted them into office.
The cleric stated this while speaking at a Zoom conference organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
5. Alake Of Egba Replies Those Who Threatened Him Over Creation Of Yoruba Nation
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has submitted that those criticizing him over what he said about the agitation for Yoruba Nation don’t understand him.
This is as he also stated that he won’t join issues with those who have threatened to attack him over his stand on the agitation and creation of Yoruba Nation.
It will be recalled that Oba Gbadebo had on Friday appealed to secessionists to have a rethink, saying “If Nigeria failed as a country, the entire black race had failed.”
Reacting in a viral video, Sunday Igboho’s spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki promised to send Oba Aremu Gbedebo to exile, warning that “we will break coconut on your head.”
Some others also took to social media platforms to condemn the position of the traditional ruler, with many viewing him as anti-Yoruba.
But the popular Monarch while reacting to the barrage of insults that have followed his declaration has now stated that he was misunderstood.
6. Buhari Trying To Fix Nigeria At His Own Leisure, Too Slow – Northern Elders
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has accused the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to fix Nigeria at his own leisure.
Speaking when featuring on Arise Television on Wednesday, spokesperson for NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said Buhari is too slow.
He stated that if he gets the opportunity to speak to President Buhari he would ask him to wake up to his responsibilities as the country is falling apart.
7. JAMB Announces Date To Start Selling 2021 UTME/DE Application Forms
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday announced that registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry examination will begin on Thursday, 8th April.
According to the JAMB Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin who made the announcement, the sale of forms will end on Saturday, 15th May 2021.
He added that the UTME itself would hold from Saturday, 5th to Saturday, 19th June 2021.
The spokesperson said the Governing Board of JAMB took the decision after its meeting on the 22nd of March, 2021.
He also warned that there will be no extension of time for the sale of the UTME/DE application forms.
8. Nigerian Military Kills Scores Of Boko Haram Fighters And ‘Tax Collectors’
The Nigerian Military has killed scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists after interrupting them during an invasion of Magumeri in Borno State.
The terrorists were ambushed by the troops on Monday, 22nd March 2021.
Similarly, troops from another sector also burst Boko Haram fighters who were collecting taxes and levies from Villagers, farmers, and herdsmen in Geidam area of Yobe State.
It was reported that the troops led by Lt Col Ibrahim Bunu, acting on a credible tip-off, sighted scores of terrorists around 5pm on about 10 motorcycles heading towards Ngowala ward in Magumeri Local Government Area, ambushed and eliminated them.
They also recovered sophisticated weapons from the neutralized terrorists including AK 47 Rifles, Barreta assault rifles, hand grenade, and Bandolier.
The troops were assisted by members of the civilian joint task force according to a statement made available to Naija News by PR Nigeria on the matter.
9. Why FG Must Give Amnesty To Bandits, Like Niger Delta Militants – Sheikh Gumi
Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Ahmad Gumi has called on the federal government to grant amnesty to bandits to assure them of safety and rehabilitation when they drop their arms.
Naija News reports that he stated this on Wednesday during a virtual event hosted by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
Gumi said: “Nobody can justify criminality, what we are saying is what we saw in the forest is an ethnic war going on between people in the forest and the neighboring villages and hamlets. When the herder felt he has grievances and nobody was listening to him, he took on weapons.
“So when we went there and they saw a listening ear, they were ready to negotiate, tell us their grievances, and ready to incorporate into the society. So in such a case, I see no reason why we should not have a dialogue with them.”
10. Bandits Attack Abuja Community, Abduct Six Persons
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a community in Abuja, abducting no fewer than six persons.
According to Eons Intelligence, the attack occurred during the early hours of Wednesday at Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
It was gathered that the gunmen attacked residents at their homes around 3:00 a.m. and whisked them away with their victims to an undisclosed location.
The bandits abducted their victims from six different homes they invaded during the attack.
Confirming the attack on Wednesday, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Mariam Yusuf told PeoplesGazette that four people were abducted during the attack.