Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 6th April 2021
1. Police IG Confirms Those Who Attacked Imo Police Station, Prison
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Monday declared that members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) carried out the attack in Imo State.
He said in a statement on Monday that ESN, which is the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was responsible for the attack on the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison.
The Police boss’s statement comes after IPOB had initially denied media reports that it was responsible for the attack on Imo Police Headquarters and Correctional Centre.
Naija News had reported how gunmen attacked the two government facilities, razed their operational vehicles, and freed about 2,000 inmates.
In a statement on Monday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, the IGP insisted that IPOB’s ESN carried out the attack.
2. Five Abducted Kaduna College Students Regain Freedom
The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the release of five of the 39 kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State.
In a statement on Monday released by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the five students regained their freedom after 25 days in captivity.
The commissioner added that the five students were recovered by troops of the Nigerian Army on Monday afternoon.
Aruwan said the released students were undergoing a thorough medical check-up at a military facility.
3. Boko Haram: Troops Kill 11 Terrorists In Borno, Recover Weapons
Troops of the Nigerian Military have killed at least seven Boko Haram terrorists in the Gwoza area of Borno State while many others were also wounded.
It was gathered that the terrorists were killed during a clash with the military on Sunday night after the Boko Haram fighters attempted to attack troops of 192 Battalion.
However, the troops responded with superior gunfire, killing some of them instantly while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The Tango 9 troops responded rapidly, by engaging the terrorists with a high volume of firepower and instantly neutralized some of them, while others were forced to retreat.
“We have counted at least eleven corpses of the terrorists after exploring the general area. With the aid of heavy firing and mortar bombs, troops engaged them at their mountainous den,” the source told PR Nigeria.
About a dozen AK-47 rifles, anti-aircraft guns, motorcycles, as well as several other items were also recovered from the terrorists.
4. Buhari Condemns Attack On Imo Police Headquarters, Prison
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the attack on Imo Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri as an act of terrorism.
Naija News had reported how gunmen on Monday attacked the two government facilities, razed their operational vehicles, and freed over 2,000 inmates.
In a statement on Monday afternoon by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President condemned the deadly attack on the two government facilities.
The President also described the attackers as “insurgents” who are bent on causing chaos and destruction in the nation.
Buhari praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.
The President directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.
5. We Can’t Pay ₦30,000 Minimum Wage For Now – Ganduje
The government of Kano State has said it will not be able to pay the national minimum wage, ₦30,000.
The government says given the current economic crisis it will be very difficult to pay the March wage.
The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made the announcement in a press statement, adding that the reduction in the federal government’s allocation to the states necessitated the new consolidated salary.
6. Imo Attacks: Uzodimma Meets Security Chiefs
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has met with heads of the security agencies in the state over the attacks on police headquarters and Owerri Correctional Centre in Owerri, the state capital.
It was gathered the governor had to cut short his Easter holiday to preside over the emergency meeting held inside the Government House in Owerri.
Confirming the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the government has beefed up security within and around the Government House while the meeting lasted.
He added that the state government was on top of the situation, adding that the security agencies have swung into action in order to arrest the culprits.
7. I’m Ready To Seek Visas To Kano, Lagos, Enugu – Aisha Yesufu
Nigerian activist, Aisha Yesufu has said that she is okay and ready to seek visas to visit Kano, Lagos, and Enugu States.
This is her late response to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s comment during Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquim in Kano.
Osinbajo had said if Nigeria was to be broken down into smaller countries, one would need a visa to come to Kano. He then urged those clamouring for secession to have a rethink.
However, Yesufu, in her latest tweet, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government might be the reason for separation in Nigeria.
According to the convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group, it is glaring that Nigeria needs to have a conversation about whether to remain as one or divide.
8. Buhari vs Kukah: Respond To Bandits, Not Critics – Apostle Suleman To Presidency
The Senior Pastor and Founder of the Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has berated the presidency for reacting swiftly to critics but keeping quiet over killings.
In a post on his Twitter handle, Apostle Suleman advised the Presidential spokesmen, Garba Shehu, and Femi Adesina, to respond to bandits and not critics “who speak truth to power.”
He wrote, “You are tempted to think we don’t have a leadership in Nigeria when people are being killed.
“They appear so helpless in the face of insurgency…But as soon someone speaks truth to power, their swift response and reactions amaze you. PLEASE, RESPOND TO BANDITS, NOT CRITICS.”
9. Nobody Deserves To Be In Prison – Kanu Reacts To Attack On Imo Police Hqtrs, Prison
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said that nobody deserves to be in any of the country’s prisons.
In a tweet via his Twitter handle on Monday, the secessionist also condemned the federal government for releasing and rehabilitating arrested killer herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgents.
Kanu said if bandits and insurgents can be released and rehabilitated after they have been arrested, no Nigerian deserves to be in prison.
10. ‘Failure To Organise Convention In June Will Spell Doom For APC’
The Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, on Monday, said failure to organize the national convention of the All Progressives Congres in June would spell doom for the party.
The tenure of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee’s led by Governor Mai Mala Buni would end in June when a national convention is expected to hold.
There are speculations that the convention would be shifted and the tenure of the committee would be extended for the second time.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, titled: “APC’s Litmus Tests”, Lukman said the Caretaker Committee should not abuse President Muhammadu Buhari’s confidence by delaying the convention.