Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 23rd May 2021.
1. ISWAP vs Boko Haram: Borno Residents Doubts Shekau’s Death, Demand Proof
Some residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State, have doubted the alleged killing of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, during a clash with the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
Naija News had reported that the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau was reportedly killed according to multiple sources.
Information gathered has it that Shekau died on the evening of Wednesday, 19th May 2021.
He was said to have died following the invasion of his Sambisa forest stronghold by fighters of ISWAP loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS).
2. Knocks As Buhari, Osinbajo Fail To Attend Burial Of Attahiru, Others Who Died In Plane Crash
The absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru, on Saturday has attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
As previously reported by Naija News, Attahiru and some others died on Friday in a military plane crash which occurred close to the Kaduna Airport.
The remains of their bodies were moved to Abuja on Saturday for burial.
After prayers at the National Mosque and the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church respectively, the bodies were laid to rest in full military honours at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
3. Heavily Armed Policemen Storm PDP Secretariat In Cross River
Armed policemen on Saturday supervised the stripping of flags and other insignia at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to Cross River Watch, the caretaker committee chairman of the party, Ntufam Inok Edim, is on the scene.
He is reported to have stated that the secretariat building ought to serve another purpose.
The building has been stripped of the party’s flags, and was being repainted with green and white colors. The report notes about 50 police officers in unmarked pickup trucks, blocking access to the roads around the secretariat stationed along the Murtala Muhammed highway.
4. Attahiru: Defence Minister Brief Buhari On Military Plane Crash [Photos]
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, on Friday night briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the military aircraft that crashed in Kaduna on Friday.
Naija News reports that Buhari had expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a “mortal blow” to the country.
Among those present at the briefing on Friday night were Leo Irabor, chief of defence; Isiaka Amao, chief of air staff; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, and Yusuf Bichi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).
5. 2023: Atiku Reveals Zones That Can Contest Any Position In APC
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, have said party members from any zone can contest any position in the 2023 general election.
Naija News reports that different geopolitical zones are calling on Nigeria’s two major political parties – APC and PDP – to zone to 2023 presidency to them.
But in a statement on Friday, Atiku Bagudu stated that the 1999 Constitution empowers any zone to contest in an election.
6. PDP Expels Kassim Afegbua, He Reacts
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sacked Kassim Afegbua as a member of the party for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.
Afegbua was expelled by the Edo State chapter of the PDP as contained in a letter signed by the state chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi which was addressed to the party’s national chairman, Uche Secondus.
Naija News reports Afegbua was an aide to a former governor of Edo State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole as well as a former spokesperson for former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.
7. Bandits Kill Emir Of Birnin Gwari’s Driver, Burn Vehicle
The driver of the Emir of Birnin Gwari has been killed by bandits while driving along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway.
It was gathered that the armed bandits also burnt the Toyota Hilux van he was driving.
The driver who was identified as Nasiru Sarkin Zango was killed around 3 pm on Saturday while returning to Birnin Gwari having arrived in Kaduna earlier that day to service the vehicle.
Sources that spoke with Daily Trust disclosed that the driver was alone in the vehicle and the attack had taken place around Unguwan Yako forest where bandits opened fire at the emir’s convoy in March but the emir, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari, was not in the vehicle.
8. Governors Don’t Have Constitutional Power To Fix Petrol Price – Falana
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana at the weekend said it is illegal for Nigerian Governors Forum to fix the price of petrol in the country.
Falana was reacting to the N380 per litre of petrol recommended by the governors as the new pump price.
The activist, featuring on a Punch Live interview on Friday said he respected the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as an entity.
“Nigerian governors in their individual capacities lack the powers to interfere in the fixing of the prices of petroleum products,” he said.
9. Kankara Traditional Ruler Sacked For Helping Bandits
The District Head of Kankara, Sarkin Pawwan Katsina, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal has been sacked from office by the Katsina Emirate Council after he was found guilty of helping bandits, kidnappers, and their activities.
The decision to sack the traditional ruler was confirmed by the spokesman of the Emirate, Alhaji Ibrahim Bindawa.
Lawal was found guilty by a committee set up by the Emirate which was chaired by the Kauran Katsina, District Head of Rimi.
The committee after meeting stakeholders including security officials found the District Head of Kankara guilty of aiding bandits and kidnappers terrorizing Kankara LGA.
10. Suarez Strike Wins 2020/2021 La Liga Title For Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid has won the 2020/2021 La Liga title with a 2-1 win against Valladolid on Saturday.
Atletico were trailing at the end of the first half via a goal scored by Oscar Plano in the 18th minute of the game but the Madrid team rallied round, scored an equalizer in the 57th minute of the game through an Angel Correa goal.
Then former Barcelona striker, Luiz Suarez completed the come-back with a 67th-minute strike to ensure the game finished 2-1 in favour of Atletico.
The win moved the team to 86 points and guaranteed they finished as the La Liga champions.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The article was originally published on Nigeria News