Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 7th May 2021.
1. Ebonyi Govt To Offer Amnesty To Repentant Bandits
The Ebonyi State Government says it will offer amnesty to bandits and other criminals who are willing to repent and lay down their arms.
State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Uchenna Orji, made this known to reporters on Friday in Abakaliki, the state capital.
According to NAN, Orji, however, said the governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, will use any legitimate means to see to the protection of lives and property of residents of the state.
He said repentant criminals will be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
2. FG Investigating Nigerians Sponsoring Boko Haram – Malami
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has declared that the federal government will prosecute some prominent Nigerians for sponsoring Boko Haram and other criminals in the country.
Malami made the revelation on Friday while answering questions from state house correspondents.
He noted that those to be prosecuted are those found to be culpable in providing fiance to terrorists based on far-reaching investigations.
3. Insecurity: We Didn’t Vote Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu – Buhari Should Resign If… – Melaye
Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye has called out President Muhammadu Buhari, telling him to address Nigerians directly over the growing insecurity in the country.
This is as he submitted that it is not proper for the President to always speak to the people through statements issued by his media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu.
Melaye made the submission during an interview with Africa Independent Television (AIT) monitored by Naija News correspondent.
According to the former Senator, the growing insecurity in the country is worrisome but the President is absent and unavailable.
4. How Some Merciless Nigerians Are Affecting The Country – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that despite the best efforts by his administration, some merciless Nigerians are not allowing government policies to produce desired results.
Buhari made the declaration on Friday after receiving briefings from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) led by Professor Doyin Salami during its 6th regular meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
A statement released by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina said President Buhari thereafter urged all those bent on derailing and bad-mouthing government policies to desist.
5. Supreme Court Upholds Deregistration Of 74 Political Parties
The Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed a ruling by the Court of Appeal in support of the deregistration of 74 political parties.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2020 deregistered the political parties over their inability to win any election during the 2019 general elections.
In the judgment delivered by Justice China Nweze, the Supreme Court, on Friday, said deregistration of NUP, one of the 74 parties, was in line with the laws and compliance with the extant provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act.
6. Eight Killed As Hoodlums Attack Police Headquarters In Imo
Eight gunmen have been killed by joint security operatives on Thursday night after a failed attack on Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State.
Naija News reports that the security operatives engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for several hours.
The gun duel created an atmosphere of panic, as people scampered for safety, as the Roads in Orlu town and its environs were deserted.
Later, the operatives sent for reinforcement from the 34 artillery brigade, Obinze, in Owerri that helped repel the attack on the facility.
It was gathered that the incident which started early hours of Thursday ended at about 9:30pm with the final battle at Nkwito junction in Orlu Local Government Area of the state.
Also, eight vehicles were said to have been recovered from the said hoodlums, as well as sophisticated ammunitions which they used to attack the joint security forces.
7. Ex-Senator And Minister, Mama Taraba Is Dead
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan, better known as Mama Taraba, has reportedly died.
The report of Mama Taraba’s death was confirmed to newsmen on Friday by one of her former aides, Naija News reports.
It was gathered that Mama Taraba died on Friday, May 7 at the age of 61 in Cairo, Egypt.
8. Ex-Minister Al-Hassan’s Death Huge Loss To Nigeria – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the demise of a former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Nigerian Mission in Egypt had confirmed that the former minister died aged 61 in Cairo on Friday.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the president further tagged the death a huge loss to the nation as a whole.