Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 22nd April 2022
1. Details Of Buhari’s Meeting With Security Chiefs, Ministers Emerge
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that all necessary assets and resources be deployed in the rescue of all Nigerians in the captivity of criminals including bandits and terrorists.
The President issued the directive to security chiefs during the National Security Council meeting on Thursday at the Aso Rock Villa.
As earlier reported by Naija News, the President received briefings from the military chiefs and heads of security agencies at a meeting also attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other top government officials.
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno disclosed that the President ordered the security agencies to secure the release of the victims of the Kaduna train attack and others in similar situations.
President Buhari expressed sadness about the current challenges of insecurity in the country and its impact on the citizens.
He, therefore, demanded immediate action from the security agencies that will bring results.
2. 2023: As President Of Nigeria, Terrorists Will Tremble When They Hear My Name – Wike
The executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has assured there will be maximum security if he is elected Nigeria’s president in the 2023 general elections.
Naija News understands that Wike is aspiring to contest the office of the president under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike vowed in a statement on Thursday that he will lead the war against bandits if he wins the 2023 Presidency.
Naija News understands that the governor made the huge pledge when he wooed delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State on Thursday.
Wike said terrorists will have no choice but to flee if they hear his voice.
3. INEC Speaks On Postponing 2023 Election Over Insecurity
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised not to postpone the 2023 general election despite the security challenges facing the country.
The nation’s electoral agency stated that it is fully aware of the insecurity in the country and its impact on the electoral process, stressing that the forthcoming polls will hold as planned.
Speaking at a public presentation in Abuja on Thursday, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, called on the citizens to support the commission in ensuring that the 2023 election is a success.
The INEC boss said the commission will continue to dialogue with the security agencies to ensure the safety of its personnel, election materials and other critical stakeholders.
4. Train Attack: El-Rufai Revealing Secret Information – Munguno
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has been condemned by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno over his statements following the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.
According to Munguno, the Kaduna State Governor has been revealing secret security information.
Munguno stated this on Thursday after the security council meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, heads of security agencies, and ministers.
He claimed that El-Rufai could indirectly help terrorists restrategize which might endanger those in captivity.
El-Rufai had claimed that the military failed to act despite intelligence reports made available to them early enough on the hideout of bandits and planned attacks.
5. Police IG Issues Warning To Unknown Gunmen In South-East, Rejigs Operation Restore Peace
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has strongly condemned the recent spate of attacks on Police officers, facilities, and other police operational assets around the nation, particularly in the South East.
Naija News reports that IGP Baba pointed out that the South-East has witnessed more attacks on police stations, ruthless murder of police officers in their line of duty to protect the citizenry, as well as the destruction of critical national infrastructures.
In a statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets to complement officers and men attached to Operation Restore Peace in the South East, and other launched operations.
He noted that the aim of the additional deployment was to flush out criminal elements who hide under the guise of aggrieved citizens to perpetrate criminal acts.
6. 2023: Osinbajo Appoints Senator Gaya Head Of Presidential Campaign Council
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has appointed the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya, as the head of his presidential campaign council.
Gaya confirmed his appointment at a press conference on Thursday during his assumption as the Chairman of The Progressive Project (TPP), an umbrella body of support groups for Osinbajo’s presidential campaign.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the vice president will emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and go ahead to win the 2023 election.
Senator Gaya pointed out that Osinbajo has the qualities and competence to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, adding that his presidential declaration showed his brilliance.
7. “Our Situation In Nigeria Concerns Everyone” – Obasanjo
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has raised fresh concerns about the challenges of insecurity in the country.
The former President who advocated the need for state police as a way to address the challenges said everyone should be concerned about what is happening.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen local government administration as well as traditional institutions so as to curb the growing insecurity in the country.
Chief Obasanjo was quoted by his media assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi to have made the submissions on Wednesday when he hosted the leadership of the National Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
8. Troops Arrest Most Wanted Boko Haram, ISWAP Spy In Borno
One of the most wanted spies of Boko Haram/Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP), Modu Babagana, has been arrested by the Nigerian military.
Naija News gathered that the Boko Haram intelligence spy was arrested in Bama, Borno State by the troops of the 21 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
Babagana, who is a high ranking Intelligence spy of the terrorist group, had escaped from military detention in Bama community two years ago.
An Intelligence Officer told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert, that the notorious Boko Haram/ ISWAP member was arrested in January 2020 for carrying out espionage activities on troops in the general area of Bama and Banki.
9. “There’s A Problem Already” – APC Women Leader Tells Youths Who Don’t Have N50m But Want To Contest 2023 Presidency
The national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Betta Edu has submitted that any youth that can’t raise N50m for the party’s nomination form should not be thinking of contesting the 2023 presidency.
Edu made the submission on Thursday while defending the N100m price tag slammed on the APC presidential nomination form by the ruling party.
Naija News reports however that the party also slashed the cost of nomination forms by 50% for young aspirants in the party, meaning such interested persons would have to cough out N50m.
The APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, made this known in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.
The hefty price tag has however attracted various criticisms from Nigerians.
But defending the decision of the party, Edu said anybody that wants to manage the huge resources of Nigeria as its president must be able to prove that he/she can manage beyond N50m so such a person won’t misbehave when he/she gets into power.
She added that for the youths interested in elective positions, it’s not compulsory the funds must be their personal money but they should be able to get people (including crowdfunding) who believe in them and are ready to stake so much for them including raising the needed funds.
10. Nigeria’s External Reserves Hit $243.83m In 19 Days
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated that the country’s external reserves rose by $243.83m in 19 days.
Naija News reports that the apex bank made the disclosure in a report on data on movement in reserves on its website on Wednesday.
The CBN revealed that the reserve value rose from $39.54bn as of April 1, 2022, to $39.78bn as of April 19, 2022.
The external reserves fell by $313m in March, after starting the month at $39.86bn, before falling to $39.55bn on March 30.
Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News