Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 30th March 2022
1. President Buhari Meets Service Chiefs, Issues Fresh Directives After Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack by bandit terrorists on a train travelling from Kaduna to Abuja.
Describing Monday’s attack and attackers as callous, the President in his reaction on Tuesday directed the security agencies to ensure all the terrorists are brought to book.
He said he is deeply pained by the occurrence but insisted that no person or group will be allowed to hold Nigeria to ransom.
President Buhari was quoted in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu to have made the declaration during a meeting with security chiefs at the statehouse in Abuja where he was briefed about Monday’s attack by bandit terrorists on a train bound for Abuja from Kaduna.
He also extended condolence messages to the families of those affected by the attack and ordered security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of kidnapped persons.
2. Chief Of Defence Staff Reveals Number Of Persons Killed, Injured In Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor on Tuesday revealed that seven persons were killed and 29 others were injured during Monday’s attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by bandit terrorists.
The Chief of Defence Staff was however unable to confirm the exact number of persons kidnapped by the terrorists.
Irabor made the disclosure on Tuesday at the State House while speaking with newsmen shortly after a security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the incident.
He confirmed that the security chiefs have visited the site earlier on Tuesday to assess the real situation of things before briefing the President in Abuja.
3. Tinubu Cancels Birthday Colloquium Over Abuja-Kaduna Rail Attack
The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled his 13th Colloquium event.
Naija News understands that the event which usually holds annually is organized to celebrate Tinubu’s birthday.
However, Tinubu who turned 70 on Tuesday has cancelled the birthday event.
Naija News understands that the Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the colloquium was already filled to the brim with dignitaries Tinubu took to the podium to announce the cancellation of the event.
The Presidential aspirant said he got informed of the train incident which has claimed scores of lives.
Tinubu said the tragedy called for sober reflection and not for celebration.
4. Rabiu Kwankwaso Officially Dumps PDP
Former Minister of Defence, Musa Rabi’u Kwankwaso has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Naija News reports that the former Kano governor made this known in a letter of resignation addressed to his ward chairman on Tuesday.
Kwankwaso stated that he withdrew his membership from the opposition PDP over serious and irreconcilable differences in the party.
It is understood that this is the second time the former Kano governor will be dumping the PDP for another party.
Kwankwaso’s defection from the PDP comes a day after his son-in-law, Abba Yusuf, and some of his loyalists defected to the NNPP.
5. Train Attack: Osinbajo Diverts To Kaduna On His Way To Lagos
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had cancelled his trip to Lagos for Kaduna over the recent bandit attack on a train.
Naija News reports that Osinbajo was on his way to Lagos on Tuesday for the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium to hold at the Eko Hotels.
In a post on Twitter, the VP’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo made a detour to Kaduna on Tuesday afternoon after receiving the disturbing report of the terrorist attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train.
6. Senate Issues Directives Over Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday issued directives to Nigerian troops over the activities of bandit terrorists in Kaduna State and in the North West region.
Naija News reports that the Red Chamber also directed the Nigerian military to bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.
This comes after the bomb attack on Monday night by bandits on a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna with about 1,000 people on board.
During plenary on Tuesday, a point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central) on the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.
The lawmaker noted that terrorists over the last month attacked some communities in the state and the Kaduna International Airport.
He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers in Kaduna on Monday. leaving two persons dead and many injured.
Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists’ camp is based are impenetrable, saying that a comprehensive operational plan and total commitment by security agencies will defeat the criminals.
In its resolution, the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full-scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.
7. Soldiers Kill Several Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists In Borno, Recover Weapons
Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed several terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Wulgo and Marte axis in Borno State.
The terrorists belong to the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups according to information made available to Naija News on Tuesday by the Nigerian Army.
According to the Army, the troops deployed under Operation Desert Sanity recorded the victory over the terrorists in continuation of ongoing clearance operations.
Weapons, ammunition, and gun trucks were recovered from the operation.
8. Insecurity: You Have Failed – Ganduje’s Former Aide, Yakasai Attacks Buhari
A former aide of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Salihu Tanko Yakasai has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office.
According to Yakasai, President Buhari and his administration have failed to protect the lives of Nigerians.
He further stated that Buhari lacks empathy, emotion, and does not value the lives of Nigerians.
Yakasai in a series of tweets condemned the President for applying the same approach when there is killing in the country which has not been productive.
9. Bandits’ Attack: NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Operations
Following the attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended its service along the corridor.
Naija News earlier reported that bandit terrorists had planted explosives on the rail track which saw the Kaduna-bound train derail.
It was gathered that the train which took off around 6 pm from the Idu train station at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday hit an explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna.
This news media learned that two persons were reportedly killed with many passengers injured during the attack on the train.
According to reports, a combined team of security operatives were deployed to the scene of the attack in order to protect the stranded passengers.
In a statement via its official Twitter page on Tuesday, the corporation said the suspension was due to unforeseen circumstances.
The NRC disclosed that further Communication would be made available to passengers in due course.
10. Eight Bodies Recovered, 16 Injured In Kaduna Train Attack
The Kaduna State government on Tuesday disclosed that eight bodies have been recovered, while 26 others were injured in the Kaduna train attack.
The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement released on Tuesday, said several others are unaccounted for, as search operations continue.
The state government noted that it has received the detailed passenger manifest from the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
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