Nigerian newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Thursday morning

 



Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigeria newspapers

1. The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has set up security teams to defend the state against herdsmen attacks. The security teams that are expected to work with local hunters will respond to attacks from herdsmen. The governor made this new arrangement following reports that some persons identified as Bororo herdsmen had started making moves into Ekiti with plans to kill people in order to frustrate his anti-grazing law.

2. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, as a substantive Director General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Abubakar is a retired career Foreign Service officer, and until his appointment, he served as a Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Foreign Affairs/International Relations.

3. It has been confirmed that Nigerian Super Eagles will play England at Wembley Stadium on June 2, as part of their warm-up friendlies ahead of the 2018 World Cup. The Three Lions will play the Super Eagles five days before facing Costa Rica in another friendly at Elland Road.

4. The Federal Government has demolished a multi-million naira mansion belonging to the slain Niger Delta militant and notorious kidnapper, Don Waney. The mansion located at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, was demolished on Tuesday morning. The house was brought down under the watch of heavily-armed security agents, who mounted guard at different angles of the militant’s home.

5. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was acting like former President, Goodluck Jonathan in his handling of the activities of Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria. While insisting that the President is handling the continued killings of farmers with kids’-glove, the poet pointed out that Jonathan did same with Boko Haram, leading to its subsequent escalation. The Playwright wondered why the Buhari-led government had not considered some of the suggestions which stakeholders recommended as a solution to the crisis.

6. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given 21 newly registered political parties certificates of operation. INEC presented certificates to representatives of the parties at its national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. The parties are: All Blending Party, All Grassroots Alliance, Alliance for New Nigeria, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, Coalition for Change, Freedom and Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, Justice Must Prevail Party, Legacy Party of Nigeria, Mass Action Joint Alliance, Modern Democratic Party, National Interest Party, National Rescue Mission and New Progressive Mission. Others include: the New Progressive Movement, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty, People’s Trust, Providence People’s Congress, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party of Nigeria and Sustainable National Party.

7. The FCT Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested 52 members of the the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) group in Abuja. Its spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said the group members went on rampage and attacked innocent citizens including Police operatives. Manzah also alleged that the Command recovered some bottles of improvised petrol-bomb, stones and catapult used by members of the sect to attack police operatives.

8. The Benue State Emergency Management Agency has revealed that over 80 persons have been killed in the state since December 31, 2017 following clashes between cattle herdsmen and farmers. The Agency’s executive secretary, Benue chapter, Mr Emmanuel Shior disclosed this to reporters on Tuesday in the state. Shior said the killings had displaced thousands of people in the districts of Guma and Logo who are now seeking shelter in four different camps.

9. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai yesterday disclosed that he has directed Special Forces to crisis areas in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states to check the incessant killings of farmers by Fulani herdsmen. Buratai said the Nigerian Army (NA) would restore peace and order in the affected States. The Army Chief gave this assurance during the distribution of farm implements by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh at the military ranch situated in Giri, in Abuja.

10. Nigeria Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has directed members of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Security to suspend recess and immediately resume sitting and, generate report in readiness for consideration as the Senate officially reconvene next week. This order was to immediately tackle the security situation in Benue and other states constantly under attack by Fulani herdsmen. Saraki said the sad situation in Benue was an indication that there are serious security lapses.