Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 15th November 2021
Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has revealed that fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, rammed a bomb-laddened car into the convoy of Brig-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu.
Naija News had earlier reported that Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu, a Commander of the Army’s Special Forces was killed by ISWAP terrorists in an ambush attack which also resulted in the death of other soldiers.
The terrorists had launched an attack against a military base in Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday while reacting to the attack, Ndume, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said the late General Zirkusu had become a problem for the terrorists group hence their need to take him out.
According to the controversial lawmaker, ISWAP fighters are regrouping in Borno North, which is the Lake Chad axis.
He stated that the Nigerian Army have been able to take out top commanders of the Boko Haram faction in recent times.
Ndume, however, pointed out that the intensity of the attack on Askira was worrisome, urging other security agencies to give the Nigerian Army the needed support.
No fewer than seventeen people under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are said to have picked nomination forms for the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Nine out of the seventeen aspirants who are confirmed to be females have been screened by PDP at the National Secretariat, Naija News reports.
In the female list is the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Recall that the Ekiti State governorship election is slated for June 18, 2022.
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Southeast governors against refusing to act on the illegal arrest of youths across the region.
The group in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated that the governors would feel the wrath of the people if they do nothing about the continuous clampdown on youths by security agents.
While urging the governors to release all “Biafran youths” in detention, the pro-Biafra group condemned the arrest of innocent youths and tagging them operatives of the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has reacted to the recent attack in the state by terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Naija News reports that the deadly sect on Saturday, November 13, laid ambush on men of the Nigerian army in Askira town in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the state.
A Brigadier-General and Commander of the army 28 task force brigade, Dzarma Zirkusu alongside three other soldiers were murdered during the attack.
The gallant soldiers including the commander were reportedly heading to Askira for reinforcement when the terrorist group ambushed them.
Commiserating with the family of the deceased and the entire armed forces, Babagana in a statement issued by Isa Gusau, his spokesperson, said the troops paid supreme sacrifices serving the nation.
The governor said the state is appreciative of the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.
Babagana said while the government will continue to provide support for the security men, there is a need to redouble efforts.
He lamented the insecurity status of the nation, saying that some insurgents do not want peace to be established amongst residents.
The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has described the allegation by a US-based non-profit organization, that the Nigerian government is a sponsor of terrorism, as disgusting.
In a statement released by Segun Adeyemi, the Media aide to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, the federal government stated that the allegation by the organisation is orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorism and banditry.
According to Lai Mohammed in the statement sent to obtained by Naija News on Sunday, the so-called Global Advocates for Terrorism Eradication (GATE) is a pesky irritant that should be ignored, especially because it is as confused as it is irresponsible.
Lai Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly-discredited, fake-news-peddling former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown the hollowness of its allegation.
The Edo State Government has condemned the assault on an elderly man and youths in the state, vowing to prosecute the perpetrators.
Naija News reports that a video had emerged on social media showing some thugs attacking and brutalizing individuals who are alleged to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo, Edo State.
The thugs, who were armed with canes, machetes and other dangerous weapons, were seen ordering the bloodied party members to sit on the floor.
In a statement sent to Naija News, the Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, stated that the perpetrators would be prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law.
He said the government frowns at all forms of violence and is particularly appalled with the contents of the viral video.
Former Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s 16 years of leadership from the Southwest and South-south respectively is enough reason for the Peoples Democratic Party to zone 2023 presidential ticket to the North, a party chieftain, Alhaji Lawal Usman said.
With a few more months to the 2023 general elections, PDP’s is still puzzled with the zoning of its presidential ticket despite the inauguration of a new National Working Committee.
However, Usman while addressing newsmen on Sunday, November 14, said the Northern region should get the party’s presidential ticket after allowing the other regions to lead the party in the previous elections.
According to the party chieftain, the North must be handed the ticket for the strategic interest of the party and the nation at large.
Usman insists that the party must give the ticket to the North for fairness and equity.
The National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, had condemned the attack on some party leaders in Akoko-Edo, Edo State.
Naija News reports that a video had emerged on social media showing some thugs attacking and brutalizing some leaders and members of the PDP in Edo State.
The thugs, who were armed with canes, machetes and other dangerous weapons, were seen ordering the bloodied party members to sit on the floor.
Reacting in a statement sent to Naija News on Sunday, Dan Orbih called on security agents to fish out and prosecute the thugs and those who aided them.
The former Edo State PDP chairman urged party members to go about their normal political duties and not take laws into their hands.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has geared up preparations for the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State 2022 governorship elections.
This is as the ruling party on Sunday (today) made public, in an official notice, the schedule for governorship polls, barely six and seven months to the exercise.
Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier fixed June 18, and July 16, 2022, for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections respectively.
The tenure of Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola is due to elapse next year, while his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi would be due to vacate the seat of power also in 2022 having served two tenure.
In the official notice signed and delivered to newsmen on Sunday, the National Secretary of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, APC revealed sales of nomination forms for both States will commence 16th and 18th November respectively.
The statement, however, did not confirm the cost of governorship election nomination forms for the party.
South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops have called for the immediate release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, the group lamented the continuous detention of the IPOB leader, noting that failure to let go of the Biafran agitator would squash the already established peace in the South-East region.
This is as the monarchs and respected clergymen commended IPOB for allowing the just concluded Anambra State governorship election to hold successfully and peacefully.
The statement signed by His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, JP, also thanked residents of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Forces, the National Peace Committee, and all the other actors who played major roles in the November 6 polls which was later extended with days for completion.
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