Top Headlines from Today’s Nigerian Newspapers, Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Hello Nigeria, welcome to Naija News’ summary of the top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, November 3, 2021
The presidency said that Muhammadu Buhari’s government would continue to support and protect journalists in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina made this known at an event to commemorate the 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adesina said journalists play a vital role in the nation’s development, adding that the Buhari government will continue to provide an environment for them to flourish.
The presidential spokesman, however, said the current administration does not support crime or impunity against journalists in the country, saying it has always respected the rights of journalists.
Adesina recalled how the media office responded when Punch’s correspondent had issues at the villa which were resolved amicably.
Six people were abducted by unidentified armed men in an attack on Abuja University on Tuesday morning.
The university, in a statement signed by its spokesperson Habib Yakoob on Tuesday, said the gunmen kidnapped an institution’s economics professor, Joseph Obansa, alongside his two children.
He said the gunmen had gained access to Giri’s senior staff quarters in the Gwagwalada Regional Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the early hours of Tuesday.
Yakoob said the gunmen operated undisturbed for more than an hour, adding that security guards have since been deployed to hunt down the criminals.
The school spokesperson revealed that in addition to the teacher and his children, three people were also kidnapped.
Yakoob, however, said efforts were being made to ensure the safe return of those kidnapped.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has suspended Gbolahan Oki, managing director of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Naija News reports that the CEO’s suspension follows a 21-story building collapse in the Ikoyi area of the state, which claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left many injured.
In a statement Tuesday by State Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotosho, Sanwo-Olu said he was determined to find out what was wrong and punish those charged in the building. 21 floors collapsed.
He revealed that the state government will set up an independent panel to investigate the building collapse on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
A Federal High Court in Abia State has set a new date to hear Nnamdi Kanu’s human rights lawsuit against the federal government of Nigeria.
Kanu, the leader of the proscribed indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), through his legal team, took the government to court, demanding its unconditional release.
The IPOB leader accused the government of violating his human rights and wants the court to declare it as well, arguing that security agents mistreated him.
The hearing for the case had been set for November 2, 2021, but has now been adjourned to November 19.
The date change was confirmed on Tuesday by one of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, who told Punch they were disappointed with the court’s decision to move the date.
Unknown gunmen attacked the residence of the head of the Yoruba Self-Determination Groups Coordinating Body, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Prof. Banji Akintoye.
It has been established that the Ado-Ekiti residence of the famous historian was attacked this weekend by armed men.
Confirming the attack, group spokesman Maxwell Adeleye said in a statement Tuesday that the gunmen climbed onto a chair outside the fence on Saturday to gain access to the complex.
He said, however, that the professor was not at his home when the gunmen attacked, adding that no one was injured.
According to Maxwell, the gunmen fired several shots with the bullets seen in the compound.
Two commanders of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were apprehended by the Nigerian army in the community of Mgbowo, in the local government area of Awgu in Enugu State.
In a statement signed Tuesday by his spokesperson, the brigadier. General Onyema Nwachukwu, the military said the two IPOB / ESN commanders were arrested during a raid on Monday November 1.
According to the army spokesman, the suspects are currently under questioning and are said to be prosecuted by the federal government.
Nwachukwu, however, denied IPOB’s claim that there was an incident of indiscriminate shooting or unprovoked house fires during the raid.
He said the joint operation took place overnight and no private property was destroyed.
The military spokesperson advised members of the public to ignore the group’s claim that is intended to mislead the public.
As the death toll in the Ikoyi building collapse rose to 14, Inspector General of Police Usman Baba visited the scene of the sad incident.
Naija News reports that the police chief arrived at the scene accompanied by the state police commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, and other senior police officers.
Baba entered the compound to check the level of damage and inquire about the rescue operation update.
Meanwhile, the state government revealed on Tuesday that 14 people had been confirmed dead in the building collapse.
In a statement by Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, nine men were also rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.
The commissioner added that more equipment and personnel have been deployed to the site for the rescue mission.
At least nine candidates for governor in the November 6 elections in Anambra have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that the candidates are Charles Soludo (APGA); Andy Uba (APC); Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP); Ben Etiaba (AA); Obinna Uzoh (SDP); Akachukwu Nwankpo (ADC); Onyejegbu Okwudili (APM); Nnamdi Nnawuo (PRP) and Obiora Okonkwo (ZLP).
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the candidates said the release of the IPOB leader would bring lasting peace to Anambra and the Southeast as a whole.
The candidates urged the federal government to reduce the military presence in the southeast in order to stem increased tension in the region.
However, the candidates called on the IPOB to suspend its plan to disrupt the smooth running of the election, calling on the group to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the raid on the Abuja residence of Supreme Court judge Justice Mary Odili last week on Friday.
Naija News reports that the PDP made the condemnation in a statement signed Tuesday by the PDP’s National Advertising Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan.
Recall that security agents stormed Judge Odili’s home in Maitama, acting on an alleged judicial warrant to search her home.
However, the federal government, through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has denied any involvement in the raid.
According to the PDP, the invasion of Judge Odili’s residence in Abuja is part of a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack the 2023 elections.
The opposition party called the invasion horrific, rascal, irresponsible and utterly unwarranted, adding that the raid was an assault on the justice system.
Members of the Imo State House of Assembly removed the Deputy Speaker, the Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, in the plenary on Tuesday.
Naija News learned that Iwuanyanwu had been impeached under tight security, after a resolution for his impeachment was signed by 18 of 27 lawmakers.
Shortly after the resolution was submitted by the member representing the Orlu State constituency, the Hon. Ekene Nnodim, Chairman, Rt. Hon. Paul Emezim, approved the dismissal of his deputy.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly also recalled six suspended members who were controversially suspended on July 8 for “unparliamentary conduct”.
It was learned that lawmakers were recalled by the president after reaching an agreement with the leadership of the House of Assembly.