Top Headlines of Today’s Nigerian Newspapers, Sunday November 28, 2021
Hello Nigeria, welcome to Naija News’ summary of the top headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, November 28, 2021.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has sounded the alarm over a planned attack by Boko Haram / ISWAP terrorists against border communities in Ogun and other border communities across Nigeria.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a letter dated November 25, 2021, addressed to the Customs Zone Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Zone Command, Abeokuta.
The letter was titled “Insurgent Plans to Launch Attacks on Military Bases in Various Border Communities” and signed by Ogun State Security Director MB Abdullahi.
Nigeria’s customs service must be on high alert in the face of the impending attack, according to the DSS.
Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi accused the federal government led by Muhammadu Buhari of succumbing to blackmail to label the bandits as terrorists.
Recall that Judge Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court of Abuja had declared that the activities of bandits in Nigeria amount to terrorism.
The court also ordered the federal government to publish its proclamation in the official gazette.
Reacting in a statement by Malam Tukur Mamu, his media consultant, Gumi said naming terrorist bandits would not change anything but would only increase violence.
While accusing an anonymous section of the country of pressuring Buhari, the cleric alleged that the action was taken out of political convenience.
The federal government has ordered all public servants to return to work on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
Department manager (HoS) Folasade Yemi-Esan, who gave the directive in a circular issued on Friday, also asked workers to present evidence of the COVID-19 test and vaccination upon resumption.
Recall that the HoS had asked all federal workers at level 12 and below to work from home as a measure to curb the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.
According to the circular, all officials who do not get vaccinated will not be allowed to enter their offices and will be penalized for flouting the government directive.
The administration led by Muhammadu Buhari has accused the Outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) of sponsoring foreigners against Nigeria.
The presidency said the pro-Biafra group was behind Nigeria’s listing among countries that suppress religious freedom.
Recall that the administration of former US President Donald Trump in 2020 placed Nigeria among the countries opposed to religious freedom.
Speaking at Dutsinma Federal University in Katsina State on Friday, Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Advertising Garba Shehu insisted that Nigeria should never have been on one such list.
Following the ban on bandits in the country on Thursday, Federation Attorney General (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) said the federal government was ready to crush all terrorist groups.
In a statement Friday by his spokesman Dr Umar Gwandu, the justice minister said that marking bandits as terrorists would give the military the power to take a heavy toll on terrorists disrupting the country’s peace.
He said the ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja, strengthened the government’s resolve to fight terrorism in Nigeria in accordance with international rules of engagement standards.
Malami argued that the court order will also allow the government to prosecute supporters and sponsors of banditry and terrorism in the country.
Terrorist bandits who kidnap and kill innocent Nigerians on the Abuja-Kaduna highway have been killed by Nigerian army special forces, Naija News has learned.
It has been learned that dozens of terrorist bandits were killed in a raid on their hiding places in the forests of Kaduna in Northwestern state.
The leader of the terrorist group was also neutralized in a fierce battle with special forces and put an end to the infamous activities of criminals along the highway.
Recall that the terrorist activities over the past week have posed a serious security threat and an unnecessary nuisance to innocent travelers.
Federation Attorney General (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) said the villainous activities of the bandits were the reason the government went to court to label them terrorists.
Naija News reports that Malami made this known in a letter dated October 29, 2021 and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister advised the president to ban various groups of bandits in the country because their activities threatened national security and the existence of the nation.
Malami argued that bandit groups like Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda continued to kidnap school children, kidnap commuters, steal livestock and kill innocent victims.
The minister said that the activities of these bandits have a negative effect on the population and the economy.
The ban on telecommunications networks in Zamfara state due to the activities of terrorist bandits will be lifted on Tuesday, Governor Bello Matawalle revealed.
Naija News reports that the state government ordered the shutdown of telecommunications services on September 4 as part of measures to curb armed terrorist attacks and kidnappings in the state.
The Matawalle-led government then restored mobile network service to Gusau, the state capital, a month later.
Speaking on Saturday, Matawalle revealed that telecommunications services will be restored in 48 hours.
According to the governor, his government will also lift the ban on weekly market activities in the state.
Emirates Airlines belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was allowed to fly to Nigeria without any conditions.
Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Director of Public Affairs of the Aviation Department, James Odaudu.
The statement quotes Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika as saying that the Nigerian government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have settled their differences.
Recall that the government of Muhammadu Buhari had banned Emirates airlines from flying to Nigeria due to the travel restrictions imposed by the United Arab Emirates on Nigerians with regard to COVID-19 protocols.
Former statesman Tanko Yakasai has revealed details of his recent meeting with former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu.
Naija News has learned that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited Yakasai at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, November 24.
Many Tinubu presidential campaign posters have been spotted in different parts of Nigeria recently. In addition, different political groups have declared their support for the politician to join the presidential race of 2023.
While Tinubu has yet to publicly declare his intention to run for office in 2023, Yakasai has however revealed that Tinubu has visited him to seek support for his presidential ambition against the 2023 general election.