Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 20th February, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 20th February 2021.

1. Kagara School Abduction: Gumi Leads Niger SSG, Govt Delegation To Meet With Bandits

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has led a Niger State government delegation headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane to meet with bandits in the state.

The meeting is part of efforts targeted at facilitating the release of the abducted Kagara students and staff as well as the abducted passengers of Niger State Transport Authority mass transit.

Naija News gathered the meeting between the government officials and leaders of the bandits held at Dutsen Magaji, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

2. #EndSARS: Lagos Panel Awards N10m Each To Two Victims Of Police Brutality

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Restitution and Inquiry investigating cases of police brutality have awarded N10 million each as compensation to two victims.

The Chairperson of the panel, Doris Okuwobi, presented the cheques to the victims on behalf of the state government.

The two petitioners are Kudirat Abayomi, who was killed by a police stray bullet in April 2017, and Hannah Olugbodi, who ended up on a crutch after her left leg was shattered by a stray bullet fired by some men of the disbanded police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos.

3. Herdsmen: Finally, Sunday Igboho Lists Demands To End Quit Notice

Popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has revealed what must be done to end the quit notice he gave to Fulani herdsmen.

Recall that had asked Fulani herdsmen to leave Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State over their alleged criminal activities.

The freedom fighter insisted that Fulani herders must fish out the killers of prominent Yoruba sons and daughters. He said that the reason for asking the herders to leave is because of unending killings and kidnapping.

Speaking to newsmen after hosting a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, at his Ibadan home, Sunday Igboho stated that all he wants is for peace to return to Yorubaland.

4. #OrluAirAttack: Military Didn’t Kill Anyone – Ohanaeze Youth Council

The youth arm of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has denied reports that the military killed residents in Orlu, Imo State through helicopter attacks.

The group in a statement on Thursday by its national president, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka said truly there was a heavy military presence in the area, inhabitants of Orlu were not killed.

It added that what happened was a routine check by the army to dislodge criminals who might be hiding in the area.

5. Kagara Abduction: Grant ‘Blanket Amnesty’ To Bandits, Gumi Tells Buhari

Popular Islamic scholar, Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has urged the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to grant ‘blanket amnesty’ to bandits.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Governor Sani Bello of Niger State on Friday in Minna, Gumi advised the federal government to extend amnesty to bandits as it was done to Niger Delta militants.

The cleric asked the government to arrest and prosecute any bandit who goes ahead with criminal activities after amnesty has been granted.

6. Kagara Abduction: Bandits Speak On Releasing Kidnapped Students, Staff

Armed bandits terrorizing some Local Government Areas and communities in Niger State have promised to release all the kidnapped victims in their captivity.

Naija News reports that the bandits made the promise after a ‘mediation parley’ with a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi.

This news medium learned that notorious kidnapping warlords such as Dogon Gida, Kachalla, and others attended the reconciliation forum with Gumi.

According to a security source, the bandits expressed willingness to part of any deradicalization exercise or programme that the government will unveil for their repentant ‘boys’.

7. Herdsmen Don’t Need Akeredolu’s Permission To Live In Forests – Bauchi Governor

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has stated that Nigerians do not need the permission of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu or any other governor to reside anywhere.

Speaking on Friday while appearing on Friday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily’ programme, Mohammed herdsmen don’t need any governors permission to live in any forest in the South-west.

He said, “Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere. You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”

8. Fayose Is An Opportunist, Liability To PDP – Makinde’s Ally Fire Ex-Governor

A former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, has lambasted former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, for describing Governor Seyi Makinde as a ‘baby governor.’

Speaking on Thursday while welcoming some loyalists of a former governor of Oyo State and leader of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Rashidi Ladoja, Agboola described Fayose as a liability to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Agboola, a political ally to Governor Makinde, also described the ex-governor as an opportunist.

9. What I Want To Achieve With Nigerian Army As COAS – Gen. Attahiru

Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru has vowed to professionally reposition the Nigerian Army to deliver more on its mandates.

This he intends to do by focusing on effective and strategic leadership as well as the welfare of the operatives.

Attahiru made this known at Army Headquarters, Abuja when he unveiled his vision and mission statements that will guide the operation and activities of the Nigerian Army under his watch.

While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him into the position, Gen. Attahiru said he looks forward to working with other security agencies to defeat all forms of insurgency and other threats facing Nigeria.

10. Insecurity: Gumi A Mediator And Friend Of The Bandits?

Renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Dr Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, has become actively engaged in meeting with bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers terrorising the Northern part of Nigeria in recent time.

In early February, bandits in the forests of Shinkafi and Gummi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State received in person Sheikh Gumi and his entourage, a visit said to be to spread the message of Islam and peace to the Killer Fulani herdsmen in other to rid the nation of incessant killings and attacks on the innocent souls.

Naija News understands that the Islamic scholar during the visit met with no fewer than 750 armed bandits.

Interacting with Gumi at one of their camps, a commander of the bandits who gave his name as Bello, said for them to subside in their activities; “the killings of our loved ones by security agents without due process of the law stop, as well as cattle rustling that denied most of us legitimate means of livelihood.”

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.