Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 14th April, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 14th April 2021

1. EFCC Arrests Rochas Okorocha

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Imo West Senator and former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Naija News gathered Okorocha was arrested in his office in Abuja on Tuesday by EFCC operatives for alleged money laundering charges.

The arrest has also been confirmed by the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, who told Vanguard in a telephone chat that: “Okorocha has been arrested by our men.”

2. Parliamentary Workers Protest Unpaid Salaries

Legislative workers, on Tuesday, welcomed lawmakers of the upper and lower legislative Chambers with protest over non-payment of allowances.

The aides earlier positioned themselves and blocked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila whom they said has been feigning ignorance of their demands since 2019.

Having done with the Speaker, protesters made deft moves to get the attention of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan.

3. Insecurity: Nigeria Will Be In Trouble If…. Orji Uzor Kalu

Senate Minority Leader and former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu has warned that urgent steps must be taken by the federal government to address the worsening security situation in the country.

The Abia North Senator declared that the protection of the lives and property of citizens is a primary responsibility of the government and any government that fails in this aspect would have failed its citizens.

He added that Nigeria as a country would be in trouble if the government fails to respond to security challenges as it should.

Kalu however alleged that some people behind the insecurity in Nigeria are attempting to sabotage the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.

Kalu, who is the ex-governor of Abia State, called on the Federal Government to collaborate more with governors in nipping in the bud the various security challenges in the country.

4. Akeredolu Reports Ex-Deputy To Police Over Refusal To Return Govt Vehicles

The crisis between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his erstwhile deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi took a new turn on Tuesday as Akeredolu petitioned the police against Ajayi.

Akeredolu in his petition said Ajayi has refused to return government vehicles in his possession despite several entreaties for him to do so.

Akeredolu’s letter of petition, addressed to the state Police Command and signed on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties & Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale wants the police to intervene and ensure the return of the vehicles.

The letter said Ajayi’s refusal to return the vehicles has deprived the new deputy governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa of access to official vehicles.

5. Governor Sule Swears In First Nasarawa Female Chief Judge

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, on Tuesday sworn-in Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu as the first female Chief Judge in Nasarawa State.

Governor Sule after administering the oath of office on the new CJ noted that his government takes the judiciary as a critical institution providing the needed impetus to strengthen relationships among organs of government.

He further stated that his government will continue to work with the judiciary towards quick dispensation of justice.

The Nasarawa State Governor added that the state government has approved an increase in subvention of the judiciary to allow implementation of the harmonization law as well as enhance allowances of magistrates and judges of Area Courts.

6. Adeboye Meets El-Rufai In Kaduna

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Tuesday, met with the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The meeting took place at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna.

The RCCG leader later revealed that he was at the Kaduna State government house on the invitation of Governor Nasir El-Rufai who asked him to come and pray for the state.

The revered clergyman disclosed that his initial mission in Kaduna State was to see and pray for some members of the church who were recently rescued from kidnappers after they were kidnapped on their way for an evangelism mission.

7. Policeman Shot As Gunmen Abduct Abuja Residents

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday shot a police officer while trying to foil the abduction of some people in the Tungan-Maje community in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.

A resident of the community identified as Ibrahim Saidu noted that the armed men during the attack engaged the police and some members of the vigilante in a shootout.

Saidu disclosed that after an hour of shooting, the gunmen abducted two people from Anguwar Samu in Tungan-Maje.

He further stated that after the armed men overpowered the police, they invaded the New Poultry area where they abducted two people.

Saidu added that the police office and a vigilante member who sustained injuries have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

8. MASSOB Leader Blasts IPOB’s ESN, Embraces Ebubeagu For Southeast

The leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike says the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is not a legal security outfit for the southeast region.

This is as he also declared that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who set up the ESN has no power to set up such outfits.

Uwazuruike made his view known on Tuesday while speaking during an interview of TVC’s ‘Your View’ programme.

According to him, only Governors from the region had the constitutional powers to set up such outfits and that is why he and his group are embracing the ‘Ebubeagu’ recently set up by the governors.

He also blasted Kanu and ESN, saying the security outfit exists only on social media.

9. 8 Killed In Fresh Attack As 100 Northerners Flee Imo State

Northerners in Imo State are now leaving in fear as unknown gunmen killed eight and injured six others in a fresh attack in the state.

Naija News recalls that this is coming after attacks on the Imo police headquarters and correctional centre where over 1800 inmates were released into the public.

According to BBC Hausa, the recent killings and attackers in the southeast state has forced many northerners to return to the North.

Alhaji Iliyasu Sulaiman, told BBC Hausa that his younger brother was shot dead and that three other northerners were injured in Olu town.

10. Hold Buratai, Ihejirika, Others Responsible For Arms Purchase, Attahiru Tells Reps

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has asked Nigerians to hold former Chiefs of Army Staff responsible for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the Nigerian military.

Naija News reports that former army chief included Generals Luka Yusuf, Kenneth Minimah, Azubuike Ihejirika, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Tukur Buratai.

Appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the matter in Abuja on Monday, the army chief distanced himself from any wrongdoing in the procurement of arms and ammunition running into billions of naira from 2011 till date.

Attahiru asked the lawmakers to ask “specific individuals” involved in the deals to account for the funds budgeted for procurement of weapons over the years.

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