Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 28th May, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Friday, 28th May 2021

1. President Buhari Appoints New Chief Of Army Staff

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
This development was announced on Thursday, 27th May, 2021.

He replaces Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a military plane crash in Kaduna last Friday.

Prior to his appointment Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counterterrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.

2. Nigeria In Safe Hands Despite Rising Insecurity – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that the country is safe with the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Speaking on Thursday when he received the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye, and his entourage at his office in Abuja on Thursday, Mohammed said the country in safe hands despite the rising insecurity affecting the country.

Mohammed, who was quoted in a statement on the ministry’s website on Thursday, asked leaders at all levels to give the people a message of hope instead of making comments that can only aggravate tension in the country.

Mohammed, however, advised citizens not to listen to predictions about Nigeria because they will never come to pass.

3. How SARS Disbandment Has Affected Insecurity In Nigeria – IGP

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has disclosed that the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has limited the ability of the Police Force in fighting crime and insecurity.

He made the submission on Thursday during the weekly Ministerial briefing, organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the regular police operatives have not been able to fully step into the roles of the SARS operatives and the general morale of personnel was negatively affected as well.

He however added that efforts are ongoing to train the regular operatives to step into the vacuum created by the disbandment of SARS operatives.

The IGP also said the recent strings of attacks in the Southeast against Police formations have affected the morale of operatives and stands condemned.

4. Brekete: NBC Suspends License Of Radio Station

The license of the Brekete Family radio programme has been suspended by the National Broadcasting Commission.

Naija News understands that the broadcast regulator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria suspended the popular radio and tv station over recurring unprofessional conducts.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, shortly after NBC met with the founder, Ahmed Isah, who is condemned for assaulting an interviewee on a live programme.

Naija News reports that Isah was caught in a BBC documentary assaulting a woman who allegedly set her nephew’s head on fire on the allegation that she is a witch.

5. FG Confirms When Nigerian Teachers Will Start Getting Special Salary

The federal government has revealed that the new special salary scale approved for Nigerian teachers by President Muhammadu Buhari will become effective as from January 1, 2022.

This was confirmed in a statement on Wednesday by the government through its official Twitter handle.

Naija News recalls President Muhammadu Buhari had in October 2020, approved some new benefits for Nigerian teachers on the occasion of the 2020 World Teachers Day.

According to the President, the new approval is in recognition of the roles of teachers in nation-building and to encourage them in delivering better service.

While the approved benefits are awaiting implementation, the federal government has revealed that the teachers will start enjoying the benefits in January 2022.

6. Biafra: Police Capture IPOB/ESN Top Sponsors

Some individuals allegedly sponsoring/financing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been arrested by the police.

Naija News reports that the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba made this known on Thursday while speaking at the Presidential briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Usman Baba said that the police were looking at the involvement of suspected IPOB/ESN sponsors in their custody and those outside the country.

According to the police boss, the suspects would be arraigned in court after a thorough investigation.

He also said that the police have recorded successes against secessionists and suspected criminals in the southeast, adding that the suspect in the police custody can not be prosecuted and brought to justice because of the ongoing strike by judiciary workers.

7. Troops Raid Boko Haram Storehouse In Yobe, Arrest Logistics Supplier

Nigerian Army troops have raided a suspected Boko Haram storehouse located in Kurkareta town, Yobe State.

Naija News understands various logistics supply including jerrycans of petrol, vehicles and other items belonging to the terrorists were recovered during the operation.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima confirmed the raid, noting that it was based on actionable intelligence provided by some members of the community.

Those arrested during the raid as well as items recovered from them are in army custody for preliminary investigation before they are handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution.

8. Osoba Says APC Divided Over Herdsmen Crisis, Issues Warning To Garba Shehu

Ex-Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, to watch what he says so he does not go against his principal and the ruling APC.

The South-West APC leader stated this while featuring on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ programme.

The former governor also lamented that leaders in the ruling party are also divided over the herdsmen crisis rocking the nation.

9. Police Arrest Attackers Of Ortom’s Convoy In Benue

Nigeria’s number one police officer, Usman Alkali Baba, has disclosed that 10 suspects have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on the convoy of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

Naija News had reported at that time how unknown gunmen attacked the Ortom’s convoy at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road while the governor was on a visit to a farm.

Speaking on the development at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the acting Inspector-General of Police explained why there has been a delay in the arraignment of the suspects.

He noted that the suspects are currently in detention and they could not be charged to court, owing to the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

10. Protesting Ijaw Youths Shut Down NDDC Headquarters In Rivers State

The headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has been shut down by protesting youths.

The youths in their hundreds under the aegis of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) stormed the NDDC office on Thursday and shut down the building.

They also hoisted the IYC flag and stopped all human and vehicular entry into the building.

The youths also set up two tents in front of the main entrance of the newly-commissioned complex, singing and dancing to solidarity songs.

The youths have vowed to remain there until the federal government inaugurates the NDDC board.

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