Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 31st May, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 31st May 2021

1. How Ahmed Gulak Was Killed By Armed Bandits In Imo State – Police

The Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police has revealed further details of how a former Special Adviser on politics to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak was killed.

As earlier reported by Naija News, Gulak was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday while he was on his way to Abuja from Owerri.

Explaining details of how Gulak was killed, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bala Elkana in a statement on Sunday said Gulak didn’t inform the Police or any other sister security agency of his movement.

Elkana added that the cab driver who took the politician to the airport avoided the normal route where they were attacked by six armed bandits.

He added that the state commissioner of police has ordered a discreet investigation into Gulak’s killing.

2. Presidency Says Nothing New About Nigerians Accusing Buhari Of Ethnicity And Nepotism

The presidency has declared that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is not the first and would not be the last to be accused by Nigerians of favouritism and nepotism.

Buhari’s spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu made the submission on Sunday during an interview session on Channels TV political Programme, Sunday Politics.

According to the presidential media aide, Nigerians have the habit of accusing all past governments of the same offence when it comes to making appointments and are not about to stop with the current administration.

The interviewer had quoted a 2019 statement by President Buhari in which he said “True Federalism is the way to go.’

He thereafter questioned the media aide on the belief by some Nigerians that President Buhari is making lopsided appointments by focusing on particular tribes and regions and neglecting other regions in the country.

3. Nasarawa Lawmaker, Ismail Danbaba Kidnapped By Unknown Gunmen

Some yet to be identified gunmen have kidnapped Ismail Danbaba, a lawmaker representing Nasarawa Central in the statehouse.

Reports made available to newsmen on Sunday claimed that the politician was ambushed on Saturday evening while on his way to Jos, Plateau State for a legislative workshop scheduled for Sunday, May 30.

Naija News learnt from a statement by the Chairman, Committee on information, Muhammed Omadefu, that Danbaba was ambushed in Sanga Local Government of Kaduna State.

The kidnappers were said to have contacted the family and demanded a ransom payment.

4. Former President Accused Of Plans To Forcefully Remove Buhari From Office

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has alleged that a former President is spearheading a group of eminent Nigerians planning to remove President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

The group in a statement on Sunday said the former civilian president is working with a group of conspirators to cause confusion in Nigeria.

Although the organization didn’t reveal any particular name, it said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that its security sources have uncovered an ‘uprising’ to force the resignation of President Buhari.

It warned those allegedly planning the act to desist from such plans as it is counter-productive and would be resisted by Nigerians.

5. Obasanjo Reveals Solution To Insecurity

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday said the security challenges affecting Nigeria can be solved by Nigerians both home and abroad.

The elder statesman said Nigerians have a role to play if there would be a lasting solution to the security challenges in the country.

Obasanjo while speaking during his visit to the Ayangbunren of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Sotobi, lamented the death of former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, who was shot dead in Imo State on Sunday.

The former president said the security challenges in the country also led to the kidnapping of the wife of one of his managers about three weeks ago.

He called on Nigerians to contribute their quota towards the development of the nation saying, “the current regime had done all it could to tackle security challenges in Nigeria”

6. ‘You Will Not Go Free’ – Buhari To Killers Of Ahmed Gulak

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the gruesome killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Adviser on political matters to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former Nigerian leader.

Naija News reports that a barrage of reactions has greeted the murder of Gulak by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State on Saturday. A viral video on social media and on mainstream media showed the politician lying in the pool of his blood.

Though no group has claimed the killing of Gulak, unconfirmed assertions alleged he was killed by men of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Reacting to the sad development through a statement released by the presidency, President Buhari vowed that perpetrators of the act will not go unpunished.

He assured that all resources will be deployed to ensure that the killers are brought to justice.

7. Yoruba Nation Agitators Forcefully Reopen Idiroko Border

Some Yoruba nation agitators on Saturday stormed the land border located at Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State and forcefully opened the border.

The agitators, however, were repelled by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service who were manning the border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Recall that the Federal Government closed the border in 2019 when it directed that all forms of importation be done through the seaports.

A video which was spotted online showed a gun being snatched away from an Immigration officer.

A man who was dressed in a yellow T-Shirt can be seen in the 19-minute-and-23 -second video clip shooting the gun into the air to the admiration of others at the scene.

8. Osodeke Emerges New ASUU President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday witnessed a transition as elected Prof. Victor Emmanuel Osodeke of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State emerged as its new President.

Mr Chris Piwuna, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Jos, was also made Vice President of the union via election.

Naija News understands that the new leadership will pilot the affairs of the university union for the next two years. The executive council of ASUU would however spend a maximum of four years.

They were elected at the national delegates conference of ASUU held in Awka, Anambra State.

Others elected into the union executive council include Prof. Siji Sowande (Treasurer); Prof. Ade Adejumo (Financial Secretary); Dr. Austen Sado (Investment Secretary); Dr. Adamu Babayo (Internal Auditor) and Dr. Stella-Maris Okey (Welfare Secretary).

9. Army Dismisses 3,040 Soldiers Over Rape, Other Misconducts

No fewer than 3,040 soldiers have been dismissed from the Nigerian Army over various acts of misconduct which include rape.

Naija News reports that names and crimes committed by each of the personnel were revealed in a 90-page document titled, ‘List of soldiers dismissed from the Nigerian Army,’ made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

The acts of misconduct by the soldiers as contained in the document, include indiscipline, desertion, possession of hard drugs, rape, and murder. Also, some of the soldiers were discharged for cowardice, forgery, drunkenness, poor performance, disobedience to orders, absence from duty/parade, and failure to perform military duty.

The document also revealed that scores were axed for Bank Verification Number issues, vetting problems, insubordination, civil offence, extortion, defilement and conduct prejudicial to service. Others were dismissed for conspiracy, ‘misfire,’ stealing, impersonation, attempted rape, assault, unlawful release of prisoners, and cheating.

Naija News understands that over a thousand soldiers were as well discharged for AWOL (Away Without Leave), while hundreds of others were sacked for desertion.

The dismissal period was, however, not contained in the document.

10. Insecurity: Garba Shehu Reveals Safest Region In Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday disclosed that the South-West region is the safest part of Nigeria.

The presidential aide stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme.

Shehu further stated that the country is now safer than when the current administration took over power in 2015.

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