Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 9th June, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 9th June 2021

1. Obasanjo, Sultan, Others Convene Emergency Meeting Over National Issues

The Olusegun Obasanjo-led Interfaith Initiatives for Peace has convened a meeting to discuss “pressing issues” in the country.

Naija News reports that other leaders of the group include Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto; Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, and John Onaiyekan, former Catholic archbishop of Abuja.

The meeting is scheduled to hold on June 10 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

Issues to be discussed by the group include national unity, security, peace, integration, economic revitalization, and development.

2. Twitter Ban: House Of Reps Summon Lai Mohammed

The House of Representatives has started an inquiry into the Federal Government’s decision to ban Twitter operations in Nigeria.

It plans to investigate the legal framework behind the federal government’s decision-making process, The Nation reported.

Nigeria suspended Twitter’s operations on Friday, two days after the social network removed a post from President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to punish separatists in Nigeria, Reuters reported.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, made the remarks while addressing his colleagues on the resumption of the two-week recess.

The Speaker said the relevant parliamentary committees of Communication, Justice and Legal Matters would submit a report within 10 days to allow the House to decide on the ban.

3. IPOB: Police Storm ESN Camp In Imo, Burn Down Their House

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on clearance mission have dislodged some members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) from their camp in Akabo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

Naija News gathered the police operatives from the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by DCP Abba Kyari carried out the operation on Tuesday.

The ESN is the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.

During the raid by the security operatives, a policewoman who was allegedly kidnapped and held captive at the ESN base was also freed.

The building housing the ESN fighters was thereafter set on fire by the police operatives.

4. Kaduna State University Suspends Academic Activities Indefinitely

The Kaduna State University (KASU) has announced the suspension of all undergraduate academic activities till further notice.

Naija News reports that the development was made known in a statement on Tuesday by KASU Registrar, Mr Samuel Manshop.

Manshop, however, noted that while the undergraduate lectures are put on hold, postgraduate programmes, college of medicine, faculty of pharmaceutical sciences and part-time programmes will continue with their activities.

The registrar, however, did not disclose the reason for halting the academic activities for only undergraduate students.

5. Twitter Ban: Finally, Malami Deactivates Account

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has deactivated his account.

Sharing a screenshot of his deactivated account on Facebook, Malami restated his stand on the ban of the micro-blogging site.

He wrote, “My Twitter Account Deactivated”.

Malami ordered the prosecution of Nigerians defying the federal government’s ban on Twitter by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

6. Insecurity: Give More Powers To State Governors – Makinde Tells Buhari

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has advocated that the federal government must give more powers to the states as part of ways to combat insecurity in Nigeria.

The Governor submitted that what the country practices currently is more of a unitary system that concentrates more power in the central government.

He however noted that with the size and composition of Nigeria, it is clear that such a system can’t work effectively.

The Oyo State Governor observed that states should be in control of their natural resources and security architecture.

7. Twitter Is Nnamdi Kanu’s Platform To Destabilise Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Monday said Twitter is the social media platform of choice for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to “destabilize Nigeria”.

The minister made this accusation on Monday evening during an interview with BBC News Africa.

Mohammed who defended the Federal Government’s Twitter ban, added that the Buhari government would not allow separatists set the country on fire.

8. June 12: We Will Deal With Those Who Wants To Cause Trouble – IGP

Nigeria’s number one police officer, Usman Alkali Baba, says the force will deal firmly with any person or group who may want to cause trouble during the June 12 celebration.

The Inspector-General of Police made this known during a meeting with strategic commanders of the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja on Monday.

Baba also directed Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in states and FCT to maintain law and order during the celebration of Democracy Day.

The police chief, however, urged them to remain civil with law-abiding citizens during the Democracy Day celebration.

9. Insecurity: Bandits Are Tired, Want Peace – Sheikh Gumi

Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday disclosed that bandits invading states in Northern Nigeria want peace.

Gumi during an interview with Daily Post, said the bandits want peace because they are tired.

The cleric further stated that the bandits are ready to turn in their weapons if they get a genuine partnership from the government.

When asked if bandits were tired, Gumi said: “Yes, it’s very true because bandits are saying they were pushed into banditry by circumstances.

10. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB Agitations Right, Methods Wrong – Ikpeazu

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has stated that some grievances of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) such as marginalization were genuine.

He said that though he has no personal grudge against Nnamdi Kanu he disagrees with his approach.

Speaking to newsmen, the governor said IPOB’s method of using violence would produce any good ending.

Ikpeazu expressed readiness to engage the IPOB leader in a bid to restore peace in the south-east region.

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