Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 5th July, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 5th July 2021

1. I Never Praised Buhari For Arresting Nnamdi Kanu – Ihedioha

Former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha has described as fake, the press release which quoted him as commending President Muhammadu Buhari for arresting Nnamdi Kanu.

Ihedioha also accused the camp of Hope Uzodinma of being responsible for spreading the fake news.

It will be recalled that Ihedioha was quoted to have described Kanu’s arrest as a welcome development when he met the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, in Abuja.

The arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami last Tuesday.

However, a spokesman for Ihedioha, Aic Akwarandu said his principal never praised President Buhari for arresting the IPOB leader.

Akwarandu said those behind the fake information are mischief-makers.

2. Bayelsa: Governor Diri Speaks On Dumping PDP For APC

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri has debunked claims that he is planning to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor in a statement on Sunday through his Director-General, New Media, Mr. Kola Oredipe said Diri is fully committed to the PDP.

The declaration by the Governor’s camp follows a call by a former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi, at the weekend, during a stakeholders meeting of the APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, for Diri to jump ship and join the APC as some other Governors have done.

But the Bayelsa Governor said it will be a political suicide to dump the PDP for APC in Bayelsa, further describing Ebebi as a joker.

3. PDP vs APC: Obasanjo Set To Form New Political Party Ahead Of 2023

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly plotting to establish a new political party ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to Vanguard, the new party would accommodate aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A source revealed that while Obasanjo may have claimed resignation from political activities, he remains active in the mobilization of people particularly in determining who wins major offices in the 2023 elections.

The source also stated that the former president is convinced that the APC and PDP are likely to be embroiled in serious political conflicts that would leave them in a bad shape to be able to contest and win the forthcoming elections.

4. Troops Kill Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists After Attack On Police Convoy

A joint team of the Nigerian army and air force have eliminated 28 ISWAP-Boko Haram terrorists along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.

The terrorists dressed in military fatigue had attacked a Mobile Police Force convoy, returning from Buni Yadi, between Auno-Garin Kuturu in Kaga Local Government Area.

The insurgents killed one mobile police officer and seized a police vehicle.

Air and ground forces were mobilised for the operation after a distress call was sent to the Nigerian military during the attack.

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35M helicopter located and engaged the terrorists.

Three gun trucks were destroyed alongside the occupants while fleeing terrorists were ambushed by soldiers at Malam Fantari village.

5. Nnamdi Kanu: Rearrest, Repatriation Not Illegal – Malami Insists

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has insisted that it followed due process in the rearrest and repatriation of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Recall that Nnamdi Kanu was reportedly rearrested in Kenya and extradited back to Nigeria last Sunday.

He was then arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako who ordered his remand in the custody of the DSS until his next trial date.

Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country, only to re-emerge in Israel and then in the United Kingdom.

Speaking to The PUNCH, The Special Assistant to AGF Malami on Media and Public Relations, Jibrilu Gwandu, said the IPOB leader was represented by a lawyer throughout the judicial process that led to the grant of his earlier bail.

6. ISWAP-Boko Haram Appoints New Commanders, Rejig Structures

The Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawiy-led Interim Council of the ISWAP-Boko Haram terrorists’ group has reshuffled the leadership and structures of the extremist sect.

It was gathered that the restructuring which was directed by ISIS Headquarters became necessary after the killing of some commanders by the Nigeria military.

After the killing of some prominent terrorists’ commanders, PRNigeria gathered that the Interim Council held an emergency meeting which was attended by Wali (Leaders), Qa’ids (Chiefs), Commanders and all other structures of both ISWAP and Boko Haram.

Abbah Gana aka Ba-Lawan is reappointed as the new Leader of ISWAP, six months after his removal by the ISWAP Shura Council for losing the confidence of most of his loyalists and top commanders.

7. Nnamdi Kanu Never Asked Us To Bury Ikonso With 2000 Heads- IPOB

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has denied the claim by an arrested Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, asked the group to bury the late Ikonso with 2,000 heads.

Naija News earlier reported that the ESN commander, Emeoyiri Benjamin had alleged that Kanu ordered them to bury Ikonso with 2,000 heads.

Benjamin also disclosed how he and his gang members fortified themselves with charms prepared with heads of 10 young girls abducted in the state.

But in a statement on Sunday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB debunked the alleged false testimony against the group.

Powerful also described the allegation by the ESN member as false and baseless, accusing the Nigeria Police Force of falsehood.

8. APC: Marafa Rejects Matawalle As Leader, Challenges Buni National Leadership

A former Senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Kabir Marafa has disclosed that the agreements that brought Governor Bello Matawalle to APC didn’t include making him the leader in Zamfara State.

He, therefore, challenged the declaration made by the chairman of the APC national caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni which positioned Matawalle as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State.

Marafa who warned Buni to thread carefully added that the legality of his position as the APC national caretaker committee chairman will soon be challenged as well.

9. Those Dumping PDP For APC Are Prostitutes – Eedris Abdulkareem

Nigerian Music legend, Eedris Abdulkareen has described politicians dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as prostitutes.

Speaking to DailyPost, the Jagajaga crooner lamented that Nigeria is fast becoming a one-party state.

According to him, the PDP has lost its relevance and cannot be recognized as a strong opposition party.

10. Bandits Kill Seven Victims In Kaduna State

Bandits operating in some communities within Kaduna State have killed up to seven persons within three days.

This development has been confirmed by the Kaduna State government in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.

The killing of seven persons happened in different locations in the state, Naija News reports.

According to Aruwan, the bandits killed their victims in Chikun, Kajuru, and Giwa Local Government Areas of the state, adding that the security agencies confirmed the incidents to the state government on Saturday.

He explained that the security report revealed that the bandits shot four victims of kidnap dead at the outskirts of Tsohon Gayan general area of Chikun.

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