Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday, 16th August, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 16th August 2021

1. COVID-19 Scare: Buhari, Aides Go Into Isolation After UK Trip

President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his delegation to London, UK, have gone into isolation following a COVID-19 scare.

Naija News reports that this is following reports of a positive coronavirus test of the UK High Commissioner, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola who was in close contact with the President at the Airport in London and other members of the embassy staff.

Buhari was accompanied to the UK by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, among others.

Confirming the reports, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari and his aides would go into isolation as part of international travel guidelines.

2. Plateau Attacks: IGP Deploys High-Powered Team To Protect Residents

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has deployed a special team of police operatives to Plateau State in the wake of recent incessant attacks on residents by bandits.

The team which comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu.

The team according to a statement sent to Naija News on Sunday by the force public relations officer, CP Frank Mba, has the mandate to “protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

It will be recalled as previously reported by this online news media that not less than twenty-two persons were confirmed killed on Saturday following an attack by bandits along Rukuba road in Jos north LGA, Plateau state.

The gunmen who attacked the travellers also injured fourteen others.

3. APC Governors Meet Rashidi Ladoja In Ibadan

Three Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Sunday paid a visit to a former Oyo Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Ibadan residence.

Though details of the discussion were still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, sources claimed the meeting was aimed at bringing the politician to the ruling APC.

It was gathered that as soon as the visitors arrived at Ladoja’s residence, a closed-door meeting started, TheNation reports.

The meeting, which was said to have started around 1:35pm, lasted till around 2:30pm.

4. Plateau Killings: Atiku Abubakar Condemns Killing By Gunmen

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the killing of over 20 Muslims in Plateau State.

Naija News recalls that a militia group had attacked some commuters killing over 20 Muslims and injuring scores on Saturday morning, along Rukuba road, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

Following the killing, Governor Simon Bako Lalong imposed a 24-hour curfew in Jos North and dusk-to-dawn in Bassa and Jos South local government areas.

Reacting in a statement sent to Naija News on Sunday by his media aide Paul Ibe, Atiku condoled with families that have lost loved ones to killings in the country.

5. President Buhari Makes 5 Fresh Appointments

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of five new Khadis for the Shariah Court of Appeal.

The appointment was confirmed in a statement on Sunday by Mallam Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed.

Naija News reports the Khadis are equivalent of conventional Justices and their appointment follows the recommendation made to the President by appropriate authorities.

Those approved for appointment are Salisu Garba, Bashir Danmaisule, Muhammad A. Sadis, Lawal Sule, and Abdullahi Adam Al-Ilorin.

The statement added that the Chief Justice of Nigeria will swear in the Khadis on Monday, August 16, 2021, at the Supreme Court Complex.

They are to be inaugurated along with Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf whom the President also approved his appointment as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

6. Court Orders Army To Release IPOB ‘Sponsor’

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Nigerian Army to release Tochukwu Okeke who has been in detention since July 5 over allegation of sponsoring the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Justice Stephen Pam asked the Nigerian Army to release Okeke unconditionally.

Naija News reports that the judge made the decision after hearing a fundamental right enforcement suit that was filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chinedum Agwaramgbo.

The court directed the service of the order on the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaha and the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Mechanized Division, Enugu, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who were listed as 1st to 3rd Respondents in the suit marked FHC/PH/203/2021.

7. Full List Of Travellers Killed By Gunmen In Plateau State On Saturday Revealed

Various reactions have continued to trail the gruesome murder of some innocent travellers on Saturday in the Rukuba area of Plateau State.

As earlier reported by Naija News, not less than 22 persons were murdered in cold blood following an attack by bandits along Rukuba Road in Jos North LGA, Plateau state.

The gunmen who attacked the travellers also injured fourteen others while a total of 34 others are still missing.

The travellers were part of worshippers who were on their way to Ondo state after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi, when they were attacked.

While the State Governor, Simon Lalong has declared a curfew in the affected areas, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has also deployed a special team of Police operatives to restore calm in the area.

But in a fresh development, a report monitored by our correspondent on HumAngle has revealed the names of the travellers who were unfortunately killed during the attack on Saturday.

8. FBI Vs Abba Kyari: CNG Petitions US Govt, Demand Fair Trial

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG has written a petition to the United States Embassy in Nigeria seeking fairness in the matter between the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.

Recall that the FBI had requested for Kyari’s extradition to America so that he woul answer to charges brought against him in connection with a $1.1m scam involving a self-confessed fraudster, Ramon Abbas a.k.a. Hushpuppi.

However, the CNG in the petition signed by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, expressed worry over “the trajectory introduced around Kyari’s case.”

CNG said it specifically noted that the FBI might have breached the standard legal and diplomatic practice by neglecting to contact either the Nigerian High Commission in the US or the Nigerian authorities through the FBI liaison offices based in Nigeria before going ahead to file for indictment of a top Nigerian Security Officer.

9. We Are Not Terrorists And Have No Link To IPOB, You Can’t Outlaw Us – Yoruba Group To FG

The Yoruba self-determination group known as Ilana Omo Oodua headed by Professor Banji Akintoye had stated that they are not a terrorists.

Naija News reports that the group made the clarification following reports that the federal government was plotting to proscribe the group.

Recall that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the then Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, had in September 2017 approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to give judicial backing to the Executive Order of President Buhari, outlawing IPOB and its activities in every part of Nigeria.

Speaking on Saturday the office of the AGF stated that it was open to all option to put a stop to calls for Nigeria’s break up.

Akintoye’s Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, told PUNCH that the Buhari government won’t want to descend low to outlaw the group.

10. Miyetti Allah Reacts To Killing Of 22 Travellers In Jos

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the ambush and killing of 22 travellers along Rukuba Road in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

Naija News earlier reported that the travellers were killed while fourteen others got injured on Saturday following an attack by gunmen suspected to be bandits.

The travellers were said to be part of Muslim worshippers who were on their way to Ondo state after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi.

Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police spokesperson, Ubah Ogaba said 21 victims were rescued while six suspects have been arrested in connection with the development.

But in a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, on Sunday in Jos, MACBAN described the killing of the travellers as senseless and barbaric.

The Fulani group, however, urged security agencies to fish out perpetrators of this dastardly act and bring them to justice.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.