Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 31st August, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 31st August 2021

1. Another Tragic Chapter – President Buhari Mourns Assassination Of Sen Na’Allah’s Son

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that the killers of Captain Abdulkareem, the first son of Senator Bala Na’Allah in Kaduna will not go scot-free.

The President made the vow in a statement on Monday in which he reacted to the assassination of the lawmaker’s son by yet-to-be-identified assailants.

Buhari who expressed sorrow and commiserated with the family of the deceased on the development as contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu further assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens.

He also appealed to residents to expose all criminally-minded persons and criminal activities in their community by reporting such to security agencies for appropriate action.

2. CJN Tanko Summons Six State Judges Over Conflicting Court Orders

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has summoned six state Chief Judges over conflicting orders emanating from their courts.

Confirming the summon, media aide to the CJN, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, said Muhammad issued the summons in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

The judges summoned are Chief Judges of Rivers, Kebbi, Cross River, Anambra, Jigawa, and Imo states.

It was gathered that following the summon on Monday, the six judges will first appear before CJN Tanko before appearing before the NJC to give reasons for their conflicting orders.

The meeting between the CJN and the affected Heads of Courts would hold this week before their appearance before the NJC next week, The Nation reports.

3. ‘No Need To Worry’ – FG Speaks On Borrowing Sensibly And Responsibly

The Federal Government on Monday asked Nigerians not to worry about the nation’s increasing debt profile.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made this known during a press conference in Abuja while reacting to the recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the growth of the economy

According to the minister, the government’s continued borrowing will not affect the economy negatively as projected by some Nigerians.

The minister stated that the government is borrowing “sensibly and responsibly”, adding it only borrows to invest in critical infrastructures in the country that will later yield proceeds.

4. DSS Releases Eight Of 12 Detained Sunday Igboho’s Aides

Eight of the 12 aides of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, have been released by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, their counsel, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said his clients were released on Monday (today) after being in DSS custody for 61 days.

According to Olagbesi, the secret police failed to release four of Igboho’s aides after Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had granted bail to the 12 detainees.

He, however, demanded the immediate release of the remaining four of his clients, urging the DSS to obey court order and respect the law.

5. Buhari Vs Ortom: Why We Summoned Channels TV – NBC

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has finally reacted to the query it issued to a popular broadcast station, Channels Television.

Naija News reports that the commission had queried the media outlet over an interview granted by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State last week.

The regulator also summoned two of the station’s presenters, Chamberlain Usoh and Kayode Okikiolu, to Abuja over the interview.

Speaking on the reason the commission queried the media outlet, NBC Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, said the media outlet failed to adhere to its regulations during the interview.

Ilelah added that Channels TV violated six of its codes during the interview and that the anchors failed to interrogate the governor thoroughly.

The NBC boss also denied reports that the commission is doing the bidding of the Presidency, asking media platforms to help the commission in regulating the broadcast industry.

Ilelah stated that the commission will keep on summoning any media outfit that goes contrary to NBC code, adding that no media outfit is above the law.

The NBC boss stated these when he received members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the commission’s office in Abuja on Monday.

6. DHQ Confirms Military Jet Shot At Boat In Rivers State, Reveals Why It Opened Fire

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed a military aircraft shot at a boat in Rivers State a few days ago and also narrated its own side of the incident.

The DHQ statement further identified the military personnel involved in the incident as those of the Air Component of the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS).

The statement released on Sunday and signed by the Director Defence Information, Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr however denied that the said boat was conveying people and foodstuff from Port Harcourt to Bonny.

It will be recalled that many occupants were said to have been severely injured when the fighter helicopter opened fire during the encounter and have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Furthermore, the boat was said to be conveying foodstuff and passengers from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State.

However, the DHQ statement said the boat in question was not conveying foodstuff and passengers but suspected illegal crude oil, and those on board were suspected illegal oil bunkers.

It added that the military personnel initially only fired warning shots at the said boat but when the boat responded with unfriendly fire, the troops had no choice but to engage.

7. Killings: Military Warns Plateau Residents Against Carrying Arms

The Nigerian military has asked residents of Plateau State not to listen to the call by the State Assembly to take up arms and defend themselves against bandit terrorists.

Following the recent killings in the state, the assembly had asked residents to pick up arms and defend themselves against bandit terrorists.

Speaking at a press conference held in Jos, Chairman of House of Committee on Information, Philip Dasun, said the assembly condemned the barbaric and dastardly killings in the state.

But in a statement issued in Jos on Monday, media of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj. Ishaku Takwa berated the assembly for calling on residents to take up arms in the guise of self-defence.

The military added that the calls made by the lawmakers would escalate the security challenges bedevilling the state, asking the residents to shun violence, hatred and tolerate one another for peace to reign.

It also urged citizens of the state to continue to give support to security agencies toward restoring lasting peace and security in the state.

8. Buhari’s Minister, Akume Asks EFCC To Investigate Ortom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has been charged by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, to go after the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

The former governor of Benue State made this call during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

The briefing was attended by the elders/stakeholders of the All progressives congress in Benue.

The minister also charged Ortom to stop attacking President Muhammadu Buhari.

9. Plateau Govt Relaxes Curfew In Jos, Bassa, To Pay Medical Bill Of Victims

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has commiserated with citizens of the state that have lost someone or had their properties destroyed.

Naija News reports that the governor stated this during s State broadcast on Monday morning by 6.30 am.

Governor Lalong disclosed that he has directed his government to pay bills of affected persons.

The governor stated that the curfew imposed on Jos North has been relaxed from 6pm to 6am, while Jos South and Bassa are to be from 10pm to 6am.

According to the governor, the adjusted dates will take effect from today Monday, 30th of August, 2021.

10. Amaechi’s Confession, Evidence Of Corruption In Buhari Government – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party has noted that the recent confession of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is a clarity that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress is a haven of thieves and treasury looters.

PDP stated this while reacting to the confession by the former governor of Rivers State that stealing is going on under the Buhari Government.

The main opposition party said the “confession also further confirms that the Buhari-led APC administration has been providing official cover for corrupt officials, who have turned government agencies to cash cows and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for themselves, their cronies, family members and mistresses.”

The PDP said this in a statement titled, ‘Amaechi’s APC Looting Confession Vindicates PDP,’ signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Monday.

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