Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 17th November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 17th November 2021

1. Buhari Condemns Killing Of 15 In Sokoto, Issues Directive To Security Agents

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest massacre of 15 people in Goronyo and Illela Local Government Areas of Sokoto.

Buhari in a statement through his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu, warned that “this needless and mindless violence against innocent people cannot go unpunished.”

Buhari warned that: “This persistent and unprovoked violence against unarmed civilians must be met with fierce response by the government.

“Let me once again, reassure Nigerians, that this administration will not abandon them to their fate in the face of this existential challenge caused by banditry.”

According to the President, “we are taking delivery of military equipment to improve the capacity of our security forces to effectively deal with this issue.

2. #EndSARS: Buhari Told To Sack, Arrest And Prosecute Lai Mohammed

A call has gone out to President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack and ensure the arrest and prosecution of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

The call was made on Tuesday in a statement by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

HURIWA spoke against the background of the revelations made in the report submitted on Monday to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters.

While the Minister had on several occasions after the Lekki Toll Gate shootings of October 20, 2020, insisted that no life was lost, and even demanded apologies from persons and organizations with reports on loss of lives during the incident, the report of the panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi disclosed that not less than eleven people were killed at the Lekki tollgate incident.

The report added that at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers.

Reacting to the latest development, HURIWA has likened the actions of Alhaji Mohammed to the denial of the Holocaust of the 6 million Jews by Adolf Hitler.

The rights group said if the President refuses to take action, he would be forever remembered as the leader who oversaw the genocide of young Nigerian protesters and the generations unborn will never forgive him.

3. #EndSARS: CDS Says Lagos Judicial Panel Report Has Not Confirmed Soldiers Killed Lekki Toll Gate Protesters Yet

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has declared that the right thing to do is to wait for the white paper report on the Lagos Judicial Panel report before taking any position on the reported Lekki Toll Gate killing of protesters by soldiers.

The CDS added that it is wrong to assume what is coming from social media about the panel report is the absolute truth.

Naija News recalls the report of the panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi disclosed that not less than eleven people were killed at the Lekki tollgate incident.

The report added that at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers.

However, Irabor who spoke with journalists on Tuesday in Edo State said until the white paper on the Lekki Toll Gate incident is officially released, Nigerians should avoid inciting comments and respect the sacrifice and efforts of the armed forces in maintaining peace in the country.

The CDS said he can’t verify the truth and authenticity of the contents of the report based on what social media is claiming and would rather wait until the white paper on the report is released before making comments.

He said the armed forces of Nigeria operate with all professionalism and are always guided by the rules of engagement guiding their operations.

3. Army Says ISWAP Fighters Plotting To Kill More Military Commanders

The Nigerian Army has revealed that fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are planning to kill more military commanding officers.

Naija News reports that ISWAP fighters had during the weekend killed Brig-Gen Dzarma Zirkusu and three other soldiers in an ambush while they were on their way to reinforce troops at Askira Uba LGA in Borno.

Until his death, General Zirkusu was the commander of the 28 Task Force in Chibok.

The Nigerian Army, in a signal seen by Sahara Reporters on Monday, has warned troops against letting their commanders get killed.

Stating the effect of such an incident, the army said the death of a commander is bad for fighting spirit as it would leave troops without direction.

The army authorities warned that a battle could have been “lost if a commander is killed.”

4. Five Dead, Others Injured In Lagos Gas Explosion

A gas explosion has occurred at Ojekunle Street, Ladipo in Mushin area of Lagos State on Tuesday morning.

Naija News gathered that five people have been confirmed dead and others severely injured in the sad incident that happened at 8:00 am.

As at the time of this report, efforts were being made by the Lagos State Fire Service and the State Emergency Management Agency to rescue victims.

Confirming the incident, the Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the explosion occurred at an LPG domestic retailing centre in the area.

He disclosed that five persons were recovered dead while a baby was the only victim rescued at the scene.

5. US Speaks On #EndSARS Report, Tells Lagos Govt What To Do

The United States government has reacted to the report submitted to the Lagos State government by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters.

Naija News reports that the Justice Doris Okuwobi (retired)-led panel had on Monday submitted it’s report to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

While Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had on several occasions after the Lekki Toll Gate shootings of October 20, 2020, insisted that no life was lost, and even demanded apologies from persons and organizations with reports on loss of lives during the incident, the report of the panel disclosed that not less than eleven people were killed at the Lekki tollgate incident.

The report added that at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the US Mission in Nigeria said it is awaiting the response of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and that of the Lagos government.

The US Embassy said the response of authorities would represent an important mechanism of accountability regarding the EndSARS protests and the events at the tollgate.

6. Unilorin Expels 400level Student Who Beat Up Lecturer

The authorities of the University of Ilorin have expelled Salaudeen Waliu Aanuoluwa with the matriculation number 17/55EJ198 from the school after assaulting a lecturer in the university.

The decision was reached after he was brought before the institution’s students’ disciplinary committee who found him guilty.

The university authority after its decision handed him over to the police for further actions.

Recall that the 400-Level student, popularly identified as Captain Walz, beat up a lecturer, Mrs Zakariyyah, to stupor after an altercation on his academics.

7. President Buhari Must Take Responsibility For Lekki Massacre – Moghalu

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, has called for the prosecution and punishment for people involved in the Lekki shooting of October 20, 2020.

Moghalu in a post on his Twitter account on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief, should also take responsibility for the killing.

The former Presidential candidate stated this while reacting to the report submitted by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Monday which indicted the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force.

The panel in the report submitted to the Lagos State Government disclosed that several people were killed on October 20, 2020, at Lekki Tollgate, while many others were injured.

8. Boko Haram In Control Of Five Communities In Niger State – Govt

Governor Abubakar Bello-led government has lamented that Boko Haram terrorists are in control of five communities in Rafi and Shiroto Local Government Areas of Niger State.

The development was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane on Monday.

Matane in his statement identified the affected communities as – Kurebe, Farina Kuka, Gussau in Shiroro LGA and Madaka, Hanawanka in Rafi LGAs of the state.

He further stated that the activities of the insurgents in these communities have forced residents of the communities to migrate to the safer part of the state and outside the state.

The SSG added that the terrorists are freely moving in the affected communities wielding sophisticated and menacing weapons.

Matane added that the state government is working with security agencies to keep its citizens safe.

9. APC: Ganduje’s Former Deputy Joins Shekarau’s Faction

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s deputy during his first term, Hafiz Abubakar, has joined the All Progressives Congress faction of Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano State

It was gathered that Abubakar and several others were in attendance at an event that was held at the residence of Shekarau on Tuesday.

This is coming after Senator Ibrahim Shekarau (APC-Kano Central) stated that he and his supporters would not be fooled by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Naija News reports that the APC in Kano State has been embroiled in crisis which has brought about the emergence of two factional state Chairmen.

While one is loyal to Ganduje, the other is loyal to Senator Shekarau and his faction.

10. Super Eagles Reach World Cup Play-off After Draw With Cape Verde In Lagos

The Super Eagles of Nigeria played out a 1-1 against the Sharks of Cape Verde in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Both teams scored their goals in the first 10 minutes of the game played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos State on Tuesday.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen had given Nigeria the lead in the first minute of the game after finishing of a poorly cleared Moses Simon cross.

However, Cape Verde scored an equaliser in the fifth minute of the game.

A corner by Kenny Rocha Santos was met at the far post by Ianique dos Santos Tavares.

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