Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 19th November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 19th November 2021

1. Buhari Breaks Silence On EndSARS Panel Report

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday spoke on the report released by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had set up the panel to look into the killings and assaults of protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

Naija News had earlier reported that the panel on Monday submitted the report to the state government indicting the military and the Nigerian police force.

The development has seen human rights activists, the international community and several others call on the federal government to act on the report of the Lagos State panel.

President Buhari on Thursday during a meeting with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said his administration will look into the report after the Lagos State Government has concluded work on it.

2. Katsina Govt Reveals How Bandits Beat Telecom Shutdown

The Katsina State Government has revealed how bandits devise new strategies to beat the shutdown of network services in the state.

Naija News reports that the state government had ordered the shutdown of telecommunication networks in the state in order to curb the activities of bandits.

But according to the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mustapha Inuwa, bandits now acquire walkie-talkies to communicate with one another.

Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing in Katsina, Inuwa described the use of the gadget as a recent and most worrisome move which contravenes the Security Challenges Containment Order.

Inuwa submitted that the activities of bandits reduced in the months of September and October 2021 as compared to previous months.

3. Buhari Meets US Secretary Of State Blinken In Aso Rock

President Muhammdu Buhari is currently in a closed-door meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Naija News reports that Blinken landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, around 3:15pm and arrived at the villa around 3:47pm.

The US top diplomat was received at the State House forecourt by Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure, who led him to the President’s office.

Some of the issues expected to be discussed are security, cooperation on global health security, expanding energy access and revitalizing democracy.

After the meeting with Buhari, Blinken will have a discussion with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and both will sign some agreements between Nigeria and the US.

4. #EndSARS: I’ll Speak On Lagos Judicial Panel Report Soon – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says he will respond to the report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel on the #EndSARS protests and the Lekki Toll Gate shooting at the appropriate time.

Naija News reports that Mohammed made this known on Thursday through his spokesman, Segun Adeyemi.

Adeyemi said the minister is out of the country on an official assignment and will soon react to the panel’s findings.

“We are out of the country (Nigeria) on assignment. Expect our response shortly,” he told The PUNCH.

5. #EndSARS: Falana Faults Leakage Of Lagos Judicial Panel Report

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has condemned the leakage of the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.

It will be recalled that the judicial panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi on Monday submitted its report to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, disclosing 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.

But in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, on Wednesday, Falana said the leaked version of the report could jeopardize the thorough work done by the panel.

The human rights activist, however, asked the state government to only release the report after a White Paper has been raised.

6. DSS Maltreating Nnamdi Kanu In Detention – Ejimakor Alleges

Alloy Ejimakor, special counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised an alarm over the condition of his client in DSS custody.

In a statement on Thursday, Ejimakor alleged that DSS operatives have subjected Kanu to harsh, degrading and inhumane treatment in their detention.

He claimed that the IPOB leader is confined to a very tiny cell and denied access to sunlight and any social interactions.

Ejimakor said that Kanu had not changed his clothes or had access to his Jewish prayer shawls and other religious materials since his detention.

He said those who visit Kanu in custody are subsequently detained as punishment and detainees are confined for exchanging pleasantries with the IPOB leader.

7. FG Speaks On Removal Of Nigeria From US Religious Violators’ List

The Nigerian Government has commended the United States Government for removing Nigeria from its list of countries that trample religious freedom.

Naija News reports that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a statement on Wednesday, announced Nigeria’s removal from the list of countries that violate religious freedom.

Recall that the US had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom.

But in a statement released on Thursday by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, the Nigerian government applauded its US counterpart for correcting its earlier mistake.

Mohammed said the removal of Nigeria from the list of religious freedom violators was long overdue, saying that the West African country does not engage in any religious freedom violation.

He reiterated Nigeria’s earlier stand when it was put on the list in December 2020, that it does not engage in religious freedom violation.

The minister added that Nigeria does not have a policy of religious persecution, appreciating religious leaders who have been working to ensure religious harmony.

8. “We Will Teach Them A Lesson In 2023” – Joe Igbokwe Of APC Boasts

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe has said the party will teach people a lesson in 2023.

2023 is a politically anticipated year in Nigeria as it will usher in a new President for the country who will take over from Muhammadu Buhari while lawmakers and many state governors will either bow out or test their popularity at the polls again.

Ahead of the political ‘battles’, Igbokwe, a Special Adviser on drainage and water resources to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised supporters of the party and President Buhari for their doggedness.

According to him in a Facebook post on Thursday, they have crushed all lies against Buhari and Nigeria. He added without revealing those he was referring to that “we will teach them a lesson in 2023.”

He praised supporters of the APC and the Buhari administration for their courage.

9. IGP Probes Alleged Plan To Eject Female Police Officers From Barracks

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered an investigation into a signal ordering female police officers who live with their civilian husbands in barracks to vacate before January 31, 2022.

Naija News reports that the IGP made this known in a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, on Wednesday.

Baba directed the Force Provost Marshal to carry out an immediate investigation into the signal which purportedly originated by the Enugu State Police Command.

The police boss assured the public and female police officers that the originator of the directive will be sternly dealt with if found culpable.

According to baba, no female police officer living with their spouses will be ejected from any Police barrack across the country.

He, however, described the said “directive” as unlawful, discriminatory, obnoxious, reprehensive and totally out of tune, adding that the signal was not in line with the Gender Policy of the Nigeria Police Force.

10. Rohr Speaks On Quitting As Super Eagles Coach

Gernot Rohr has denied being sacked as head coach of the senior national football team, Super Eagles.

It was reported that the German tactician was allegedly relieved of his job by his employer, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), after five years in the saddle.

The German was reportedly sacked after one of the sponsors of the Super Eagles agreed to the termination clause in the German’s contract.

But in an interview with The Punch on Thursday, Rohr stated that he has not been sacked as the national team head coach.

He, however, admitted that the NFF wanted him to quit the team after the Super Eagles’ lacklustre display in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Cape Verde.

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