Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 5th January, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 5th January 2022

1. Malami Reveals Why Bandits Are Yet To Be Declared As Terrorists

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has revealed why the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has not officially declared bandits as terrorists.

Malami on Tuesday stated that his office is in the process of announcing the court judgement that directed the Federal Government to declare bandits as terrorists.

The AGF, while speaking on NTA Good Morning Nigeria Show, said the process would be concluded in a matter of days.

Recall that Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court on November 26, 2021, granted an ex parte application by the Federal Government for Yan Bindiga (Hausa word for gunmen) and Yan Ta’adda (Hausa word for terrorists) to be declared as terrorists.

Malami in his statement on Tuesday said the government acted swiftly in declaring IPOB and Boko Haram as terror groups because of the “threats to lives and properties they have caused in the nation.”

2. Imo: Okorocha Is My Younger Brother, Says Uzodinma As He Fails To Name Terrorism Sponsors In The State

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on Tuesday failed to release the names of specific persons sponsoring insecurity and terrorism in the state.

Naija News recalls ahead of the Imo state stakeholders meeting/luncheon which took place on Tuesday, the Governor had raised expectations when he revealed that he would use the opportunity to disclose names of individuals behind the insecurity ravaging the state and also highlight his achievements in office within the last two years.

He made this known in a statement on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba.

However, the Governor during the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Sam Mbakwe Executive chamber in the government house in Owerri made a u-turn on his earlier promise when he failed to disclose any specific person as responsible for the insecurity in Imo.

Uzodinma stated that he observed that his promise had caused tension in the state and would therefore allow the security agents to conclude their investigation and reveal those responsible for the attacks in Imo.

3. ‘IGP, Malami Sent Me’ – Police Embarrass Gov Sanwo-Olu In Lagos

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos was on Tuesday embarrassed by an unnamed Chief Superintendent of Police.

Naija News reports that the CSP openly defied the order of the Lagos State Governor to vacate the Magodo Phase 2 Estate area of the state.

Recall that security operatives had besieged the estate in the company of suspected land grabbers and members of a family who had planned to execute a Supreme Court judgment.

This development had cause commotion as residents called on Sanwo-Olu to intervene.

The Lagos governor had on Tuesday visited the estate and told the leader of the security operatives to vacate the premises as the matter was between private individuals and the state government.

But to the suprise of those around, the CSP told the governor that he and his colleagues were at the estate on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba; as well as the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

4. Malami Reveals What Will Make Buhari Release Nnamdi Kanu

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday revealed what will make President Muhammadu Buhari release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Malami said President Buhari will consider the interest of over 200 million Nigerians before he can grant the request to release Kanu.

The minister stated this while speaking on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria Show.

This is coming after a former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi led some Igbo leaders to visit the President for the unconditional release of the IPOB leader.

Buhari during the visit told them he would not want to interfere in the running of the judiciary but said he would consider their demand.

Malami when asked on Tuesday about the request of the Igbo leaders said Buhari would consider the interest of Nigerians before he takes any decision.

5. Major Shake-Up As Nigerian Air Force Redeploys Top Officers, Commanders

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved the appointment and redeployment of some top commanders, new Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants of tri-Service and NAF institutions as well as Unit Commanders.

A statement on Tuesday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet stated that the shake-up was approved by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.

While noting that postings and redeployments in the military are routine exercises intended to reinvigorate the Services for greater performance, enhanced productivity, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery, the statement urged the officers to justify the confidence reposed in them leading to the appointment.

Naija News reports that all the newly appointed and redeployed senior officers are expected to assume their new offices on or before Friday, 7 January 2022.

6. Buhari Appoints New Chief Economic Adviser

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the appointment of Dr. Doyin Salami as his Chief Economic Adviser.

Naija News reports that Dr Salami was the Chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, PEAC.

Salami is a 1989 doctorate degree graduate of Economics from the Queen Mary College, University of London.

The 59-year-old is the Managing Director and Head Markets Practice at KAINOS Edge Consulting Limited, and member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, where he recently attained the rank of Senior Fellow/Associate Professor.

Naija News reports that the Chief Economic Adviser to Buhari is expected to address all issues on the domestic economy and present views on them to the President.

The Adviser is also expected to closely monitor national and international developments, trends and develop appropriate policy responses; develop and recommend to the President national economic policies to foster macro-economic stability, promote growth, create jobs, and eradicate poverty, among others.

7. Four Shot Dead As Security Operatives Foil Jailbreak In Osun

Some inmates in Kosere Correctional Centre, Ile Ife, Osun State, attempted to escape on Tuesday but were repelled by security operatives.

Naija News gathered that one of the inmates attacked a prison warden, while others forced their way through the entrance of the prison facility.

Speaking with The PUNCH, a security source revealed that four inmates were shot dead while attempting the jailbreak during the morning sanitation.

As of the time of filing this report, that Osun State Comptroller of Corrections, Lanre Amoran, had visited the facility for an on-the-spot assessment.

8. We’re Lucky To Have Held Plenary For Only 66 Days In 2021 – Senate

The Nigerian Senate has said it was very lucky to have held plenary sessions for only 66 days in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naija News reports that the spokesman of the Red Chamber, Senator Ajibola Basiru, made the submission during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday.

Bashiru stated that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Senate leadership to reduce the number of days of plenary from three to two days due to the increased cases of the dreaded virus in the country.

He agreed that the Senate failed to meet the 181 days stipulated in Section 63 of the 1999 constitution, but didn’t violate the law.

The Senator argued that the lawmakers have not contravened the provision of the constitution in any way because it was a matter of emergency.

9. 2023: PDP Reacts As Jonathan Meets Campaign Coordinators

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports emerged on Monday that Jonathan has intensified his move to return to Aso Rock in 2023 after meeting with his supposed campaign coordinators.

It was learned that the former president met with coordinators on December 27, 2021, at Aridolf Hotels and Spars in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Reacting to the reports, PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said the opposition party is confident that the Nigerian leader will not join the ruling party.

Ologunagba stressed that the PDP leadership is reaching out to every member of the party to join the rescue mission of the country ahead of the 2023 Presidential election.

He disclosed that the PDP is not aware of Jonathan entering into any form of talks with the APC in a bid to join them and run for presidency.

10. Eight Commissioners Sacked As Ortom Dissolves Cabinet

Eight commissioners have been sacked and eight others retained as Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State dissolved his cabinet.

This was made known in a statement issued on Tuesday by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor.

According to the statement, the governor advised the sacked commissioners to hand over to Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries.

He, however, expressed his profound appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their service to the State and wish them well in their future endeavours.

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