Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 6th January, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 6th January 2022

1. Buhari Govt Officially Declares Bandits As Terrorists, Releases Gazette

The Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has officially declared bandits as terrorists as directed by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known in a statement issued through his office on Wednesday.

Malami added that the government has gazetted the proscription order and released the gazette to the public for an easy read.

The minister said the gazette proscribing bandits was made on November 25, 2021, but it was unfolded on January 5, 2022, adding that bandits will face trial under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011.

2. 2023: President Buhari Speaks On His Preferred Successor

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said his preferred successor might be eliminated if he reveals the identity of the person before the 2023 general elections.

Buhari disclosed this while answering questions during an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday.

The President when asked if he has a favourite among those presidential aspirants said he would not reveal the person, adding that he may be eliminated before 2023.

Buhari said, “I wouldn‘t (mention the name of my favourite successor) because he may be eliminated if I do. I better keep that a secret.”

3. South-West Govs Attack Malami, IGP Over Viral Face-Off Between Police, Sanwo-Olu

Governors in the South-West region have condemned in totality a viral video which shows a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, challenging Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The political leaders described the development as disrespectful and humiliating to their fellow governor.

Naija News understands that Governor Sanwo-Olu had on Tuesday visited Magodo Phase 2 Estate area of Lagos State to mediate over a land dispute and had an encounter with the police personnel.

According to the police officer, only the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Attorney General of Federal can instruct him to leave the estate with his men.

Reacting to the development, South-West governors in a statement issued on Wednesday by it’s Forum Chairman, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stated that the attitude of the CSP was not only disgraceful but also disconcerting.

Akeredolu faulted the Attorney General, Abubakar Malami over his role in the situation as he termed it as an “act of gross moral turpitude.”

Akeredolu asked Malami to explain the justification of the intrusion, stressing that President Muhammadu Buhari must reign in the excesses of those under him.

While assuring Governor Sanwo-Olu of their backing, the forum admonished the Lagos State Governor to deploy the Amotekun Corps for effective protection and security of his people.

4. Kingmakers Unveil Balogun As Olubadan-elect

Dr Lekan Balogun has been endorsed as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland by ten of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, made the announcement at a briefing by the kingmakers on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

The Council also debunked rumors insinuating a legal tussle could scupper the succession to the Olubadan throne.

According to Ajibola, the kingmakers single-handledly chose Dr Balogun as the one next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan according to tradition.

He also denied rumors to the health and wellness of the new Olubadan-elect.

Naija News reports that Senator Balogun is presently the Otun Olubadan and he is next in line to the throne and seen as the natural successor.

5. Buhari Picks Okadigbo, Drops Ararume As He Inaugurates NNPC Board, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the appointment of Senator Margret Chuba Okadigbo as the Board Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

The appointments which took effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPC Limited was in accordance with the power vested in the President under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

The statement revealed that Mele Kyari remains the Chief Executive Officer, and Umar I. Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer.

6. I Won’t Release You, You Must Account For What You Have Done – Buhari Sends Message To Nnamdi Kanu

President Muhammadu Buhari has shattered the hope of some individuals that he might release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

In an interview with Channels Television aired on Wednesday night, Buhari asked the pro-Biafra agitator to defend himself in court for spreading false information about Nigeria when he was in the United Kingdom.

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 on November 19, 2021.

Buhari had during the visit told the delegation that he would not want to interfere in the running of the judiciary but said he would consider their ‘heavy’ demand.

But speaking during the interview on Wednesday, the president insisted that he would not interfere in any judicial process.

7. Sylvester Oromoni: Lagos State Says No Murder Was Involved, Acquits Five Students

The Lagos State Government has stated that 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni was not murdered, clearing the five students, employees, and Dowen college of any foul play.

The decision was made due to the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID and the trial magistrate, Magistrate Olatunbosun Adeola,

The final autopsy report issued by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and toxicology report of post mortem samples and that of the Central Hospital, Warri, were in agreement as to the cause of death namely: Septicaemia, Lobar Pneumonia with Acute Pyelonephritis, Pyomyositis of the right ankle and Acute Bacteria Pneumonia due to severe Sepsis.

The DPP’s advice, therefore, concluded that there is no prima facie case of murder, involuntary manslaughter and or malicious administering of poison with intent to harm against the five students, Favour Benjamin aged 16, Micheal Kashamu (15), Edward Begue (16), Ansel Temile (14) and Kenneth Inyang (15)

The minors were also cleared of belonging to any unlawful society.

8. President Buhari Rejects State Police, Gives Reasons

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed the clamour for state police will not solve the security challenges facing the country.

Naija News reports that there have been calls from Southern Governors, groups and some notable Nigerians for the creation of state police in order to address the insecurity in the land.

However, in an interview with Channels Television, Buhari said that state police was not a good option for curbing the unrest in the nation.

The Nigerian leader claimed that the creation of state police would lead to other issues in the country, adding that state governors will abuse their powers and use the police to harass their opponents.

9. Buhari Reveals What He Told Makinde Over Farmer-Herder Clashes

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday revealed what he told the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, when he visited over farmer-herder clashes.

The President noted that he told Governor Makinde during the visit to deploy local solutions to the clashes.

According to Buhari, he was visited by two Governors over the clashes but he advised them to address the break down of communication between the local leadership and the herders.

Buhari in an interview with Channels TV stated that herders and farmers have been living in harmony for generations, but wondered why the clash.

10. Malami Slams South West Govs Over Comment On Police, Sanwo-Olu Saga

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has slammed the South-West Governors Forum over their comment on the face-off between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and a Chief Superintendent of Police.

The forum in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Chairman, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stated that the attitude of the CSP was not only disgraceful but humiliating to their fellow governor.

Akeredolu faulted Malami over his role in the situation as he termed it as an “act of gross moral turpitude.”

Reacting to the governor’s comments in a statement signed by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, the minister described the press release from the governors as ‘a vituperation of ulterior motives’.

Malami accused the governors of dragging his name in the mud to achieve some sinister objectives.

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