Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 18th May, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 18th May 2022

1. Keep Quiet, You Are Not Recognized As Leaders – Presidency Slams NEF Over Calls For Nigeria’s Break Up

The presidency on Tuesday, took the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to the cleaners, describing the group as delusional and arrogant.

The presidency in a statement by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said NEF has no right to speak on behalf of Nigerians just because they have access to the media.

It warned NEF to desist from making inflammatory statements capable of causing tension in the country, adding that the group should step down from the role of Self-appointed spokesperson for Nigerians.

Rather than promote calls for some sections of the country to be allowed to secede, the presidency in the statement called on Nigerians to promote and work towards unity.

2. Facebook Responsible For IPOB Inciting Violence In Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has accused the social media platform, Facebook of being responsible for the violence being perpetrated by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East.

The government said IPOB has been using Facebook to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in the country and the social media platform could not do anything to curtail the activities of the group.

Naija News reports that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja on Tuesday

Mohammed said Facebook has no reason to allow its platform to be used by the outlawed group whose aim is to destabilise the country.

3. Gunmen List Nine Local Govts For Attack In Anambra, Give Condition To Stop ‘War’

Unknown gunmen have written letters to nine local government areas in Anambra State warning of imminent attacks.

In a message to the Anambra LGAs, the group asked security operatives to prepare for war in ‘Biafra Land’, The PUNCH reports.

The group asked President Muhammadu Buhari to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to stop attacks in the South-East.

The gunmen wrote: “These local government areas should wait for us soon. We are warning our dear Professor that it is time for action and not time to speak big grammar and talking. All the security men occupying should get ready for action.

“Go and tell the President to release our oga (boss), Onyendu, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, or face continuous war – FINAL WARNING.”

4. Buhari Appoints New NYSC DG

Brigadier General Mohammed Fada has been appointed as the new Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Naija News reports that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Brigadier General Fada as the new NYSC boss on Tuesday.

According to Leadership, Fada will take over from Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim after the expiration of his tenure.

A source told the newspaper that the new NYSC boss will resume office on Wednesday.

5. Vice President Osinbajo Visits Scene Of Kano Explosion

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has visited the scene of the explosion in Kano which affected a primary school in the state and led to the loss of lives.

Prof. Osinbajo visited the scene on Tuesday as confirmed in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande.

The Vice President’s media aide explained that Osinbajo was in Kano for an interactive session with delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano but had a stopover at the scene of the explosion.

The statement added that the Vice President who commiserated with the victims of the explosion was accompanied on the visit by Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

6. Shekarau Dumps APC, Defects To NNPP

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau has officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The development was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon via a terse statement on the official Twitter handle of the NNPP.

The statement which reads: “Finally: Sen Ibrahim Shekarau Join Us” was shared alongside a picture of Senator Shekarau and Senator Ibrahim Kwankwaso.

7. ASUU Strike: Shots Fired As Nigerian Army Disrupts Peaceful Students Protest In Ondo

Operatives of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday disrupted a peaceful protest by students in Akure, Ondo state who were out to kick against the continuous shut down of academic institutions.

In videos trending online, operatives of the Army were captured firing shots to disperse the peaceful protesters.

Soldiers could also be seen chasing and destroying the properties of the protesters.

The Ondo state chapter chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Students, Surprise Omotoso said security personnel, including the state commissioner of police, were on ground with the protesters before the military arrived.

He stated that operatives of the Nigeria Army fired shots at the unarmed protesters, scattering the canopies and instruments.

8. Nigerian Army Kills Top Boko Haram Commander, Abubakar Sarki In Sambisa Forest

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a top commander of the Boko Haram terrorist group identified as Abubakar Sarki.

He was killed within the fringes of the Sambisa forest in Borno State while he was leading some other fighters to attack a camp of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) led by Abu Ubaida.

The development was made known by a security and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama who narrated to newsmen in Maiduguri that there was a fierce battle between the soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai and the terrorists during the encounter.

He added that the troops acting on intelligence information about the movement of terrorists in the area, attacked the Boko Haram fighters.

He said Sarki and his men were heading to an ISWAP camp in the area to engage in a battle of supremacy before they were intercepted by the troops.

Initially, Sarki escaped but ran onto another batch of soldiers deployed by the military.

9. Kano Govt Gives Update On Death Toll After Gas Explosion

The Kano State Government has stated that at least nine persons have died after an explosion rocked Aba Road in Sabon Gari area of the state.

Naija News earlier reported that there was pandemonium in the Northern state on Tuesday morning after a gas exploded, leaving several injured, including school children and buildings affected.

In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba said the bodies were recovered from the rubble of a collapsed building beside a primary school.

Garba stated that the incident happened at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge local government.

He called on the people in the state, particularly those living in the area where the incident occurred to remain calm while the government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, are working on the matter.

The commissioner assured that government would keep the public abreast of any development and warned people to desist from spreading unsubstantiated news.

10. Oshiomhole Is Suffering From PTSD – Fayemi Fires Former APC Chairman Over Rigging Allegation

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has condemned the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole for claiming he once asked him to rig an election in his favour.

The Presidential aspirant claimed that Oshiomhole is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his removal as Chairman of APC.

Fayemi called on the public to disregard the allegations of Oshiomhole which he made on national television.

The Ekiti State Governor in a statement released through his spokesman, Yinka Oyebode further stated that he has no reason to approach Comrade Oshiomhole for favours for any election.

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