Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 15th December, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Ezenwoko’s Blog roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 15th December 2021

The Federal Government has revealed three groups supporting activities of the Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), made the revelation at an event organized by the League of Ulamas, Preachers, and Imams of Sahel countries on Tuesday in Abuja.

Monguno named the three groups as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), and the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).

The NSA accused the groups of posing an imminent threat to the stability of the Sahel region which has a direct effect on Nigeria.

He stated that the ISGS group which mainly operates in Mali, has been responsible for the rapid rise in the activities of terrorists in the Sahel since 2016.

Monguno added that the group had since extended to Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and other parts of the Sahel region.

The NSA, however, urged Islamic preachers and Imams to use their exalted positions to canvas support for the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The United Kingdom has announced it is scrapping the red list for international travel from 4am Wednesday, December 15.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that this was made known by the Secretary of Health, Sajid Javid, in the House of Commons.

According to Javid, the travel red list for countries is no longer working in stopping the spread of the new variant.

This online newspaper reports that Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, also took to Twitter to announce the lifting of the ban.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a security warning on the activities of kidnappers, bandits, and other criminals ahead of the yuletide and holiday season.

The DSS in a statement on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya said criminals might go after National Assemblymembers and other workers who will be travelling and visiting their country homes for the Christmas and new year breaks.

To this end, the secret police warned everyone to be more security conscious and avoid locations and activities that might expose them to danger.

Afunanya while declaring the readiness of the DSS to tackle the security challenges, called on members of the public to report any suspicious person or activity to the nearest security post.

He also cautioned those including politicians who might be planning to take advantage of the season to cause problems to desist from such a plan or act as the DSS won’t tolerate the kind of behaviour.

Senate Spokesman, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has stated that the National Assembly has accepted its description as a rubber stamp of the executive.

Ajibola made this known in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while reacting to claims that the legislature always does the bidding of the executive.

The Senate spokesman said if Nigerians consider making law for the progress of the country to be a rubber stamp, then it gladly accepts the label.

He stated that the National Assembly will not be an opposition to the executive, rather it will continue to do its constitutional duties of checks and balance.

Ajbola added that decision of the legislature on national issues is not partisan, saying that the lawmakers always take the masses into consideration during every motion and bill.

President Muhammdu Buhari has appointed Muazu Jaji Sambo as a new minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Sambo is to replace the former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, who was sacked by the President in September.

In a letter to the National Assembly, President asked the Senate to screen and confirm the minister-designate from Taraba State.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Buhari’s letter on the floor of the Red Chamber during plenary on Tuesday.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, has accused some policemen of working with bandit terrorists across the country.

Speaking on the floor of the House during Tuesday plenary, Wase alleged that the police officers collude with the terrorists to inflict pain on innocent citizens and cause insecurity.

The deputy speaker alleged that some policemen always release suspected bandit terrorists without charging them to court.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied claims that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is being denied maximum comfort in its custody.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that IPOB and Kanu’s family had accused the secret police of maltreating the separatist leader and denying him food in its custody.

They also accused the secret police of denying the IPOB leader his medical report after taking his blood more than 21 times and not allowing him to change his clothes.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said contrary to claims by IPOB and Kanu’s lawyers, the Biafra agitator enjoys the best treatment and maximum comfort in its custody.

Afunanya stated that the IPOB leader also enjoys full rights as ordered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He, therefore, asked Nigerians to disregard IPOB claims, saying that Kanu enjoys his rights of worship or freedom for his religious practice.

The authorities of the Nigerian Military have submitted that there is no truth in reports that repentant Boko Haram terrorists are been recruited into the Army.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor who was represented by the Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General Adeyemi Yekini debunked the reports on Tuesday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Operation Safe Corridor stakeholders’ meeting held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

He stated that there are stringent measures put in place for recruitment into the military and other security agencies, and there’s no provision for recruiting ex-Boko Haram fighters even after they have been rehabilitated.

According to him, none of the over 1,000 persons who have gone through Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) has ever been recruited into the military or other security agencies, neither is there any future plan to recruit them.

He stated that Operation Safe Corridor is not a recruitment process but is targeted at deradicalizing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating repentant insurgents.

Nigeria’s public debt profile has risen to ₦38.005tn or $92.626bn the Debt Management Office (DMO) confirmed on Tuesday.

The DMO in a statement published on its website said the figure represents what the nation’s public debt profile will be by the end of the third quarter of 2021.

The total debt stock rose by ₦2.540tn in three months from June 30 to September 30, 2021.

Ezenwoko’s Blog understands the figures include the Total External and Domestic Debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, thirty-six State Governments, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule says President Muhammadu Buhari is making a lot of sacrificial efforts in order to reposition Nigeria for greater heights.

He stated that while Nigerians may not appreciate his efforts currently, things will be clearer when Buhari completes his tenure as the President of Nigeria in 2023.

The Governor made his view known on Tuesday while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after his meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa.

He commended President Buhari for various developmental projects particularly highlighting the gas pipeline utilization project which covers the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline works.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Ezenwoko’s Blog. See you again tomorrow.

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