Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 24th December, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Ezenwoko's Blog roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 24th December 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday vowed that his government through the military will engage bandit terrorists attacking the northern region of the country.

Buhari made this claim during his visit to Borno State, where he commissioned projects executed by Borno State Government and a business tycoon Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi.

He asked Nigerians to judge what was obtainable before his government took over in 2015 and what the situation looks like now in terms of insecurity.

Following the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Federal Government has disclosed that religious gatherings will be reduced to 50 percent capacity.

Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation directed that the restriction must be adhered to with full compliance to public health measures.

He stated that there has been reduced compliance to public health social measures which has led to increased COVID-19 cases in the country.

Mustapha, however, added that it may be forced to introduce more restrictions should there be an increase in cases.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has raised an alarm over plans by foreign insurgents to attack the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.

Ezenwoko's Blog reports that the NIS made this known in a letter dated December 23, 2021, signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of the service, Idris Jere.

The service stated that terrorists from Mali are planning to enter the country through the Niger Republic border to launch the attack.

It put its officers at various border posts across the country on red alert after gathering intelligence that terrorists are planning to attack Abuja.

The service said the concerned borders include those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as Immigration officers at the Murtala Mohammad International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others.

The wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Silekunola Naomi, has reportedly announced her divorce from Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

In a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday, Olori Naomi said her decision to end the three-year marriage was due to irreconcilable differences and not based on the decision of the monarch to marry another queen.

The evangelist disclosed that she tried to make the marriage work but said the monarch's public identity is clashing with his true self.

Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB) owned by Tunde Lemo, who is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has taken over Union Bank.

Ezenwoko's Blog reports that the Board of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank) on Thursday notified the NGX and Securities Exchange Commission of the takeover.

According to Union Bank board, its investors Union Global Partners Limited, Atlas Mara Limited and other shareholders reached an agreement with Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB) to divest their shareholding in Union Bank to TTB.

It was gathered that the agreement, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other financial conditions, will upon completion transfer 89.39% of Union Bank's issued share capital to TTB.

Speaking on the takeover, Tunde Lemo expressed delight, stating that the transaction marks a key step for Titan Trust in its strategic growth journey.

The former CBN boss added that the deal will propel the institution to the next level in the Nigerian banking sector.

The Kaduna State police command has apprehended four women and a man for allegedly supplying sex workers to terrorists in the state.

The spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba, while parading the suspects before newsmen, identified the suspects as Maryam Abubakar, Lawisa Hassan, Jummai Ibrahim and Hajara Abubakar, M. Mohammed.

According to Mba, the suspects were also accused of gathering intelligence for a terror kingpin in the state, Isah Ibrahim.

He further stated that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

There was drama on the floor of the Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday as three lawmakers were suspended for alleged gross misconduct.

Announcing the suspension, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Kennedy Ibeh said the lawmakers were punished for failing to participate in the presentation of the 2022 budget by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Ibeh mentioned the suspended lawmakers as Arthur Egwim (member representing Ideato North State Constituency), Ngozie Obiefule (member representing Isu Constituency) and Obinna Okwara (member representing Nkwerre Constituency).

Supporters of the suspended lawmakers have thronged the state assembly to protest the action of the assembly. The supporters have vowed to contest the decision.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to rig the 2023 general elections.

Ezenwoko's Blog reports that the opposition party made the accusation in a statement on Wednesday signed by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba.

The PDP condemned President Muhammadu Buhari's refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, saying that the current government is planning to subvert the will of the people.

It said that the ruling APC wants to prevent the electronic transmission of results in 2023 which will completely eliminate manipulations and alteration of results at elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari's Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has dismissed reports claiming he said VP Yemi Osinbajo would contest for the presidency.

Ezenwoko's Blog reports that groups have called on Osinbajo to contest to replace Buhari in 2023 but many see the VP in a tricky spot as his political godfather Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly eyeing same position.

However, some reports also claimed that Ojudu, who works in the office of the Vice President, had hinted on Osinbajo contesting.

Reacting in a statement to newsmen, Ojudu pointed out that it is only Osinbajo that is qualified to declare his intention to run.

No less than four worshippers have been abducted by unknown gunmen at a Mosque at Tella town in Gassol local government area of Taraba State.

A resident of the community identified as Suleiman Rabiu disclosed that the gunmen invaded the mosque around 7.12 pm and abducted worshipers who were observing Isha'i prayers.

It was reported that the gunmen after invading the mosque and disrupting the prayer, led the worshippers out of the Mosque at gunpoint.

A source that spoke with Daily Trust disclosed that the gunmen released one of the worshippers and took the remaining to an unknown location.

Among those abducted are Alhaji Yahaya, Aminu Dali and Alhaji Hussaini, who is chairman of grain dealers in the area.

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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