Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 26th October, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 26th October 2020

1. Palliatives In Warehouses Is Evidence Buhari Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem – President’s Daughter

President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra Buhari, on Sunday noted that the discovery of COVID-19 palliatives in warehouses across states is evidence that her father is not the problem of Nigeria.

The President’s daughter stated this in a post on her Instagram account.

She wrote, “Now that people confirmed that Buhari distributed enough palliatives nationwide, it is clear Buhari is not our problem.”

In the past few days, hoodlums and angry youths have attacked warehouses across states in the country and looting food items form the facilities.

Questions has been raised from different quarters on why state Governor and political office holders decided to hide the Palliatives.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged hoarding of COVID-19 palliatives in warehouses in several states.

2. NECO Suspends SSCE Exams Indefinitely Over #ENDSARS Protests

The National Examinations Council (NECO) on Sunday announced the suspension of the ongoing Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examinations (SSCE) indefinitely.

This was made known in a statement by NECO’s Head, Information and Public Relations Division, Azeez Sani.

The examination body explained that the action was taken due to the closure of schools and the curfew imposed by some state governors to safeguard lives following developments around the country.

3. Fashola Discovers Hidden Camera At Scene Of #LekkiShootings, Hands It Over To Sanwo-Olu

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has discovered a hidden camera left on site at the scene of the Lekki toll gate shootings during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos State.

Fashola discovered the camera on Sunday during an on the spot assessment carried out by him and some other Ministers and Governors from the South-Western States.

As previously reported by Naija News, Fashola was part of Sunday’s federal government delegation which visited Lagos State on the orders of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

This online medium understands that during their visit to some of the incident scenes, Fashola, who also happens to be a former Lagos State Governor, discovered a camera carefully hidden in a spot at the Lekki toll gate.

The camera which is presumed to have been planted to capture what transpired at the scene was picked up with the aid of a handkerchief and handed over to Governor Sanwo-Olu for further forensic analysis and investigation.

Fashola stated “I think this will help with the ongoing investigations into the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate. “It requires forensic analysis and could be used in the investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the shootings at the Toll Gate, I believe.”

There have been confusions about who ordered the military to the scene of the Lekki toll gate protests and the shooting which occurred later.

4. El-Zakzaky Is Not Dead, He Is Alive

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, has denied reports that its leader Ibrahim Zakzaky has died

A member of the group, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed that their leader was alive – Rumors of Zakzaky’s death spread in Kaduna, sending shockwaves through the country.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is still alive, according to a member of the group, Abdullahi Usman.

There were rumours circulating that the leader of IMN otherwise known as Shiites had died

But Usman in a telephone interview with Daily Trust confirmed that Zakzaky is still alive.

“His son just visited him at the correctional facility where he is being held and I can confirm to you that our leader is not dead.

“I do not know where people heard such rumours from and it will not be in the best interest of the government for our leader to die in their custody,” he added.

5. #EndSARS: Niger-Delta Militants Table 11-Point Demand Before Buhari

A coalition of nine militant groups in the Niger-Delta region has tabled an 11-point demand before the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

The group under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, made this known in a statement by its leader, self-styled “Major-General” Johnmark Ezonebi, aka Obama.

The RNDA stated that multinational oil companies have been warned to evacuate their staff to avoid human causalities.

RNDA stated: “In support of the existing demands by the #EndSARS protesters, we have added new demands that could stop the mayhem on foreign oil multinationals, oil and gas infrastructures and the Joint Military Task Force involved in the Operation Crocodile Smile in the region.”

“We have vowed to take the destiny of our region into our hands and kick-start the occupation of all the major oil wells and the oil platforms, we will also bring down all major crude oil production pipelines to zero,” it added.

6. Gunshots As Hoodlums Attack Yakubu Dogara’s House

The house of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was on Sunday attacked by hoodlums.

Naija News reports that the house is located close to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State.

The hoodlums also invaded other buildings in search of COVID-19 palliatives despite the statewide curfew imposed by Governor Simon Lalong.

According to eyewitness reports, Dogara’s house was attacked about 9 am.

The witness told The Punch the hoodlums “broke into the house of the former Speaker and attacked everyone, including Dogara’s brother, and (they) are currently moving anything they see.

“In the process, the invaders moved several items – tricycles, furniture, electronics, and other valuables – out of the house.”

It was gathered that Policemen and other security operatives fired shots to disperse the rampaging youths without success.

7. #EndSARS Protest A Wake-Up Call To Nigerian Elites – Rochas Okorocha

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha, on Saturday noted that that End SARS protest is not targeted at the police alone but also a wake-up call to Nigerian elites to end bad governance, poverty, and joblessness in the country.

The former Imo State Governor while speaking with journalists in Abuja called on political office holders to sacrifices part of their salaries and allowances to help the youths.

The lawmaker further stated that their lifestyles of politicians provoke Nigerians and it’s time to wake-up to their responsibilities.

8. #EndSARS: 229 Hoodlums Arrested For Alleged Looting In Lagos State

Two hundred and twenty-nine suspected hoodlums have been arrested by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice due to their alleged involvement in looting across the state.

The ministry in a statement released through the Director of Public Affairs, Kayode Oyekanmi, noted that it would prosecute suspects involved in looting of public and private properties.

“The Lagos State Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, has gone round relevant Police formations with a team of prosecutors to evaluate files of those arrested by the police with a view to determine those that have cases made against them.”

“So far, 229 suspects have been arrested by the police for various criminal offences ranging from arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties and assault before and after the state-wide curfew.”

“Also, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has called on Lagosians to maintain peace, law and order in their respective communities.”

“He also said that the government is committed to upholding the rule of law at all times,” the statement said.

The ministry added that after investigation, those who were involved in breaking down of law and order would be arraigned before the courts on Monday, Oct. 26, while those without cases would be released.

9. Gov Fintiri Imposes 24-hour Curfew In Adamawa

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Adamawa State in a bid to prevent further break down of law and order.

Recall that angry residents had invaded a government-owned warehouse at Kwana-waya breaking into the Central stores located at Barkin Kogi and looting food items.

In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Governor Fintiri said the government has imposed an indefinite dawn-to-dusk curfew throughout the state, beginning from 3 O’clock, Sunday 25 October, 2020.

He said the government took the action as a precaution, following the activities of “some misguided elements” who have broken into warehouses looting COVID-19 palliatives.

“Reports of people dying in the stampede have been received and we cannot afford to allow anyone to lose his or her life,” Fintiri said.

“We must also avoid a scenario where the security agents will be blamed if any person loses his/her life while being prevented from looting and destroying Government property.

“In view of the above, I have declared and imposed an indefinite dawn-to-dusk curfew throughout the state, beginning from 3 O’clock, Sunday 25 October, 2020.

Movement by all manner of vehicles, except as authorised is hereby prohibited as the curfew comes into effect.”

The governor also attributed the delay in the distribution of the palliatives on the unavailability of rice to complement other consumables.

10. Osun: Return Loot Within 72 Hours Or Else… – Gov Oyetola To Looters

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has given looters 72-hour amnesty to return stolen property or face the full wrath of the law.

He gave the ultimatum on Sunday during an on the spot assessment of the extent of damage perpetrated by looters in the state on Saturday.

The Osun governor said those who perpetrated the act have the period of grace to return the looted property to either the palace of monarchs within their domain or the Chairmen of their respective council areas.

Recall that Osun residents on Friday descended on a COVID-19 palliative warehouse located in Ede, carting away various food items and packages.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.