Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 18th February, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 18th February 2021

One student has been killed and several other students abducted as armed bandits attacked Government Science College Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Naija News gathered that the bandits also kidnapped some teachers and their family members residing within the College Staff Quarters.

According to a government source who spoke to Channels Television on Wednesday, the students and teachers were abducted at about 2:00 am on Wednesday when the bandits stormed the school.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello on Wednesday told kidnappers responsible for the abduction of some students and staff of Government Science College in Kagara that they won’t get any ransom.

The Governor vowed that the kidnappers won’t get any ransom from the state government but will ensure the students and staff return safely.

Bello who addressed newsmen in Minna, the state capital on Wednesday said: “It is not in our policy as a government to pay ransom to bandits because we have noticed that they use this money to buy arms and ammunition. However, the government will be ready to support and assist repentant bandits.”

The Nigerian Senate has asked President Muhmmaadu Buhari to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity affecting the country’s peace.

The Red chamber made this known during Wednesday’s plenary reacting to the kidnap of students and teachers of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State by gunmen on Wednesday morning.

This online newspaper had earlier reported that one student had been killed and several other students abducted as armed bandits attacked Government Science College Kagara in Rafi Local government area of Niger State.

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the abduction of students and staffs of the Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State in the early hours of Wednesday.

The President reacted in a statement released through his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

The presidential aide wrote, “President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen.”

“Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives. The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has told the federal government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive actions against criminals in the land.

Atiku spoke in a personally signed statement on Wednesday where he reacted to the abduction of some students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.

The former Vice President in his reaction warned that government has to stop rewarding crime by paying ransom to the kidnappers but has to unleash the laws of the country on them to serve as a deterrent to others.

He urged the government to be proactive rather than reactive on security issues as well.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria on Wednesday called on Nigerians not to treat all Fulani herdsmen as criminals.

The association further stated that Fulani herdsmen have economic value in the South-West region.

The National President of MACBAN, Muhammad Kirowa, further stated that over 8,000 cows are consumed in the South-West region on a daily basis.

Kirowa stated this at the stakeholders’ meeting on farmers and herdsmen’s clashes in Ogun State as they concerned the recent troubled communities.

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Mr. Aghughu Adolphus as the new Auditor-General for the Federation.

Naija News reports that the Upper Legislative chamber confirmed Aghughu following the presentation of a report of the Committee on Public Accounts by the Chairman, Senator Urhoghide Mathew (PDP-Edo) which was considered during plenary.

During his presentation, Senator Urhoghide said the committee found Aghughu qualified to be appointed, given his experiences, pedigree and performance over the years at the Audit House.

According to the lawmaker, the nominee sufficient experience to occupy the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation if the Senate confirms him.

The House of Representatives has announced the commencement of the screening of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

Security heads slated for screening include Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Lucky E.O Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amao.

Speaking before the start of the exercise, Chairman of Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, said the screening of the service chiefs will be transparent and free of bias.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party Reconciliation and Strategy Committee on Wednesday, February 17 held a closed-door assembly with former governors elected under the umbrella party.

Former President of the senate of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki disclosed this in a post on his verified Twitter handle, Naija News reports.

Saraki who chaired the Reconciliation Committee disclosed that the meeting was held behind closed-doors at the Legacy House Maitama Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan has denied media reports that the party’s National Working Committee(NWC) wants to remove Prince Uche Secondus as the national chairman before 2023.

He spoke with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja at the end of the day’s NWC meeting.

According to the PDP spokesperson, there is no discord between the NWC and the party chairman, adding that the party is focused on returning to victory in 2023.

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

Source: Naija News