Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 4th November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 4th November 2021

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to tag bandits as terrorists if that would put an end to killings in the northwest region.

Naija News reports that the National Assembly, Governors and other stakeholders are continuing to mount pressure of the present administration to declare bandits as terrorists so decisive actions can be carried out against them.

However, the federal government has continued to rebuff calls to tag them as such.

In a statement after its meeting held on Wednesday, through its spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF decried the arguments over labelling bandits as terrorists, stressing that it wastes attention and energy.

The forum advised the government to explore all lawful means to bring the menace of banditry to an end.

The House of Representatives has declared that it will be a wrong move to legalize the planting and use of marijuana in Nigeria.

The House of Reps acknowledged that without legalizing marijuana, the use of the drug is already responsible for many criminal activities in the country and called for stiffer sanctions against drug traffickers.

It, therefore, stated that legalizing the substance would be counter-productive hence, the lawmakers won’t support any bill calling for marijuana legalization in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Francis Agbo, made the submission when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa appeared before the committee to defend the agency’s 2022 budget figures.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has condemned the actions that led to the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state.

During a visit to the scene of the building collapse on Wednesday afternoon, Sanwo-Olu stated that the incident happened due to “mistakes made from all angles”.

The governor stated that collapse could be described as a national disaster, adding that such a sad incident should not be happening in the state.

While condoling with the families and people who lost loved ones in the incident, the governor promised that those found culpable will be made to face the law.

The governor, however, disclosed the names of the members of a panel of inquiry constituted to probe the building collapse.

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, the United States has threatened to impose visa restrictions on election riggers and troublemakers in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US Mission in Nigeria said it will watch out for individuals who would interfere with the election or instigate violence against the people before, during, or after the elections.

According to the US government, visa restrictions would also be extended to family members of such politicians found guilty of undermining the democratic process.

The US government, however, demanded that the process be peaceful and transparent, with results that accurately reflect the will of the Anambra people.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has berated a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, over her comments on Igbo traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Naija News reported that monarchs and religious leaders had on Sunday demanded the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Replying to the leaders, Onochie stated that the call for Kanu’s release is unreasonable and described the leaders as “political neonates who are also ignorant of the country’s laws”.

But in a statement on Wednesday signed by its spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze slammed Onochie for insulting and disrespecting the Igbo monarchs and religious leaders.

The group added that the comments made by Onochie are despicable and sacrilegious, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack the presidential aide.

It also asked the traditional ruler of Onitsha Olona in the Aniocha North council area of Delta State, Obi Christopher Uzu Diji, to call Onochie to order.

Some unknown gunmen have shot dead two policemen attached to Mile One Police Station in Diobu, Port Harcourt.

Naija News reports that the gunmen killed the two policemen during a stop and search operation at Okija street in Diobu located in the state capital.

It was learned that the gunmen who were inside an unmarked vehicle shot the policemen at closed range and died on the spot.

Also speaking, a Commander of a local vigilante group in the area, Victor Ohaji, said the gunmen arrived at the police checkpoint and attempted to make a U-turn after sighting the policemen.

Ohaji added that the gunmen shot the two police officers, who tried to intercept their car.

However, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the news, adding that the state Commissioner of Police had ordered investigations into the incident.

A new Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka has been deployed to Plateau State by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

The deployment of the new commissioner is with immediate effect according to information made available to Naija News in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba.

The statement added that CP Edward Egbuka who previously occupied the position has been recalled to the Force Headquarters for other national engagements.

The change in leadership is coming at a time the Plateau State House of Assembly is embroiled in a leadership crisis on who is the authentic Speaker of the State Assembly.

Ahead of the November 6 governorship election Anambra State, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, says nobody needs to die unnecessarily.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, the fiery cleric stated that the only way the upcoming election can be adjudged to be successful is if no death is recorded.

The Convener of the National Peace Committee noted a lot of Nigerians have died unnecessarily in past elections, saying that the trend should not continue.

Kukah said that the most important thing is to make sure that nobody loses their life or suffers any unwanted injury in the Anambra election.

In a move to encourage Nigerians to further embrace the recently launched eNaira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advanced reasons why it is better than cryptocurrencies.

It will be recalled that the e-Naira, Nigerian digital currency, was officially launched at the State House in Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari on 25th October, 2021.

The CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Nnamdi Okwuosa submitted that the eNaira operates in a regulated environment, suggesting that cryptos are not regulated.

He also added that the eNaira is a legal tender backed by a sovereign nation and the CBN will always be there to guide users against falling into danger.

Okwuosa made the submission during a fair organized by the apex bank held in Abia and Ebonyi States to create further awareness for the eNaira.

Speaking at the fair with the theme ‘Promoting financial stability and economic development,’ the CBN spokesperson argued that the eNaira is not a threat, and Nigerians should listen to and follow the guidance of the apex bank.

Following reports of massive gas pipeline leakage in Ikeja area of Lagos State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned residents against igniting an open fire.

Naija News reports that this was made known on Wednesday by the NEMA Acting Coordinator, Lagos State Territory, Ibrahim Farinloye.

He stated that residents around Computer Village /Underbridge, Awolowo Way and Oba Akran axis, Anifowoshe street, and Medical Road should avoid contact with naked fire.

He said the agency received distress alerts about the incident some minutes ago.

Farinloye advised residents to take safety precautions to prevent any form of disaster.

The NEMA acting coordinator disclosed that emergency responders are working to prevent the unforeseen.

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