Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Thursday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. The House of Representatives has said that it will vote on the constitutional amendment to allow for the creation of state and local police in the country as part of measure to address rising insecurity in the country. Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu said at a media briefing shortly after the House plenary that the parliament has decided to prioritise the issue of state police ahead of other bills.

2. A fire outbreak on Wednesday disrupted proceedings at the Senate wing of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, forcing lawmakers, staff, and guests to flee the building before the situation was brought under control. Witnesses said smoke suddenly filled the room from an attached kitchen section, triggering confusion as senators and guests scrambled out before the sitting could be formally adjourned.

3. The Senate has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, over his alleged refusal to honour its invitation. The Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued the warrant on Wednesday.

4. At least two members of the bandits’ gang terrorising residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT have been shot dead. CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, FCT Police Commissioner, who disclosed this to newsmen at the command on Wednesday, said he led the operation that resulted in their deaths.

5. Residents of Iluke community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State have called for urgent government intervention following a deadly attack by armed assailants that left three people dead, including a vice principal. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, threw the community into mourning and heightened concerns over security in the area.

6. The Federal Government has ordered a probe into how an aircraft landed on a roadway, and also took off, in Ogwashi-Uku area, near Asaba, Delta State capital, on Wednesday. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) said this in a post on X (Twitter).

7. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has directed political office holders that refused to defect to the All Progressive Congress to resign or face sack. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou. Wonosikou stated “All political office holders serving in this administration who have publicly declared allegiance to, or defected to, other political parties to immediately resign their appointments.

8. Troops of the 82 Division Garrison operating under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, Enugu State Command, said they have uncovered a suspected arms cache belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Enugu State.

9. Aggrieved ex-employees of the defunct Arab Bank and Assurance Bank took to the streets of Lagos on Wednesday in a protest, accusing regulatory authorities of systemic neglect and pushing them into acute poverty. The protest was held at the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate office at the old Secretariat within the premises of Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

10. Schoolchildren in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesday, hurriedly ended school sessions and fled to their homes over fears of a bandits’ invasion of the state capital. It was gathered that the pupils and students did not wait for closing time before taking to their heels over fears that bandits might have stormed their schools.