Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 13th August, 2023

Naija News, read Top Headlines today, Sunday, 13th August 2023 below.

Below are the Newspaper Headlines & Naija News today from Nigerian Newspapers. Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Contrary to circulating reports, the Nigerian embassy situated in Niger Republic has refuted claims of being set ablaze by enraged demonstrators in Niamey, Niger.

   A communiqué issued by Liti Auwalu, on behalf of the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger, has dispelled these rumors. The statement, shared with our correspondent on Saturday, elucidates that while protesters did attempt to breach the embassy premises, the local military and law enforcement effectively contained the situation. It further affirmed that the embassy remains under vigilant protection.

2. The funeral plans for the late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the founder of Fountain of Life Church, have been unveiled.

   As previously reported by IDOMA VOICE, Pastor Odukoya, who passed away at the age of 67 on Monday, August 7, 2023, will be honored with a series of events. The church has now shared an e-flier outlining the details of the funeral arrangements on its official Facebook page.

3. Adamu Garba, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a warning to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urging them not to divert President Bola Tinubu’s focus away from his core responsibilities in Nigeria.

   In a social media post on Saturday, Garba criticized ECOWAS, suggesting that the regional bloc lacks substance without Nigeria’s involvement. He further alleged that ECOWAS is attempting to engage Tinubu to mitigate its own failures, as well as those of its French counterparts.

4. Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafra agitator and separatist, has sounded an alarm regarding the health of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu, who has been held in custody by Nigeria’s secret police, the DSS, since his apprehension in June 2021 and subsequent extradition from Kenya, is reportedly in critical condition.

   Despite being released from terrorism and treasonable felony charges by the Court of Appeal last year, Kanu remains in detention, prompting worries about his well-being. Ekpa, an avowed follower of Kanu, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of the separatist leader, cautioning that urgent action is needed to avert a potential tragedy within the confines of the DSS facility.

   5. Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army have continued its aggressive clearance operation against all criminal elements in the Division’s Area of Responsibility. The operation has again yielded positive results as the gallant troops made contact with marauding bandits and criminal elements in Kabode village of Chikun Local Government Area and Birnin Yero village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

   Acting on credible intelligence, on 11 August 2023, troops exploited Kabode general area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with marauding bandits and engaged them in a fire fight. Troops neutralized 3 bandits and captured one AK 47 rifle loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62 mm, one camo jungle hats, three mobile phones, one head warner, one MP3 player, charms and the sum of one thousand, three hundred and five naira only.

   6. The death toll resulting from the collapse of a mosque in Zaria, located in Kaduna State, has tragically risen to 10, with an additional seven individuals sustaining injuries. The catastrophe unfolded during the evening prayer at approximately 4 pm on Friday, casting a somber cloud over the community.

   The collapse occurred while Muslim worshipers were deeply engrossed in their religious observances. As the congregation engaged in their second Sujud prayer, a pivotal moment of reverence, disaster struck. The section of the mosque where they were seated suddenly gave way, leading to a devastating collapse that left them trapped under debris.

   7. In a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, a high-profile Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) Commander, known by the alias Mr Ezege, was successfully apprehended. The operation took place in a sting operation at the Obinagu community within the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

   The arrested ESN Commander, Mr Ezege, had recently circulated a viral video and audio message across various social media platforms, threatening to unleash chaos in Enugu State.

   8. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has reacted to reports that he consults some demons at Redemption camp before mounting the altar to preach and prophesy to his members.

   Adeboye on Friday said his attention was drawn to some publications on the internet where some so-called prophets, clerics and groups of persons made the allegation. Addressing the allegation at the ongoing August Holy Ghost convention, Adeboye urged the congregation to pray that he dies before sunrise if he is guilty.

   9. Commencing today, Saturday, August 12, diesel prices are set to surge to N867 per litre in Lagos state and N875 per litre in the Southwest region, based on information sourced from industry insiders by Nairametrics.

   Reasons Behind the Price Increase

   Diesel prices are witnessing a rapid escalation despite having been deregulated prior to the removal of fuel subsidies. The upsurge is attributed to the escalating ex-depot prices. Insider reports revealed that ex-depot prices for diesel at the Apapa port now fluctuate between N790 and N820 per litre.

   10. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced on Friday that it has decided to suspend its indefinite nationwide strike. The strike, which commenced on July 26, 2023, was initiated due to the perceived failure of the Federal Government to meet the doctors’ demands.

   The primary demands put forth by NARD included a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the recruitment of new doctors and nurses to compensate for those who had left the healthcare system, the disbursement of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), settlement of salary arrears, and an enhancement of hazard allowances by state governments, among other issues.