Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 19th March, 2024

Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 19th March, 2024

1. The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has requested the House of Representatives to approve a N500 billion loan to finance the N1.147 trillion 2024 budget of the territory.

   Wike appeared before the House Committee on FCT on Monday to defend his budget.

2. Military forces conducted a raid on Igbomotoru 1 & 2 communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Sunday, following the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State last Thursday.

   According to reports from DAILY POST, numerous youths from the community who attempted to resist the deployed troops were allegedly killed in the confrontation.

3. The Acting General Manager and Management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited have received numerous inquiries within the past 24 hours regarding a circulating video involving one of our drivers and Officials of the NDLEA at Oshogbo, Osun State. The video depicts a shocking discovery of prohibited substances aboard our vehicle en route from Lagos to Makurdi, Benue State. We wish to clarify the following:

   The company consistently collaborates with the NDLEA and other relevant authorities in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. We ensure that alcohol and any banned substances are neither sold nor utilized at any of our parks nationwide. Additionally, all our drivers undergo periodic comprehensive drug tests conducted by the NDLEA and receive appropriate counseling against substance use.

4. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has denied reports that the Nigerian Army carried out a reprisal against the Okuama community in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

   Recall that where 16 army personnel, which included a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers of 181 Amphibious Battalion, were killed by youths in the community.

5. President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, of full support in emerging victorious at the polls.

   The President gave the declaration after presenting the party flag to Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, at the State House in Abuja.

6. The Nigerian Army has warned the Okuama community in Delta State that they should brace themselves for the full force of legal repercussions.

   This follows after soldiers deployed on a “peaceful and mediatory mission” were killed during a communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

7. Binance Holdings Limited has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Abuja to supply detailed information on Nigerian traders on its platform to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

   IDOMA VOICE  reports that Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order following his ruling on the ex-parte motion presented by EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho.

8. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has called for a total review of the 2024 Nigerian budget.
   Obi made the call in a statement on Monday via his account on the X platform in which he urged both the executive and legislative arms of government to review the budget in order to protect its integrity.

   The former Governor of Anambra State said his call is based on the controversies which have trailed the 2024 budget.

9. Terrorists have released seven out of over 14 people kidnapped in the Dogon Noma-Ungwan Gamo community in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State over the weekend.

   IDOMA VOICE reported that the kidnap occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a large group of bandits invaded the Dogon Noma community and abducted the victims.

10. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to grant the demands of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) regarding their withheld salaries and alleged unfair treatment of the union.

    IDOMA VOICE reports that the unions which commenced the nationwide strike today had previously issued a warning to close down university hostels and power supply if their demands were not met by March 18, 2024.