Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Friday morning

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

1. The federal government and the Southwest state governors, on Thursday, agreed to set up a legal framework to legalise the establishment of a regional security outfit, operation Amotekun.

The agreement was reached after a closed-door meeting presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, which also had in attendance the minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

2. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the U-turn made by legal icon, Mr Femi Falana, justified Federal Government’s stance that the establishment of the operation of “Amotekun” was illegal.

A statement issued on Thursday by Dr Umar Gwandu, Malami’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, reiterated that Nigeria’s constitution does not accommodate formation of regional security architecture.

3. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday, issued what could be described as its toughest statement since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power in 2015.

At a World Press Conference, CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, said it was now clear that Christians were endangered citizens in Nigeria, especially with the killing of Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa state.

4. The Police in Jigawa State on Thursday engaged in a gun duel with armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

They rescued a 20-year-old girl in Yelleman, Kauhama local government area in the process, Spokesman of the command, SP Abdu Jinjiri said.

5. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has said it will soon begin revocation of licence of Computer Based Tests centers extorting JAMB candidates in the country.

The Jigawa State Commandant, Alh Garba Muhammad, who gave the warning during a courtesy visit to Jigawa State JAMB office in Dutse, the state capital, said some Computer Based Test Centers and e-pin outlets were in the habit of charging JAMB examination fees above Government stipulated rate.

6. A popular Lagos-based trado-medical expert, Mr Fatai Yusuf, otherwise known as Oko Oloyun, has been assassinated by some unknown gunmen.

The herbal guru, who has his office along the LASU/Iba Road around Igando area of Lagos State, was reportedly shot dead by some hoodlums at Igboora along Abeokuta-Iseyin road in Oyo State.

7. Suspected bandits have killed 28 persons, while several others sustained different degrees of injuries on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in recent attacks in Babban Rafi village of Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A community member of the village, said large groups of bandits besieged the village last Tuesday night and surrounded the unsuspecting community, conducting a house to house maiming and killing of the occupants.

8. Two persons have been reported dead, with others seriously wounded in a leadership tussle by two factional groups in Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that one of the factional leaders had presided over the affairs of the community for the past eight years and had refused to step down.

9. The Police Command in Sokoto State, on Thursday, said it arrested one Yahaya Umar, in possession of five locally made firearms.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Kaoje, who paraded the suspects in Sokoto, said Umar was intercepted by men of Operation Puff Adder along Kebbe- Ungushi feeder road in Kebbe local government area.

10. The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the ongoing trial of Mr Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc until March 18.

At the resumed hearing, Dokpesi told the court that he was invited to a meeting with the former President, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 where they discussed the need for the implementation of a Presidential Media Initiative.