Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Monday morning 

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

1. Unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits on Sunday struck the Ariko community in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The gunmen reportedly targeted two Christian worship centres during Easter celebrations, killing at least seven people and abducting several others.

2. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has announced plans for a nationwide strike beginning Tuesday, April 7, following the Federal Government’s review of the Professional Allowance Table policy framework and constructive dialogue. The Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, disclosed this in a Saturday statement, noting the decision followed extensive consultations among members nationwide, reflecting shared commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and collaboration efforts.

3. The Nigerian government has announced that two firms have secured a combined N9 billion financing for mini-grid deployment in four states. The Rural Electrification Agency, REA, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, revealing that the firms got N7.95 billion and N1.056 billion for minigrid projects across different areas in Taraba, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states.

4. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers seen in a viral stop-and-search video in Lagos to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings. The directive was disclosed on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Giwa, in a statement shared via his official X handle.

5. The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has debunked reports alleging that its Interim National Chairman, David Mark, has resigned from his position. In a statement issued by the National Chairman’s Media Office, the reports were dismissed as “an insidious fabrication” orchestrated by “puerile, weak and inconsiderate propagandists”.

6. After criticism by a presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, President Bola Tinubu has announced a plan to offset N3.3 trillion power sector legacy debt owed to generation companies.
A statement released on Sunday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the N3.3 trillion approved payment plan followed due verification of the country’s power sector legacy debt, which has lasted for more than a decade.

7. The presenter of Politics today, a programme on Channels Television, Seun Okinbaloye, has said that he is not afraid of the ‘I would have shot him’ comment by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Seun broke this silence on Sunday Politics on Channels Television.

8. Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted and arrested two suspected informants linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) along the Nigeria–Niger border in Borno State during a routine patrol operation. A post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama said security sources disclosed that the arrest was carried out on April 3 at about 03:16 am by troops of 5 Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base Walada.

9. Nigerian Army said it has foiled a terrorist attack, leading to the rescue of 31 persons abducted during an Easter church service in Ariko Village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In a statement on its official X handle, the Nigerian Army stated that the development followed a distress call reporting the abduction of worshippers during an Easter service at an ECWA Church in Ariko Village.

10. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate that concealed cocaine in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom, arresting key suspects, including the alleged kingpin in Lagos. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday, informing that the operation followed three weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement actions.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Monday morning