NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS: Things you need to know this Wednesday, 30th March, 2022.

1. Several passengers, who boarded the train that was attacked on Monday night, are yet to be accounted for, according to the Kaduna State government. In the latest update on the rescue operation, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said while eight corpses had been recovered, 26 people who were injured, were receiving treatment.

2. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the Monday attack on a Kaduna-bound train by terrorists, leading to many deaths and injuries. The President on Tuesday said he was deeply pained by the attack, the second of its kind in recent times.

3. The zoning committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was locked in a crucial meeting yesterday night over which side of the country should produce the presidential candidate of the party. The meeting, which is taking place at the Benue State governor’s lodge, Abuja, is said to be presided over by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

4. A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday, officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Kwankwaso, who was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP in the 2019 general elections, has received his NNPP membership card from his ward chairman in Abuja.

5. The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has cancelled his annual colloquium over terrorists’ attack on a Kaduna-bound train on Monday. The colloquium was slated for Tuesday in Lagos, in commemoration of Tinubu’s 70th birthday.

6. Nigeria will not be at the 2022 World Cup, following a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday. The Super Eagles failed to defeat the Black Stars in Kumasi, as they were only able to draw 0-0.

7. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has submitted 20 names to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as Commissioners. Also submitted to the house for confirmation were 15 persons as special advisers. The list has already been referred to the House committee on appointments.

8. The Police Command in Kwara State have neutralised three suspected kidnappers with the help of Kwara vigilante group and local hunters. The incident happened at Obbo Ile/Osi forest, in Ekiti Local Government Area of the State, the command’s spokesman, SP Okasanmi Ajayi said in a statement.

9. The World Bank has said that poverty reduction stagnated since 2015, with more Nigerians falling below the poverty line over the years. According to the Washington-based bank, the number of poor Nigerians is projected to hit 95.1 million in 2022.

10. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc has announced the appointment of Adeoye Fadeyibi as its new managing director/chief executive officer. According to a statement by the Disco, Fadeyibi, a manager with over 20 years executive management experience, succeeds Akinwumi Bada.

21. Soludo forwards commissioners’ list to Anambra Assembly for approval

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Tuesday, forwarded a list of 20 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for approval. 

22. Kwankwaso finally dumps PDP after weeks of speculation

After weeks of speculation about his political future, a former Kano State Governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

23. TRAIN ATTACK: Buhari summons service chiefs over worsening insecurity

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday summoned the Service Chiefs to an urgent meeting in the State House, Abuja.

24. Nigeria needs over N3bn to fix equipment damaged in Kaduna train attack – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Tuesday the Federal Government would require more than N3billion to fix equipment damaged during the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train by bandits. 

25. Shareholders lose N27.35bn as Nigeria’s stock market extends bearish run

Investors at the Nigerian capital market lost N27.3 billion following the crash in equity capitalisation by 0.10 percent on Tuesday.

26. Ecobank Nigeria’s revenue dropped by $46m in 2021 – Report

Ecobank Nigeria’s operating income dropped by -17 percent to $223 million in 2021.

27. Police kill three suspected kidnappers in Kwara

Police operatives in Kwara have killed three suspected kidnappers in the state. 

28. Gunmen kill five in Plateau communities

Gunmen on Monday night killed five persons during an attack on some communities in Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

29. Internet fraudster’s mother sentenced to five years in jail

Justice M.S Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Benin City, on Tuesday sentenced one Debest Osarumwense, to five years imprisonment for aiding a criminal suspect.

20. Ghana beat Nigeria to Qatar World Cup ticket after 1-1 draw in Abuja

The Black Stars of Ghana have sealed qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup billed to hold in Qatar between 21 November and 18 December.

21. President Buhari Meets Service Chiefs, Issues Fresh Directives After Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack by bandit terrorists on a train travelling from Kaduna to Abuja.

Describing Monday’s attack and attackers as callous, the President in his reaction on Tuesday directed the security agencies to ensure all the terrorists are brought to book.

He said he is deeply pained by the occurrence but insisted that no person or group will be allowed to hold Nigeria to ransom.

President Buhari was quoted in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu to have made the declaration during a meeting with security chiefs at the statehouse in Abuja where he was briefed about Monday’s attack by bandit terrorists on a train bound for Abuja from Kaduna.

He also extended condolence messages to the families of those affected by the attack and ordered security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of kidnapped persons.

22. Chief Of Defence Staff Reveals Number Of Persons Killed, Injured In Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor on Tuesday revealed that seven persons were killed and 29 others were injured during Monday’s attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by bandit terrorists.

The Chief of Defence Staff was however unable to confirm the exact number of persons kidnapped by the terrorists.

Irabor made the disclosure on Tuesday at the State House while speaking with newsmen shortly after a security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the incident.

He confirmed that the security chiefs have visited the site earlier on Tuesday to assess the real situation of things before briefing the President in Abuja.

 

23. Tinubu Cancels Birthday Colloquium Over Abuja-Kaduna Rail Attack

The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled his 13th Colloquium event.

The event which usually holds annually is organized to celebrate Tinubu’s birthday.

However, Tinubu who turned 70 on Tuesday has cancelled the birthday event.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the colloquium was already filled to the brim with dignitaries Tinubu took to the podium to announce the cancellation of the event.

The Presidential aspirant said he got informed of the train incident which has claimed scores of lives.

Tinubu said the tragedy called for sober reflection and not for celebration.

 

24. Rabiu Kwankwaso Officially Dumps PDP

Former Minister of Defence, Musa Rabi’u Kwankwaso has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The former Kano governor made this known in a letter of resignation addressed to his ward chairman on Tuesday.

Kwankwaso stated that he withdrew his membership from the opposition PDP over serious and irreconcilable differences in the party. 

It is understood that this is the second time the former Kano governor will be dumping the PDP for another party.

Kwankwaso’s defection from the PDP comes a day after his son-in-law, Abba Yusuf, and some of his loyalists defected to the NNPP.

25. Train Attack: Osinbajo Diverts To Kaduna On His Way To Lagos

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had cancelled his trip to Lagos for Kaduna over the recent bandit attack on a train.

Osinbajo was on his way to Lagos on Tuesday for the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium to hold at the Eko Hotels.

In a post on Twitter, the VP’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo made a detour to Kaduna on Tuesday afternoon after receiving the disturbing report of the terrorist attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train.

26. Senate Issues Directives Over Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday issued directives to Nigerian troops over the activities of bandit terrorists in Kaduna State and in the North West region.

The Red Chamber also directed the Nigerian military to bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.

This comes after the bomb attack on Monday night by bandits on a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna with about 1,000 people on board.

During plenary on Tuesday, a point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central) on the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State. 

The lawmaker noted that terrorists over the last month attacked some communities in the state and the Kaduna International Airport.

He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers in Kaduna on Monday. leaving two persons dead and many injured.

Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists’ camp is based are impenetrable, saying that a comprehensive operational plan and total commitment by security agencies will defeat the criminals. 

In its resolution, the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full-scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.

27. Soldiers Kill Several Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists In Borno, Recover Weapons

Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed several terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Wulgo and Marte axis in Borno State.

The terrorists belong to the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups according to information made available on Tuesday by the Nigerian Army.

According to the Army, the troops deployed under Operation Desert Sanity recorded the victory over the terrorists in continuation of ongoing clearance operations.

Weapons, ammunition, and gun trucks were recovered from the operation.

28. Insecurity: You Have Failed – Ganduje’s Former Aide, Yakasai Attacks Buhari

A former aide of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Salihu Tanko Yakasai has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office.

According to Yakasai, President Buhari and his administration have failed to protect the lives of Nigerians.

He further stated that Buhari lacks empathy, emotion, and does not value the lives of Nigerians.

Yakasai in a series of tweets condemned the President for applying the same approach when there is killing in the country which has not been productive.

 

29. Bandits’ Attack: NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Operations

Following the attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended its service along the corridor.

Earlier reported that bandit terrorists had planted explosives on the rail track which saw the Kaduna-bound train derail.

It was gathered that the train which took off around 6 pm from the Idu train station at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday hit an explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna. 

This news media learned that two persons were reportedly killed with many passengers injured during the attack on the train.

According to reports, a combined team of security operatives were deployed to the scene of the attack in order to protect the stranded passengers.

In a statement via its official Twitter page on Tuesday, the corporation said the suspension was due to unforeseen circumstances. 

The NRC disclosed that further Communication would be made available to passengers in due course.

30. Eight Bodies Recovered, 16 Injured In Kaduna Train Attack

The Kaduna State government on Tuesday disclosed that eight bodies have been recovered, while 26 others were injured in the Kaduna train attack.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement released on Tuesday, said several others are unaccounted for, as search operations continue. 

The state government noted that it has received the detailed passenger manifest from the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Share a story or tip with us on WhatsApp: 09085969446 or 09018988278 | 

Ambassadornewsline@gmail.com |

Also, for your News Publications and Business Adverts