Nigerian Headlines: El-Rufai rejects Gumi’s peace deal and BVN may be replaced with NIN

The reactions of Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, and the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)  to the peace deal initiated by Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, with bandits made the headlines of several Nigerian newspapers on Tuesday.

The Punch, The Nigerian Tribune, The Guardian, and Daily Sun reported the issue on their cover page. El-Rufai said his administration will not hold talks with bandits, adding that any bandit arrested in the state will be killed.

El-Rufai’s position was supported by Sanni Bello, governor of Niger state, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Civil Liberty Organisations and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), but the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) disagreed with him. 

IPOB warned Gumi not to equate agitators for Biafra and Oduduwa republics with “Fulani bandits rampaging the north and ravaging the entire south”.

FG TO REPLACE BVN WITH NIN

Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, said the federal government is planning to replace the Bank Verification Number (BVN) with the National Identity Number (NIN). 

The development made the cover pages of The Nation and The Punch.

VARSITY WORKERS’ STRIKE

The strike embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU) has grounded activities at public universities, The Nigerian Tribune and Daily Sun reported on their cover pages.

LABOUR REACTS TO LIKELY INCREASE IN PETROL PRICE 

The Nation devoted its cover story to report the reaction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the speculated increase in petrol price in the country. The NLC said it will be insensitive for the federal government to approve another increase in petrol price.

The newspaper said depot owners in the country have shut down operations on the basis that they have no petroleum products, but the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said petrol is available.

The speculation of an increase in petrol price was heightened, on Monday, after Bent crude oil neared $60 a barrel, selling at $59.34, having gained 0.85 percent.

CBN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY 

In its reportage of the move of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban cryptocurrency transactions in the country, The Guardian said the apex bank “sticks to unpopular option on digital currency’’. 

The paper devoted its cover story to report reactions and the action taken by Nigerian financial institutions on the CBN directive on cryptocurrency transactions.

CUSTOMS SEIZE SMUGGLED RICE AND VEHICLES 

The Nigerian Tribune’s cover picture shows operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service inspecting seized smuggled bags of rice and vehicles.

NIGERIA AND VACCINES STRATEGY 

BUA Group, a leading foods and infrastructure conglomerate, said it purchased one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for Nigeria.

The development was reported on the cover pages of The Nigerian Tribune, The Guardian and The Nation. However, The Guardian in its headline, said the BUA-sponsored vaccines will be available, next week. 

The Punch did not devote any section of its cover page to the BUA-sponsored vaccines but reported that African Union allocated 42 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria. 

COVID-19 REGULATIONS

The Punch devoted its cover page to analyse the compliance of Nigeria to the recent COVID-19 regulations signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The paper examined the enforcement of the regulations by states, noting that Nigerians are not complying with the rules. 

Daily Sun’s cover story examined the regulations on COVID-19 and the impact of fake COVID-19 tests on how airlines treat Nigerians.

OSUN COMMUNITIES LAND DISPUTE

The Punch’s cover picture on Tuesday shows a burnt petrol station, a destroyed car and a burnt building — the aftermath of a clash over land between Iloba and Erin-Osun communities in Osun state. The Nigerian Tribune reported that the death toll from the incident is six.

LAGOS CULT CLASH 

The Punch reported that 19 persons were arrested after a clash among rival cult groups in Alakuko area of Lagos, and that six people were killed.

INSECURITY

The Nation reported that kidnappers attacked a funeral convoy in Edo state. On the same incident, The Nigerian Tribune in its headline, said the bereaved brother was kidnapped during the attack.

On Benue’s communal crisis, The Nigerian Tribune said the military arrested 10 suspects and recovered 16 weapons.