10 things to note from Nigerian Newspapers today

It’s a Terrific Tuesday and below is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers.

1. Suspected sea pirates have killed three soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, in a gun battle that lasted more than one hour.

It was gathered that one of the pirates was also killed in the attack on the Tunu flows station belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company in the Letugbene area of Bayelsa State.

1. A former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has affirmed that Governor Ayo Fayose should be held responsible for the upsurge in violence ahead of the July 14 governorship poll.

Adeyeye, who expressed sadness on the killing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, William Ayegoro, and destruction of campaign billboards of the party’s candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said Fayose was heating up the polity in Ekiti ahead of the polls.

1. The Nigerian Air Force has deployed two attack helicopters to its base in Zamfara State to tackle banditry and killings reported in about five Local Government Areas of the state.

The helicopters were received at the NAF 207 Quick Response Group, Gusau, on Monday and by the Commander, Group Captain Caleb Olayera, who noted that the air assets would help in tracking and arresting criminal elements disturbing the state.

1. The Plateau State Police Command, on Monday, confirmed the arrest and detention of eight members of a dreaded cult group known as Yan Sara Suka, after they smashed and destroyed over 15 vehicles.

The destruction happened on Sunday at Bauchi Road, Nasarawa Gwom and Congo Russia, areas of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

1. There are reports that leaders of Islamic State (IS) are sneaking battle-hardened extremists from Syria into Nigeria.

According to the reports, some of the fighters were reportedly sent to the Middle East for training in a “chilling exchange programme.”

1. Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State to accept defeat in good faith if it loses the July 14 governorship election.

Atiku, who visited Gov. Ayo Fayose in Ado Ekiti, said losing an election to a rival party should be seen in the light of the concession to defeat by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

1. Governor Mohammed Jibrilla of Adamawa State has declared three-day mourning in honour of his Chief of Staff, Abdulrahman Jimeta.

Jimeta died in the early hours of Monday in Saudi Arabia where he had gone to perform the leaser Hajj.

1. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Katsina State has confirmed the death of 11 persons in a road accident, Sunday night, while celebrating Sallah.

Godwin Ngueku, the Katsina Sector Commander of the corps, said that the accident occurred when a Peugeot Saloon Car carrying the youth had a head-on collision with a tipper truck along Katsina-Niger Republic highway.

1. The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefanou Pontesilli, says no fewer than 1500 Nigerians are currently serving jail terms for various offences in Italy.

According to him, thousands of Nigerians unable to cross from Libya to Italy have also been stuck in Libya.

1. On the foreign scene, the Canadian parliament passed a bill Monday to legalize cannabis, making Canada the first G7 country to allow free consumption of the drug.

The bill was passed by 205 votes to 82 in the House of Commons. The legislation must now pass the Senate, and receive royal assent by the governor general before becoming law, likely by September.