Nigerian News Highlights: Key Points for Your Monday Morning

Good morning! Here’s today’s summary from Nigerian newspapers:

1. Chief Nduese Essien, the former Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to attribute Nigeria’s leadership challenges to Western democracy. Essien, speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, suggested that the issues stem from a lack of adherence to democratic principles in the country.
2. Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen, a Catholic Priest in Anambra State, has been remanded for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager. An Awka Chief Magistrates’ Court, also known as the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, remanded the priest in prison until December 6, 2023.
3. Nigerian military troops neutralized scores of terrorists on the Mandara Mountain, disrupting their plans for a major attack on civilians. The operation was carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian Air Force.
4. Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared a nationwide curfew following an attack on military barracks in Freetown by unidentified gunmen. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the attempt to disturb the peace in Sierra Leone.
5. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is considering a bill to institutionalize the Igbo system of apprenticeship to address skilled labor shortages and unemployment in Nigeria.
6. The traditional ruler of Otulu community in Imo State, Eze Joe Ochulor, was kidnapped and murdered by unidentified gunmen on the same day.
7. Seyi Oduyiga, a father of three, allegedly died from torture in police custody in Ogun State over allegations of involvement in cultism.
8. Women in Kano State protested the Court of Appeal’s nullification of the election of Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressing dissatisfaction and alleging injustice.
9. In Katsina State, a combined team of police operatives and vigilantes killed five bandit leaders who infiltrated Kwarare village in Jibia Local Government Area.
10. Hamas released a third group of hostages, including a four-year-old American girl, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a truce, which sources suggest they are willing to prolong. Seventeen hostages returned to Israeli territory; one elderly hostage was admitted to the hospital due to her life being in danger.