TheCable

The Punch reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the suspension of the sale of foodstuffs following a stampede that reportedly killed seven persons at the agency’s Old Zonal Headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos state on Friday. The newspaper says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sold over $300m to Deposit Money Banks in the last two weeks, amid desperate efforts to stabilise the exchange rate.

The Nation says a conference of speakers of house of assemblies in south-west states has called for the immediate creation of state police and devolution of powers. The newspaper reports that the supreme court has attained its full complement of 21 justices as prescribed by the constitution, as Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), swore in 11 new members on Monday. 

Daily Trust reports that suspected bandits have displaced residents of 10 communities in Igabi LGA of Kaduna due to constant attacks and kidnappings. The newspaper says at least seven people have been killed in cult-related clashes at the North Bank community in the Makurdi area of Benue state.

The Guardian says the federal executive council (FEC) has approved immediate social security payment to vulnerable households with National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs). The newspaper reports that the borders of the Niger Republic remain shut despite the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lifting its sanctions against the country.

Daily Independent reports that the federal high court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has restrained telecom operators in Nigeria from deacti­vating SIMs whose users were not linked to the NIN. The newspaper says the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the federal government to engage in the importation of food items from around the world to curb food inflation in the country.