Newspaper Headlines: Nigeria lost $1.3trn to violence and death toll from Maiduguri blasts hits 16

February 25

09:10 2021

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Issues on Nigeria’s security challenges dominated the headlines in many national newspapers. The reason why the Kagara schoolboys have not been released and the death toll from the Maiduguri bomb blasts made the headlines.

The Nation says bandits and Boko Haram have killed more people in two states. The newspaper chronicles the killings carried out by the two groups in the past 48 hours. The newspaper says 18 people were killed in Kaduna by bandits, while Boko Haram killed no fewer than 10 people in Borno state.

The Punch reports that the abductors of students and workers of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state, say they will starve the schoolboys to death, if ransom is not paid on time. The newspaper says the abductors vowed to kill the schoolboys and reveal where their corpses are deposited. The Punch also reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 90 people with 614kg drugs in Lagos raids.

Daily Trust reports as its cover story why the Kagara schoolboys have not been released after eight days in captivity. The newspaper says the kidnappers want six of their gang members who are in police custody released. The newspaper also reports that the death toll from Maiduguri bomb blasts rose to 16 from the initial 10.

Oil subsidy and minimum wage are in focus as 36 state governors meet today, The Guardian reports. The newspaper says discussions on the pump price of petrol and the minimum wage will take the centre stage when the governors meet. The newspaper says the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) warned that the country is on the brink of collapse.

Business Day says Nigeria lost $1.3trn from 2007 to 2019 to violence. The newspaper analyses data from the 2021 Economic Value of Peace report by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The newspaper also predicts that digital currencies will be the next big thing in global finance.

THISDAY reports as its cover story the legal implications of dialoguing with bandits. Senior lawyers told the newspaper that there is no legal basis for holding talks with bandits because banditry is a crime. The newspaper also reports that Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, restated the need for state police during his inauguration for a second term in office.