Newspaper Headlines: Nigeria sinking under weight of petrol subsidy and trucks return to Apapa highway

March 04

08:46 2021

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The order of President Muhammadu Buhari that bandits wielding Ak-47 rifles should be shot on sight made the headlines in many Nigerian newspapers. Although cattle and foodstuff traders have suspended the blockade of supplies to the south, reactions on the situation dominated the newspapers.

The Punch says the federal government and commissioners will meet, today, over the distribution of 3.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. The newspaper says cattle and food dealers have ended the blockade of supplies to the south with a view to meeting with the presidency over their demands. Despite the enforcement of electronic call-up at the Apapa ports, The Punch says trucks have returned to Apapa highway.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that bandits carrying Ak-47 files be shot on sight, The Nation reports. The newspaper says helicopters are being used to supply arms and food to bandits; hence the imposition of a no-fly zone in Zamfara state. The newspaper reports that over 2.3 million people registered for COVID-19 vaccination within 24 hours.

Daily Sun says Arewa union has agreed to lift the ban on food supply to the southern part of the country. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) asked the federal government to extend the no-fly zone order in Zamfara to Benue, Taraba and Borno. The house of representatives has ordered a probe into the alleged missing $339 million from the sale of crude oil from 2018 to date, under the direct sales direct purchase (DSDP) arrangement, Daily Sun reports.

Experts ask southern governors to improve on food production, The Guardian says. The newspaper reports that the food blockade of the south is a warning that should spur agricultural development in the region. The Guardian also reports that a coalition of 15 civil society organisations in the north accused some northern governors of turning the kidnapping and banditry in the region into a money-spinning venture.

Business Day says owing to the high demand for Nigerian gas in Morocco, Nigeria has sealed a landmark $1.4 billion deal. The newspaper reports that a Nigerian team built first-of-its-kind technology for Microsoft. In another report, the newspaper says Nigeria is sinking under the weight of petrol subsidy.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, said there is no free land in the state for ranching. On insecurity, the newspaper reports that one passenger was killed in Osun by suspected herdsmen, and that gunmen killed six police officers; one soldier in Cross River state.