These are the stories that drove the conversation today:
According to news agency Reuters, five security sources confirmed the death toll was not final adding that an officer who requested anonymity said more troops were killed as they were ambushed on Tuesday in an attempt to recover bodies from the initial attack, leaving the others to flee the town not knowing where the bullets were coming from.
“The insurgents took us unawares. The base was burned with arms and we lost about 100 soldiers. It is a huge loss,” another officer said “We left our amour, tanks and weapons. They were all there. The village is still under their control,” the agency reported.
In a related development, the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called for an end to the killings of soldiers participating in the fight against Boko Haram and urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the military.
The former Vice President who disclosed this in a statement released late Thursday, said “it is unacceptable that terrorists and criminals are frequently better equipped than members of our armed forces, stressing that it is the duty of the political elite to put aside any political differences and take a united stand to put an end to the killings, as he appealed to the Federal Government to review its policy of releasing so-called ‘repentant’ terrorists.
“I am tired of issuing condolences for unnecessary deaths. I prefer to make a difference and prevent unnecessary deaths amongst the gallant men and women of our armed forces and the civilian population they took an oath to protect,” he added.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the verbal attack on him by the Presidency over claims on the fight against corruption in his latest book and urged President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet members to take out their frustrations at Transparency International, which claimed that Nigeria was more corrupt today than under the last People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.
In a statement released by Jonathan’s media office, he said the attack by the presidency is evident of a guilty conscience, adding that Ms. Priti Patel, immediate past UK Secretary of State for International Development, this week also described President Buhari’s anti-corruption war as a sham and an impediment to Nigeria and foreign direct investment.
“Even the blind can see the corruption of this administration and the deaf can hear it. With questionable certificates, fraudulent #NextLevel logo and document, plagiarizing speeches of both Barrack Obama and Charles DeGaulle. Not to talk of the $25 billion dollars’ worth of contracts awarded without due process at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as revealed in Mr. Ibe Kachikwu’s leaked memo, Aisha Buhari’s ADC’s looted billions and the reinstatement and promotion of a thief like Maina,” the statement read.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Friday, told Nigerians in the South East that it is their right to obtain good governance, hence there is no need to plead for it.
Osinbajo who stated this at Enugu, said that the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government was committed to the development of the South East whether the people asked for it or not, citing the 2nd Niger Bridge as one of the projects in the South East that would be completed as promised by the President.
“The Federal government will surely deliver its promise to the people of the South East. The contracts of the projects are ongoing. The second Niger Bridge is on course. The Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway and many other roads and projects are on course,” the Vice President stressed.
A Technical Committee of the Senate has met with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen over 17 bills passed by the National Assembly for which President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent, based on advice he received from the Chief Justice earlier in the year.
As reported by the Nation, the committee led by Senator David Umaru sought clarifications from the CJN over the nature of advice he offered the President to refuse assent to Judiciary Amendment Bill 2017, No. 22, which seeks to strengthen the judiciary for speedy dispensation of justice.
“Your Lordship, this committee on behalf of the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly wants to hear from you directly on why you advised the President refusing assent to the bill. We believe that information made available to us via his letter of refusal to assent to the bills on account of advice given by your lordship is also available to you,” the chairman told the Chief Justice but journalists could not obtain the details of his response.
And stories from around the world:
Hillary Clinton has criticised the US media over its coverage of Donald Trump, calling on the press to “get smarter” about holding to account a president who is a master of diversion and distraction. (The Guardian)
British Prime Minister, Theresa May has said the UK should not hope for a “better deal” from the EU if MPs reject her Brexit agreement.
She told a BBC phone-in that there would be just “more division and uncertainty” if Parliament voted against the agreement next month.
Meanwhile, Spanish reservations over Gibraltar on Friday prevented the European Union clearing the last hurdle before a summit that is due to endorse the bloc’s Brexit deal with Britain on Sunday. (Reuters)
Martin Griffiths, the United Nations envoy for Yemen, has arrived in the strategic port city of Hodeidah to discuss plans with Houthi rebels to cede control of the port to the world body and lay the groundwork for restarting peace talks. (Aljazeera)
Congolese presidential candidates Felix Tshisekedi and Vital Kamerhe joined forces on Friday to take on the preferred successor of incumbent Joseph Kabila in the Dec. 23 election. (Reuters)
Read » The Late 5: Boko Haram reportedly kills 100 soldiers in Borno; I am tired of issuing condolences over unnecessary deaths- Atiku | Other top stories on YNaija
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