1. Troops’ Withdrawal May Begin February In Zamfara, Katsina, Others [PUNCH]
Barring any last-minute changes, there are strong indications that the Federal Government may begin the planned gradual withdrawal of soldiers from some states in February, investigations by Saturday PUNCH have revealed.
Top military sources told Saturday PUNCH that in the first round of the exercise, the withdrawal would take place in the north-western states of Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa and some parts of Kaduna.
2. Demolition Of “Ile-Arugbo” Facts As Battleline Is Drawn [VANGUARD]
Preparatory to the final taking over of the now controversial land ,the eventual demolition of the small bungalow, tagged ‘’Ile-Arugbo’’ constructed on the expansive land of the late politician,Dr Abubaka Olusola Saraki in the early hours of last Thursday by Kwara state government has thrown up critical issues over the controversy.
Already,the Kwara state government has expressed curiosity about the agitations of the former Senate President,Dr Bukola Saraki over the revocation of the controversial land on which ‘’Ile-Arugbo’small bungalow was constructed to meet the needs of aged women, who were his supporters.
3. I’ll Like To Contest 2023 Presidency Against Tinubu – Bode George [PUNCH]
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has said he will love to contest against the All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the presidential poll in 2023.
George said this during a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
The PDP chieftain said Nigeria’s future looked bleak as the APC had failed to deliver on its promises.
4. Imam, Party Chairman Among 23 Killed In Kogi Attack [DAILY TRUST]
An early morning attack on Tawari community in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State yesterday left about 23 persons dead.
The attack was said to have been launched about 1am on Friday by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen numbering over 100.
Locals said that the attackers invaded the community and began shooting sporadically and setting ablaze residential houses and places of worship.
5. Shehu Sani’s Alleged $24,000 Extortion: EFCC Grills MD, Summons Bizman’s Wife [NATION]
As part of the ongoing probe of Senator Shehu Sani’s alleged extortion of $24,000 from the Chairman of ASD Motors, Alhaji Sani Dauda, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday grilled the Managing Director of ASD Motors, Mukhtar Lawal.
The anti-graft agency has also summoned Dauda’s wife to appear before it on Monday, having witnessed the transactions between Sani and the complainant businessman.
There was however pressure on the ASD chief executive to withdraw the petition against the former Senator for an amicable settlement of the case outside the EFCC.
6. Northern, Southern Leaders Task PMB On Security, Power, Jobs [LEADERSHIP]
To facilitate Nigeria’s social and economic development in the year 2020 and in the new decade, Northern and Southern leaders have charged President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue with much vigour more reforms in the security and power sectors.
They also asked him to make job creation and massive industrialisation the corner stone of his second term in office beginning from this New Year.
