Monday briefing: Amotekun kills, doctors mourn and Boko Haram strikes again
What you need to know.
Good morning.
We are focusing on how Amotekun killed a student in Oyo, the Covid decimation of doctors and, of course, insecurity in Borno.
Amotekun admits to killing student in Oyo
The South-west regional security network has admitted to killing Akolade Gbadebo, a 400-level student of the Federal College of Education Special (SPED), Oyo, but claimed he was a “known cultist” and leader of an armed robbery gang.
The National Association of Nigerian Student (NANS) had earlier accused Amotekun of the extra-judicial killing of Gbadebo. But Amotekun commandant in Oyo, Olayinka Olayanju, believes the student association is being used to discredit the security outfit and “score cheap political points against the state government.”
Context: Amotekun was conceived by South-West states as a mechanism to address insecurity in the region. While policing remains on the exclusive list (that is, the preserve of the federal government), the regional network, backed by law in many South-West states, is expected to provide on-the-ground support for national crime-fighting agencies. But critics worry the network’s members will resort to abusing their powers.
More voices: Gbadebo’s sibling, Habeeb, says Amotekun officials threatened to kill him after he asked questions about why his brother was shot.
Covid hits doctors hard
At least 20 doctors died in the past week after contracting Covid, according to the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in the FCT, Dr Enema Amodu.
According to Amodu, the doctors died in the course of treating infected patients who failed to disclose their true health status.
Buhari: The President acknowledged the sacrifice of health workers during the pandemic and says his administration “will give their welfare the priority it deserves.”
NCDC: The disease control agency reported 838 new confirmed Covid cases and seven deaths on Sunday. According to the President of the NMA, Innocent Ujah, the spike in new cases was as a result of incoming travellers from the UK and the US.
Church: The Christian Association of Nigeria in Ogun state is disputing the government’s suspension of crossover services in the state amid a second wave of the Covid pandemic.
Lagos: The state government says it has sealed about 12 facilities - including Westend Nightclub, Rumors, Lekki Waterside, Landmark Event Centre and the Wave Beach club - for defying Covid management directives.
Boko Haram attacks Borno communities
Hundreds of villagers fled their homes over the weekend after Boko Haram terrorists attacked communities in Hawul and Shaffa local governments in Borno state. They shot sporadically, looted food items and set houses ablaze before they were engaged by the military.
Zulum: The Borno state Governor visited the attacked villages on Sunday and promised that better days are ahead.
Related: The chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Kaduna state, Apostle Emmanuel Bako and his wife, Cindy, have regained their freedom less than 48 hours after being kidnapped.
What else is happening?
CBN: According to a report from the apex bank, firms expect the naira to further depreciate in January.
APC: The ruling party released a statement rejecting insinuations that Nigeria is a failed state.
ICPC: A report by the anti-corruption agency found that an estimated N9.4bn worth of bribes exchanged hands in the judicial sector between 2018 and 2020.
Third Mainland: The bridge is expected to be opened today, 24 hours earlier than scheduled, according to the Federal Controller of Works Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola.
CAR: Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls on Sunday for presidential and legislative elections, which are being held under the threat of violence.
Trump: The US President has averted a partial government shutdown by signing into law a coronavirus relief and spending package bill.
China: The country sent a new remote sensing satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Sunday
And that’s it for today. Have a lovely holiday. See you tomorrow.