Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines with our advocacy calls for Thursday, 03 April, 2025.
1. ‘Turji, hunted by the military, kills 11 farmers in Sokoto’ – Daily Trust
Notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, killed 11 farmers in Lugu town, Isa local government area of Sokoto State, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Our Take: The continued reign of terror by Bello Turji is a damning indictment of Nigeria’s security apparatus, and the senseless killing of 11 farmers in Sokoto should not be just another statistic. The military and security agencies must intensify their operations to not only hunt but decisively neutralise Turji and his gang, ensuring that rural communities can farm and live without fear. The state government must also prioritise intelligence gathering and collaboration with local vigilantes to cut off the networks enabling these criminals. Enough of reactive statements, it’s time for real, sustained action.
2. ‘N500,000 bill: Lagos hospital mum after death of pregnant woman’ – Punch
A private hospital (name withheld) in the Ibeju/Lekki area of Lagos State, where a doctor allegedly refused to treat a pregnant woman, known as Kemi, due to her husband’s inability to make an upfront payment of N500,000, has remained silent over the incident.
Our Take: Under Section 20(1) of the National Health Act, every healthcare provider, whether public or private, is legally required to provide emergency treatment without demanding prior payment. The tragic death of Kemi is a glaring violation of this law, and authorities must ensure that the hospital and those responsible face legal consequences. The Lagos State government and the state’s Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, must act swiftly to enforce the law, hold the hospital accountable, and prevent further loss of lives due to reckless profiteering. Nigerians must also demand full implementation of this provision, no one should die because they couldn’t afford a deposit in an emergency.
3. ‘Uromi killings: Residents allege indiscriminate arrests, extortion’ – Vanguard
Many residents of Uromi are still sceptical about what would befall them as life gradually returns to the town, a week after 16 northern travellers, mistaken for kidnappers, were killed by a mob, even as they accused the police of indiscriminate arrest and extortion.
Our Take: The police must remember that their job is to restore order, not to turn Uromi into an ATM machine where fear-stricken youths withdraw their freedom in cash. Instead of casting a wide net of indiscriminate arrests and extortion, they should focus on real investigations, ensuring justice is served without turning innocent residents into prey. If the mission was to secure the town, not their pockets, then it’s time to act accordingly.
