Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines with our advocacy calls for Wednesday, 02 April, 2025.
1. ‘Killings, kidnapping: Angry residents shut major roads in Otukpo’ – Vanguard
Major streets in the ancient town of Otukpo, the headquarters of Benue South District, were yesterday taken over by angry residents who came out in large numbers protesting against the increasing cases of kidnappings and killings in the area.
Our Take: We call on President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators of the relentless kidnappings and killings in Otukpo, Benue State. The rising insecurity has left residents in fear, disrupting lives and livelihoods. The people of Otukpo deserve safety, and the government must act now.
2. ‘DisCos may take 11 years, N1.4 trillion to bridge 7.2 million metering gap’ – The Guardian
The sluggish progress of end-user metering by distribution companies (DisCos) may keep most consumers under arbitrary billing for another decade or more.
Our Take: The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, must take immediate and decisive action to accelerate the metering of electricity consumers across Nigeria. With 7.2 million customers still subjected to estimated billing and DisCos metering at an alarmingly slow rate, urgent reforms and stricter enforcement of metering targets are needed. The government must hold DisCos accountable, streamline the metering process, and explore alternative financing models to close this gap swiftly.
3. ‘Recall: Akpabio, Ododo tackle Natasha over assassination claim’ – Punch
The political drama in Kogi State took a new turn on Tuesday following a controversial visit by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her constituency, despite a state and police ban on rallies and restrictions on public gatherings.
Our Take: The Kogi State government and security agencies must uphold the democratic rights of all citizens by ensuring Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s safety while addressing any legitimate security concerns in Kogi State. Political tensions must not be used as a pretext to stifle opposition voices or restrict freedom of assembly.
