Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.

1. Punch: Tinubu assembles top brass, ex-govs to end Benue killings

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday set up a committee to help restore sustainable peace to Benue State following last Friday’s massacre in Yelewata community in Guma local government area of Benue State, which saw around 200 people killed.

Our Take: The formation of the Benue peace committee is a welcome step, but it must be matched with swift, coordinated action to bring lasting peace to affected communities. Stakeholders must work together to ensure that justice is served, victims are supported, and the root causes of the violence are addressed.

2. Daily Trust: Bandits Kill 24 Farmers, Others in Katsina Communities

Bandits have killed at least 20 farmers, three other residents, and a community watch corps operative, popularly called C’watch in Katsina State. The separate incidents took place in Kankara Local Government Area, one of the frontline LGAs in the state.

Our Take: While national attention is currently focused on the tragic killings in Benue, the relentless violence in Katsina State must not be overlooked. The recent killing demands immediate and decisive intervention. We call on the Katsina State Government, security agencies, and the federal government to urgently deploy resources, intelligence, and support to these vulnerable communities.

3. The Nation: Implementation of Tax Reform Bills begins next year

The Nation reports that a new tax regime anchored on the Tax Reform Bills, awaiting presidential assent, will go into effect in January.

The six-month window is to allow for sensitisation of Nigerians after President Bola Tinubu might have signed the harmonised version of the bills, marking a significant step in the government’s ambitious drive to overhaul the tax system.

Our Take: As the federal government prepares to roll out the new tax regime in January, it is crucial that the proposed sensitisation efforts go beyond surface-level announcements and reach everyday Nigerians, especially small business owners and low-income earners who will be most affected. We urge the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Federal Ministry of Finance to lead a clear, inclusive public sensitisation campaign. Nigerians deserve to fully understand how these reforms will impact their lives and livelihoods.