Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Saturday morning

Good morning! Here are the top headlines from Nigerian newspapers today:

• Niger expels French ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ behaviour
• ECOWAS denies being controlled by foreign powers to attack Niger
• 20 soldiers buried in Abuja after being killed by terrorists in Niger
• Ewi of Ado-Ekiti tasks FG to fix local refineries to end fuel hike
• Nigerian military vows to avenge killing of soldiers in Niger ambush
• Niger junta expels ambassadors of Nigeria, Germany, France
• Ohanaeze Ndigbo ready to sign indemnity for Kanu’s release
• Abia demolishes illegal structures in Aba
• NSCDC arrests 40 suspected illegal coal miners in Enugu
• Gunmen kill retired Customary Court of Appeal President in Benue

Here are the details of each story:

• Niger’s military government has expelled the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, from the country. The decision was made after the ambassador refused to honour an invitation from the government.
• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denied claims that it is being remotely controlled by foreign powers to attack the Niger Republic. The regional bloc said it is committed to resolving the political crisis in Niger through dialogue and mediation.
• The families of 20 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian military who were killed by terrorists during an ambush in Niger State were buried on Friday. The mass burial was held at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
• The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has tasked the federal government to fix all the local refineries to put an end to the hike in the price of petrol in the country. The monarch made the call during a tour of local government development areas in his domain.
• The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed that the Nigerian military will avenge the killing of its personnel who were ambushed at Zungeru-Tegina road in Niger State. The Defence Chief said none of the perpetrators will go scot-free.
• The head of the junta in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has signed two decrees authorizing Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene militarily on Nigeriene territory should the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) make good its threat to move in troops to restore democracy. The junta also expelled the ambassadors of Nigeria, Germany and France and told them to leave Niamey within 48 hours.
• Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared its readiness to sign an indemnity agreement for the federal government for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said nothing would gladden the hearts of Igbo people more than the unconditional freedom of the self-determination agitator.
• The Abia State Government has embarked on the demolition of illegal structures in Aba, saying everything must be done to restore the city’s master plan. The exercise, which was carried out through a joint effort of the Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa, Aba North, Aba South and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas Town Planning Authorities, saw to the demolition of illegal structures within the commercial town.
• The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said no fewer than 40 suspected illegal coal miners have been arrested in Enugu State. The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Muhammed Dada, said items recovered from the suspects included pumping machines, diggers, head-pans, shovels, and four Hanvan G7 trucks without registration numbers.
• Gunmen have reportedly killed a retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi, Benue State, Justice Margaret Igbetar. Her remains were discovered on Thursday by her son at her residence on 1, Wantor Kwange Street, opposite the School of Medicine, Benue State University, Gboko Road.