Good morning.

Here are the top 5 stories you should be monitoring today:

President Muhammadu Buhari met with the President of United States, Donald Trump, at a Luncheon in honour of selected African heads on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. Here are some photos from the meeting.

This is following his address to world leaders on Tuesday where he talked about North Korea, Boko Haram, African democracy, and global security. Here’s a full transcript of his speech.

—–

Meanwhile, back in Nigeria, the Federal government has accused France and the United Kingdom of aiding the pro-Biafra group, Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

It blamed the United Kingdom for permitting the Biafra Radio which has been broadcasting from its territory, and France, for sponsoring the secessionist group.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who spoke after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said, “Let me tell you, the financial headquarters is in France, we know, but you see, can you as a government stop sending money to your parents? You have to block the sources of finance.” Here’s everything else he said.

—–

As the military’s Operation Python Dance II is picking up steam in the South-east, another operation, Operation Crocodile Smile II, is being effected in the South-west, and the army says it would take care of the Badoo group, cultism, and other issues in the region.

Speaking on the operation, the Army Public Relations Director, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, insisted that the military operations were not targeted at “any particular ethnic group or group of individuals.” He added that these regional issues are avenues for the army to train “because, in the event of being called upon by the civic authorities, we will know what to do.”

These moves by the army have, however, been met with widespread criticism.

—–

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared an adjunct Professor, Olufunmilade Adeyemi, and a doctor, Mrs. Ngozi Juliet Olejeme, wanted for alleged fraud.

Prof. Adeyemi, Managing Director of Stealth Groups Limited is being accused of defrauding his victims of N34m under the guise of selling a property situated within Complete Leisure Estate, while Dr. Olejeme, a former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund is wanted for diversion of funds and abuse of office.

—–

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, yesterday obtained a court order proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and declaring it a terrorist group. According to the court order, the activities of the group in any part of the country amounts to an act of terrorism.

Following this development, YNaija contributor Alexander O. Onukwue, takes a look at what lies next for the secessionist group.