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December 9, 2025

News, Politics, Trending

Burkina Faso Allows Nigerian Military Personnel to Return Home After Airspace Breach

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Burkina Faso has released eleven Nigerian military officers who were detained after their Air Force transport aircraft made an unapproved landing in the country on Monday.

The officers, who were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130, were cleared to return home following initial checks by Burkinabè authorities, amid heightened suspicions linked to Nigeria’s involvement in the recent Benin coup attempt. The aircraft touched down in the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso.

According to the BBC, the officers were questioned briefly before being allowed to depart.

The Nigerian Air Force explained that the flight was on a ferry mission to Portugal but had to make an emergency landing due to a technical fault. NAF emphasized that the crew acted in accordance with international aviation safety protocols and confirmed that the personnel were treated well during their temporary stay.

However, Burkina Faso, along with other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—which includes Mali and Niger—offered a much sterner account. The country’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, accused the aircraft of violating national procedures by entering Burkina Faso without authorization.

In a joint statement, the AES described the landing as a breach of airspace and sovereignty, calling it an “unfriendly act” and expressing ongoing concern over Nigerian military movements in the region following the Benin operation.

Also Read: Reps Walk Out FIRS Chairman Amid Row Over Delayed Project Funds

Despite the personnel’s release, tensions remain high. The AES has placed its air and anti-aircraft defenses on maximum alert and warned that any future unauthorized aircraft entering their airspace could be “neutralized.”

The incident underscores rising mistrust between Nigeria—the region’s dominant military power—and the AES bloc, which has increasingly asserted its independence and readiness to respond forcefully to perceived threats in West Africa.

News, Politics, Trending

Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Birthday Moment Sparks Laughter in Senate

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A brief, humorous moment unfolded on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers celebrated December-born birthdays, including that of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who turned 63.

Coincidentally, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central also celebrates her birthday on December 9, marking her 47th birthday. The Senate has a tradition of publicly acknowledging and celebrating the birthdays of sitting lawmakers, with colleagues offering best wishes.

During Tuesday’s recognition, Akpabio first mentioned his own name, then paused before adding with a chuckle, “and another person, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.” The remark drew laughter from senators across the chamber, offering a rare light-hearted moment despite the undercurrent of tension between the two politicians.

The relationship between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan has been strained in recent months. Last week, the long-standing rift resurfaced online after Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that Akpabio had filed a ₦200 billion lawsuit against her following her sexual harassment allegation against him.

Earlier this year, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months from the Senate for misconduct and breaches of Senate Standing Rules, related to a seating dispute that escalated into disorderly conduct during plenary sessions. The Senate clarified that her suspension was unrelated to her sexual harassment claim, which had drawn national attention.

You May Like: Nine Killed, 51 Injured in Lamurde Clash as Army Denies Shooting

Since returning to the chamber on October 7, Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained a notably low profile, contrasting sharply with her previously active participation. Meanwhile, both lawmakers have largely avoided direct interaction, underscoring the ongoing friction between them.

Tuesday’s birthday moment, however, offered a rare glimpse of civility on the floor—a light-hearted acknowledgment that, for once, transcended political tensions.

News, Politics, Trending

Adeleke Joins Accord Party After Dumping PDP

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally pitched his political tent with the Accord Party (AP), days after severing ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He His defection was made public during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Accord Party held on Tuesday at the Government House Banquet Hall in Osogbo.

Addressing party leaders and supporters at the gathering, Adeleke revealed that he had actually joined the Accord Party on November 6, following extensive consultations with political allies, local stakeholders, and community leaders across the state.

According to the governor, his move became necessary in light of the lingering internal crisis plaguing the PDP at the national level.

He explained that the Accord Party provided a stable platform for his ambition to seek a second term in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

Adeleke emphasized that the ideology of the Accord Party resonates with his administration’s commitment to welfare-driven governance.

“The Accord Party’s philosophy of welfarism aligns perfectly with our vision to improve the lives of workers and residents of Osun,” he said. “Our focus has always been the welfare and well-being of the people, and we intend to consolidate on the progress we have already recorded.”

Welcoming AP leaders to the Government House, the governor described the moment as historic, stressing the need for unity as the state approaches another election cycle. He assured party members of inclusive leadership and a shared mission to sustain development across all zones of the state.

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Adeleke noted that Osun residents have witnessed unprecedented improvements in infrastructure and social services, insisting that the people are eager to support continuity in 2026.

He further reiterated his confidence that the Accord Party would secure victory next year, saying the party had become the new rallying point for those committed to good governance.

“Osun voted for progress in 2022, and they are ready to reaffirm that mandate in 2026. Accord Party is the vehicle for that continued transformation,” he stated.

Also Read: Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over Soaring Domestic Airfares in Nigeria

Adeleke concluded by officially declaring his intention to run for reelection under the Accord Party, affirming that the decision reflects the collective desire of Osun people and key political stakeholders.

News, Politics, Trending

Nine Killed, 51 Injured in Lamurde Clash as Army Denies Shooting

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The death toll from Monday’s violent outbreak in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State has increased to nine, while 51 injured residents are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds following a protest that reportedly turned deadly.

Residents told newsmen on Tuesday that the victims — predominantly women — had gathered to voice their concerns over renewed communal hostilities when soldiers escorting a senior military officer allegedly opened fire.

A community elder, speaking after a headcount was completed, confirmed the updated figures:

“We now have nine confirmed dead. Twenty-three people are admitted in Numan, and another twenty-eight are receiving treatment in Yola. Altogether, that’s sixty casualties.”

Beyond the human toll, the unrest left a trail of destruction. Homes, farmlands, livestock, and other property reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira were damaged, deepening fears in an already volatile region.

Army Rejects Allegations of Shooting

In contrast to the community’s account, the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army firmly dismissed claims that its personnel fired on protesters.

In a statement issued Tuesday by Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, the brigade explained that troops from the Army, Police, NSCDC, and DSS were deployed only to dismantle roadblocks erected by protesters.

The statement further clarified that the senior officer allegedly being escorted, Brigadier General Amechi Agwu, was not present at the scene, noting:

“The commander was virtually attending the Chief of Army Staff’s operational briefing at the time of the alleged shooting.”

The Army insisted that its intervention was in response to security alerts regarding armed militia activity amid ongoing tensions between the Bachama and Chobo communities.

According to the military, no civilian came under fire from its personnel.

Fear of Rising Casualties

With several of the injured reportedly in critical condition, residents worry that the number of deaths may rise in the coming days.

Also Read: Coup: ECOWAS Declares State Of Emergency Across West Africa

The situation has heightened anxiety in Lamurde and surrounding areas already grappling with recurrent communal strife.

News, Politics, Trending

Reps Walk Out FIRS Chairman Amid Row Over Delayed Project Funds

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A closed-door meeting at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 9, took an unexpected turn when lawmakers reportedly asked the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, to exit the session.

The encounter, described by insiders as tense, centred on the prolonged delay in releasing funds for zonal intervention and constituency projects.

According to a member present at the meeting, the lawmakers became irritated by what they perceived as Adedeji’s “dismissive” or “arrogant” responses to questions about stalled disbursements.

His remarks, the lawmaker said, prompted members to insist he leave the session to allow discussions to continue without further friction.

The executive session was convened after weeks of complaints from legislators who say contractors across multiple constituencies have halted work due to lack of payment.

The delay, they warned, is now threatening the effective implementation of projects tied to the 2024 budget.

During the meeting, Minister of Finance Wale Edun briefed the House and attempted to de-escalate the situation. He assured members that all outstanding obligations under the 2024 budget would be cleared within 48 hours, a commitment meant to restore momentum to hundreds of stalled federal projects.

Edun also disclosed that the implementation window for the 2025 budget would be extended until April. He explained that 30% of the budget’s funding would be released immediately, while an additional 20% would follow before the end of December—measures he said were designed to stabilise project financing going forward.

Despite the minister’s assurances, several lawmakers remained unconvinced.

The House, according to the attending legislator, resolved not to receive the 2026 budget proposal until every outstanding commitment is honoured as promised.

Also Read: Nigeria Seeks Senate Approval to Deploy Troops to Benin After Coup Attempt

The dramatic removal of the FIRS chairman from the session highlights a growing rift between the legislature and fiscal agencies, fuelled by payment delays that lawmakers say are undermining key constituency projects and straining institutional relationships.

Fubara Urges Nigerians to Choose Unity Over Division as Independence Nears
News, Politics, Trending

Fubara Defects to APC After Meeting With President Tinubu in Abuja

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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it emerged on Tuesday.

The landmark announcement was made during a stakeholders’ gathering at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The dramatic switch comes just hours after Fubara’s discreet meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the governor — clad in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap — walking through the corridors at approximately 5:01 p.m., shortly after the arrival of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for a separate engagement.

Though details of their closed-door discussions remain undisclosed, observers consider the timing of the defection — immediately following Fubara’s State House meeting — as significant.

The charge indicates a possible realignment of political loyalties ahead of upcoming elections, with Fubara now aligning himself with the ruling party at the centre.

Governor Fubara’s declaration at Port Harcourt’s Government House was met with applause from local APC stakeholders and a mix of surprise and speculation from political analysts.

Also Read: Nigerian Army Addresses Viral Claims After Bachama–Chobo Clash

Many are now watching closely to see how this move will reshape political alliances and power dynamics in Rivers State and the broader region.

Further reactions from both the PDP and APC — as well as insights into how this development may affect Fubara’s governance in Rivers — are expected to unfold in the coming days.

News, Politics, Travel, Trending

Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over Soaring Domestic Airfares in Nigeria

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The Senate has called for an emergency meeting with Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo and key figures in the aviation industry following nationwide outrage over the dramatic surge in domestic flight prices.

The summon was triggered by a motion from Senator Buhari Abdulfatai during Tuesday’s plenary. Abdulfatai cautioned that the sudden spike in airfare threatens the movement of citizens across the country and could cripple travel in the coming weeks if not urgently addressed.

Raising alarm over the situation, the senator noted that passengers have endured steadily rising ticket prices for months. He revealed that a one-way flight from Abuja to Lagos now costs between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, a price range that many Nigerians simply cannot afford. The lawmaker added that the situation is particularly troubling given the worsening insecurity and difficulties associated with road travel.

“We must sit with stakeholders in the aviation sector to identify the root causes and take swift action, especially with the festive season approaching,” Abdulfatai urged.

Lawmakers Decry Unprecedented Fare Hike

Several senators echoed the concerns. Senator Adamu Aliero labelled the current fare regime as intolerable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi described the situation as nothing short of a 400 percent increase—a burden he said the public should not be forced to bear.

Nwebonyi further faulted the federal government for the stalled establishment of a national carrier, insisting that Nigeria cannot continue without one. He challenged the aviation minister to take decisive steps to reverse the alarming trend.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan added that airline operators have benefited from multiple government concessions, including duty waivers on spare parts, and should therefore not be allowed to pass excessive costs to travellers.

But not all lawmakers agreed. Senator Orji Kalu defended the operators, arguing that they are battling skyrocketing operational expenses, particularly the rising cost of aircraft maintenance and spare parts. His comments, however, were met with stiff resistance from colleagues who insisted that the airlines must still be held accountable.

Stakeholders to Face Senate Committees This Week

After a heated debate, the Senate unanimously resolved that Keyamo, airline executives, regulatory bodies and other aviation stakeholders must appear before its committees within the week. They are expected to provide detailed explanations for the soaring prices and propose immediate solutions.

Also Read: Coup: ECOWAS Declares State Of Emergency Across West Africa

The Senate stressed that stabilising airfares ahead of the holiday season is essential, warning that failure to act promptly could worsen the frustrations already faced by travellers nationwide.

News, Politics, Trending

Coup: ECOWAS Declares State Of Emergency Across West Africa

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a regional state of emergency in response to a string of coups and attempted mutinies unsettling several member nations.

The declaration was delivered by ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, held in Abuja on December 9, 2025.

Touray warned that the wave of political instability sweeping through West Africa demands urgent soul-searching and renewed commitment to safeguarding democratic governance.

He stressed that the recent incidents reveal the pressing need to strengthen regional security architecture and reinforce collective protections against unconstitutional power grabs.

According to him, the troubling trend calls for “deep introspection about the future of democracy in our region and a renewed determination to invest in the security of our community.”

Also Read: Nigeria Probes Forced Landing of Air Force C-130 in Burkina Faso

The emergency declaration comes in the wake of heightened tensions, including the failed coup attempt in Benin earlier in the week, which further raised concerns about the fragility of political systems across the sub-region.

More details are expected as ECOWAS continues its deliberations.

News, Politics, Trending

Nigeria Seeks Senate Approval to Deploy Troops to Benin After Coup Attempt

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a regional peacekeeping effort.

The request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Tinubu explained that the move follows a call for support from President Patrice Talon after an attempted coup rocked Benin in recent days.

According to the President, the proposed deployment is consistent with the mandate of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which Nigeria chairs, and aligns with Section 30(5) of the Nigerian Constitution after due consultation with the National Defence Council.

Also Read: Nigeria’s Benin Intervention Shows Tinubu’s Security Resolve

The Senate has forwarded Tinubu’s request to the Committee of the Whole for swift consideration.

Nigeria has already carried out an aerial support operation in response to the unconstitutional power grab in Benin. Earlier reports from the 10th Senate indicated that the President is required to seek legislative approval within 14 days before authorizing any combat mission involving Nigerian forces outside the country.

Nigeria Army Sentence Three Soldiers To Life Imprisonment For Selling Weapons To Terrorists
News, Politics, Trending

Nigerian Army Addresses Viral Claims After Bachama–Chobo Clash

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The Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade has dismissed allegations circulating on social media claiming its personnel opened fire on civilians during a violent communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday, December 8, 2025.

In a statement shared on its official 𝕏 account on Tuesday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, described the accusations as “false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading.”

According to the Army, contrary to online reports, neither the Brigade Commander nor his escort team was anywhere near the scene of the incident. The commander, the statement said, was attending the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational briefing virtually at the time the alleged shooting occurred.

The Army revealed that personnel from the 23 Brigade, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) were jointly deployed after security agencies received distress reports around 1:35 a.m. about escalating violence between the Bachama and Chobo communities. The confrontation was linked to long-standing disputes over land ownership and ethnic tensions.

Upon arrival in affected areas—including Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku, and Lamurde—troops reportedly came under attack from a militia group suspected to be aligned with one of the feuding communities. Soldiers responded to the assault, neutralising three gunmen. Others were later discovered dead along the group’s escape route, alongside a recovered motorcycle.

The Army also recounted that troops were dispatched to secure the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat following intelligence that it might be targeted. During the movement, a group of women briefly obstructed the path of the security team, while armed individuals were said to have fired sporadically in the area.

Also Read: Nigeria Begins Diplomacy to Free Detained Air Force Aircraft in Burkina Faso

The statement firmly denied claims that soldiers killed civilians, insisting that the two women later brought to the Local Government Lodge were victims of accidental shootings caused by militia members “due to their unprofessional handling of firearms.”

The 23 Brigade expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to both communities to prioritize peace and dialogue to avoid further bloodshed and destruction.

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