By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The House of Representatives has taken decisive action to secure the swift release of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and its crew, currently detained in Burkina Faso.

On Tuesday, the House adopted an urgent motion sponsored by Hon. Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi, mandating its relevant committees to engage security and foreign affairs authorities to resolve the matter.

Background of the Incident

According to Hon. Adeniyi, the aircraft was on an authorized ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance when it executed a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025. He emphasized that the landing was conducted solely on safety grounds and in full compliance with international aviation protocols.

However, the Burkina Faso government claimed it trespasses their airspace, citing threat to their sovereignty as a nation.

Clarification and Rebuttal of Misinformation

The lawmaker provided critical clarifications to counter circulating misinformation:

Hon. Adeniyi reiterated that the aircraft was not on an operational mission and was not involved in intelligence gathering, espionage, or surveillance.

He stressed that the flight was properly documented and did not violate Burkina Faso’s airspace, nor was it intercepted.

The landing was a routine safety procedure consistent with global aviation standards.

The lawmaker warned that the proliferation of false narratives risks damaging Nigeria’s diplomatic relations, eroding public trust in national institutions, and creating unnecessary regional tension.

Resolution Made By The House

In response, the House has directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Air Force, National Security, and Intelligence to interface jointly with the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, and relevant intelligence agencies. Their mandate is to ensure the prompt resolution of all issues pertaining to the aircraft and its crew, facilitating their immediate return.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has denied issuing any statement in response to allegations raised against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Ahmed, in a short statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said he did not authorise the statement circulating on social media on the matter.

At a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, Dangote called for a full investigation into the source of funds used by Ahmed, urging him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to offer a public explanation.

“I’ve actually had people making complaints about a regulator who has actually put his children in secondary school. And that secondary school education, which is six years, four of them cost Nigeria $5m. I mean, you cannot imagine somebody paying $5m for educating four children,” Dangote said.

This newspaper had reported that Dangote has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to probe Ahmed’s financial activities, alleging that the regulator’s actions amounted to economic sabotage that could undermine public trust and investor confidence, especially as he granted licences for fuel importation.

In the evening of Tuesday, a statement purportedly signed by Ahmed went viral, but the NMDPRA team debunked the statement, saying that it was false. Engr. Farouk Ahmed said the viral statement did not emanate from him.

He said he had chosen not to engage in public brickbats despite being aware of the allegations against him and his family.

“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbats,” he said.

The regulator expressed satisfaction that Dangote had taken the matter before the ICPC, believing this would allow him to clear his name.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distil the issues and to clear my name,” he concluded.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The United States has imposed new travel restrictions on Nigeria and a host of other nations, citing national security concerns and deficiencies in immigration vetting. President Donald Trump formalized the policy in a proclamation signed Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of his administration’s controversial travel ban.

In an official statement, the White House justified the move as necessary to “protect America’s national security and public safety,” targeting countries with what it described as “persistent and severe deficiencies” in passenger screening and information-sharing protocols.

Nigeria features prominently in the rationale. U.S. authorities pointed to the operational presence of groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates in parts of the country, asserting that these security challenges “create substantial screening and vetting difficulties.” Beyond security, the administration highlighted compliance issues, noting a 5.56% overstay rate for Nigerian business and tourism visas and an 11.90% rate for student and exchange visitor visas.

This latest action revives and expands a hardline immigration policy emblematic of Trump’s presidency, which has previously faced widespread international condemnation and legal battles.

The updated restrictions now apply to fifteen countries, including Angola, Tanzania, Sudan, and several other African nations.

The immediate impact will be felt by Nigerian families, students, and business travelers seeking entry to the U.S. As of Wednesday morning, the Nigerian government had not issued an official reaction to the announcement, which is poised to further strain diplomatic relations and disrupt cross-border exchange.