By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

At least 11 Nigerian soldiers are currently detained in Burkina Faso. The detention occurs within a complex regional context, as Burkina Faso—along with Mali and Niger—has severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following military coups in all three nations.

In protest of their ECOWAS suspension, the trio formed a rival alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

Had a recent coup attempt in the neighbouring Republic of Benin succeeded, the AES bloc might have gained a fourth member.

Nigeria had played a key role in foiling the coup before ECOWAS sent its standby force to Benin to assist the government to fully reclaim order.

It is unclear if a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers was part of the standby force or among the troops deployed to crush the insurrection in Benin.

President Bola Tinubu had confirmed deployment of Nigerian troops in Benin.

The development was officially reported by Burkina Faso’s state-run news agency, the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB).

In a statement on Monday, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) claimed that a Nigerian military aircraft carrying 11 soldiers had violated Burkina Faso’s airspace and was consequently forced to land.

The alliance described the incident as a breach of sovereignty, vowing to defend its airspace.

“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace. The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel.”

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe services and highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory for this military apparatus.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the Populations of the Confederation AES.

“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.”

As of now, the Nigerian government has not officially commented on the development.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The public presentation of a book chronicling the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari will be held on December 17, 2025.

This date coincides with what would have been President Buhari’s 83rd birthday, marking his first posthumous birthday since his passing on July 13, 2025.

The book, titled “Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration,” is authored by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who served as Minister of Information and Culture throughout Buhari’s presidency from 2015 to 2023.

The work offers a detailed account of governance, strategic communication, and nation-building efforts during that eight-year period.

The event, scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, by 10am, will be chaired by Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State and pioneer Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is expected as Royal Father of the Day, leading other eminent traditional rulers.

Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, wife of the late president, will serve as Mother of the Day.

A distinguished line-up of businessmen and industrialists will act as Chief Launchers, including Sir Dr Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Alhaji Abdusamad Rabiu; Alhaji Nasiru Danu, the Sardaunan Dutse; and Aare Kola Oyefeso.

The keynote address will be delivered by Prof Oladapo Afolabi, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, on the topic Nigeria’s Unfulfilled Global Community Expectations.

Mr Segun Adeniyi, former presidential spokesman and Chairman Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspaper, will review the book.

Speaking on the publication, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, “It will serve both as a commemoration of President Buhari’s life and legacy, and as a reflection on the policies, programmes and values that shaped his tenure.”

The book documents Mohammed’s stewardship of the Ministry of Information and Culture, covering information management, cultural development, tourism promotion, and national orientation.

It also provides insight into how major national policies were shaped, defended, and communicated during Buhari’s presidency.

The event is being organised by the Book Launch Committee, which, in a statement, described the publication as “an insider chronicle of governance and communication during the Buhari era.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde Local Government Area following a fresh outbreak of communal violence.

In a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, on Monday, the governor instructed security agencies to swiftly deploy to affected areas to restore peace and maintain order.

According to the statement, Fintiri directed security agencies to move to the areas threatened by the renewed communal clash to promptly restore peace and order.

The statement reads:

“The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening.

“Signed by Hussaini Hammangabdo, Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, security agencies have been directed to move into the area and restore peace and order without delay.”

The government urged residents of Lamurde to remain calm and cooperate fully with security operatives as efforts are underway to prevent further escalation.

The announcement came in after the news of how heavily armed Chobo-speaking tribal militia from neighbouring Gombe State, joined their counterparts in Adamawa state and launched coordinated assaults on Bachama communities in Lamurde Local Government Area, leaving dozens feared dead.

The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission.