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Nigerian Soldiers Detained After ‘Forced Landing’ in Burkina Faso—AES Declares Airspace Violation

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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.

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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.

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Governor Yusuf Approves Appointment of Prof. Amina Bayero as VC, Northwest University

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Kano State Governor, Governor Yusuf Approves Appointment of Prof. Amina Bayero as VC, Northwest University Abba Kabir Yusuf, has confirmed the appointment of Professor Amina Salihi Bayero as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Northwest University for a five-year tenure beginning Monday, 1st December, 2025.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

The approval follows a recommendation by the University Council after a rigorous selection process.

Governor Yusuf, as Visitor to the University, commended the Council Chairman and members for their dedication to merit and integrity throughout the exercise.

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He also requested prayers for Allah’s guidance upon the new Vice Chancellor as she assumes the responsibilities of her office.

Prof. Amina Salihi Bayero is a distinguished scholar of Analytical Chemistry and the first female PhD holder in Chemistry from Bayero University Kano.

She has served in several academic and administrative capacities, including Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Deputy Vice Chancellor at Yusuf Maitama Sule University.

She is widely respected for her research contributions, leadership qualities, and commitment to mentoring young scientists.

Her appointment is expected to strengthen academic excellence and promote greater gender inclusion in higher education across Kano State.

 

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Movement for Credible Elections(MCE) Calls for Urgent Electoral Reforms

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a coalition of distinguished national leaders, has submitted a petition to the House of Representatives urging immediate and comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group emphasizes the critical need to restore public trust, which it warns has deteriorated to a historic low.

The petition, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was presented by a delegation of MCE’s leadership. The coalition’s prominent members include:

Pat Utomi – Chairman, Interim Steering Council

Dr. Usman Bugaje – Deputy Chairman (North)

Femi Falana, SAN – Legal Counsel

Oby Ezekwesili – Former Minister of Education

Ayuba Wabba – Former NLC President & Co-Chair

Bilikisu Magoro – Member

Nkoyo Toyo – Deputy Chairman (South)

In their submission, the MCE leaders stated that confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system is at its lowest ebb, necessitating swift and decisive legislative action to ensure the integrity and credibility of future polls.

The Movement calls on the House of Representatives to prioritize this matter as an issue of urgent national importance.

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They cited persistent insecurity, vote buying, voter intimidation, logistical breakdowns and irregular deployment of technology as key factors undermining credible elections.

According to the movement, only firm legislative action can prevent a repeat of the widespread dissatisfaction recorded in recent electoral cycles.

They said the stakes are too high to ignore as the country approaches another critical national vote.

The coalition listed priority reforms that lawmakers must address immediately to include strengthening the Electoral Act, enforcing electronic transmission of polling unit results, tightening penalties for election offences and bolstering the independence of the electoral commission through predictable funding and improved capacity building.

It also called for an independent audit of all election technologies, including BVAS and IREV, and demanded more opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities and Nigerians in the diaspora.

The group further urged the National Assembly to ensure that all election disputes were resolved before inauguration and to end pre-election judicial interventions that distort the process.

The petition pressed lawmakers to make party defections by elected officials a direct ground for loss of office and fresh elections.

It argued that such a measure would strengthen accountability and stabilise the party system.

The coalition said Nigeria has reached a critical turning point that requires courage from the legislature.

It warned that the credibility of the 2027 elections depends on reforms that must be enacted without delay.

MCE leaders, through its media coordinator, Comrade James Zena I, pledged to support the National Assembly through technical input and public engagements to ensure the proposals are fully considered.

But they added that the movement will not hesitate to mobilise citizens nationwide if lawmakers fail to act on what they described as the clear demands of Nigerians.

“We are ready to work with the National Assembly to deliver credible reforms. But if these demands are not acted upon, we will have no choice but to mobilise citizens across the country in defence of their democratic rights.”

At the time of filing this report, the request has formally been submitted at the National Assembly for consideration already.

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KAROTA Confiscates Beer Worth Millions of Naira, Hands It Over to Hisbah

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Kano State Roads Traffic Agency KAROTA today handed over three trucks of Liquor(beer) worth millions of naira to Kano State Hisba Command for onward destruction.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Abubakar Ibrahim Sharada Anipr
PRO KAROTA Kano State and made available to in Kano.

The trailers containing Four Hundred and Ten Cartons of Beer were impounded by the KAROTA Personnel on night patrol along major streets in Kano Metropolis.

Handing over the Bear trucks to the Commander General of Hisba, the Managing Director of KAROTA Hon Faisal Mahmud Kabir said the vehicles contained 4,920 bottles of beer meant to be off-loaded at different locations in Kano Metropolis.

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The Managing Director represented by the KAROTA Director Administration and General Services, Alh Mahmud Haido said impounding the trucks was part of KAROTA’s responsibilities to arrest any suspicious goods playing the streets in Kano and reporting the suspected culprits to appreciate security agencies.

Alh Mahmud Haido assured that KAROTA would continue to remain vigilant in checking all intoxicants that could be harmful to the health of the citizens.

Receiving the impounded Bear trucks, the Commander General of Kano State Hiba Command, Sheik Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa commended KAROTA personnel for their vigilance and promised that due process would be followed before the final destruction of the impounded Bear Cartons.

Sheik Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa represented by the Head of the Intoxicants Unit of Hisba Command, CSH Sani Nasidi Uba Rimo pledged that the Command would continue to collaborate with KAROTA in checking of such prohibited goods being snuggled into the state capital.

He then prayed Almighty Allah to reward the management of KAROTA and its personnel who impounded the Bear trucks.

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