Daily Digest Online

Nigerian soldiers who were on board a military aircraft that made a forced landing in Burkina Faso last week remain in the West African country, according to Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. The incident occurred on Monday, December 8, when the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)—a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic—accused a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft of violating its airspace. The AES, which has broken away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), authorized its members to "neutralize" any aircraft violating its territory. Conflicting Narratives and Regional Tensions The aircraft was carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers at the time. The Nigerian Air Force stated the plane was on a "ferry mission to Portugal" and suggested the landing was forced due to a technical issue. However, authorities from the AES, particularly Mali's junta leader Assimi Goita, described t...

Bayelsa State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of its Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The veteran politician, known for his influential role in state politics, reportedly collapsed at his official residence in Yenagoa before being rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Ewhrudjakpo, who was serving under Governor Douye Diri, had a long and distinguished career in Nigerian politics, transitioning seamlessly between legislative and executive roles. His death marks a significant loss for the state's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and creates an immediate constitutional succession question. A Storied Political Career Before becoming Deputy Governor in 2020, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo had already cemented his place in Bayelsa's political landscape. He served as a Senator representing Bayelsa West from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, he was a two-term member of the Ho...

A United States congressional delegation has raised serious concerns after visiting camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria's Benue State, describing a dire humanitarian crisis and framing the violence as a "genocidal campaign." The delegation, led by Congressman Riley Moore and directed by President Donald Trump, conducted the on-the-ground mission to inform U.S. policy on global religious persecution and atrocity response. Key Findings from the Visit Congressman Moore reported encountering "harrowing" conditions in the camps and estimated that over 600,000 Christians have been displaced by ongoing violence in the region. He shared devastating personal testimonies from survivors, including one woman who witnessed the killing of her husband and five children, and another whose family was murdered before her eyes. During the visit, Moore met with local Tiv and Catholic leaders and held discussions with Nigeria’...

The alleged mastermind behind last week's failed coup in Benin Republic is reportedly hiding in the capital of neighboring Togo, according to Beninese officials, setting the stage for a potential diplomatic standoff. Pascal Tigri, identified as the ringleader of the attempted overthrow, was located in the Lome 2 district of Togo's capital—an area that also houses the residence of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe. The Hunt for the Fugitive Leader The coup attempt was thwarted by Beninese soldiers with support from Nigerian and Ivorian forces. While Nigeria conducted airstrikes against fleeing plotters, Tigri evaded capture. His trail led to Togo after intelligence revealed he had been contacted using a Togolese phone number on the day of the coup. Benin's national intelligence service has formally requested Togo's assistance in apprehending and extraditing Tigri and his accomplices. A government source stated that any failure by Togo to comply ...

A lighthearted moment occurred on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the birthday of a colleague with whom he has a publicly known dispute. During the session, Akpabio observed a Senate tradition of recognizing lawmakers celebrating their birthdays. December 9th marked the birthdays of both Akpabio himself and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. A video from the chamber shows senators bursting into laughter as Akpabio, after announcing his own name, pauses before referring to "another person, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan." The humorous reaction from the chamber is noted in the context of the known political and legal tensions between the Senate President and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who are currently engaged in a court case.

In a significant shift ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, seven aspirants within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stepped down from the party's primary race. The decision followed a meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, focused on fostering party unity and presenting a single, strong front for the upcoming election. After discussions, the aspirants agreed to rally behind Bola Oyebamiji as the consensus candidate for the party's primary. This move is widely seen as an effort to reduce internal competition and streamline the APC's campaign strategy. Notably absent from the meeting was a key aspirant, Iyiola Omisore. His boycott follows his recent public criticism of being disqualified from the primary, which he previously labeled "a joke." His absence highlights lingering tensions within the party's ranks. The seven aspirants who withdrew are: for...

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has stated that the recent murder of a retired judge underscores the persistent insecurity faced by judicial officers in Nigeria, even after they leave the bench. Her comments follow the killing of retired Delta State High Court Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, whose body was discovered in her home in Asaba two weeks ago. Police reports indicated she was found with her hands and legs bound, showing signs of a violent assault. Suspect in Custody The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of a prime suspect, 25-year-old Godwin Mngumi. Mngumi, who was employed as a night security guard at the judge's residence, was detained in Anambra State on December 6, 2025, after fleeing the scene following the incident. A Call for Safety and Security In a video statement, Justice Monica expressed deep concern over the vulnerability of judges. She pointed out that the late judge resided in an are...

International human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe has made a startling historical claim during a recent interview, alleging that Nigeria's late President Umaru Yar'Adua once personally appealed to Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf to end his violent campaign against Christians. While discussing the root causes of Nigeria's persistent insecurity, Ogebe recounted a purported sermon by Yusuf himself. According to Ogebe, Yusuf preached, "Yar'Adua flew him on the presidential jet and begged him to stop killing the infidels, but I won't do it." This account, if true, provides a rare glimpse into a private, high-level interaction between the Nigerian state and the nascent terrorist group in the late 2000s. The Claim in Historical Context The alleged incident is said to have occurred during President Yar'Adua's administration (2007-2010), a period when Boko Haram was transitioning from a radical Islamist sect to a violent insurgency....

ABUJA, Nigeria — In a significant escalation of its probe, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), just days after his initial release on bail. The arrest, confirmed by multiple sources late Monday night, is linked to a high-profile investigation into the recovery of $322.5 million in looted funds tied to former military ruler, General Sani Abacha. Malami, a senior advocate and prominent political figure who has declared his intention to run for governor of Kebbi State in 2027, now faces stringent bail conditions. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the EFCC is requiring two serving permanent secretaries to stand as sureties for his release, a condition he was reportedly struggling to meet on Monday night. A Case Rooted in the Abacha Loot Recovery The core of the EFCC's investigation centers on allegations of duplicat...

In a frank television interview, President Bola Tinubu's spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has sought to explain a glaring contrast in Nigeria's security response: the swift military intervention that helped reverse a coup in the Benin Republic last Sunday, versus the protracted fight against banditry and terrorism on Nigerian soil. His explanation centers on the fundamental difference between a conventional military target and an insurgent enemy that uses civilians as shields. A "Clear Target" vs. A "Guerrilla" Enemy Speaking on Arise Television's Prime Time on Monday, Onanuga framed the intervention in Benin Republic as a clear-cut, conventional military operation. "Look at the case of Benin Republic now," he stated. "They wanted to bomb a military base in Benin. They know where to go. They coordinated where they should actually bomb." He starkly contrasted this with the domestic security crisis, describing it as ...

BOBO DIOULASSO, Burkina Faso — In a dramatic military standoff that has sent shockwaves across West Africa, the Confederation of the Sahel States (AES) forced a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers to land in Burkina Faso on Monday, condemning the flight as an "unfriendly act" and a violation of its airspace. The incident, which saw the powerful Alliance of Sahel States—comprising the military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—place its air defenses on "maximum alert" with orders to "neutralize any aircraft" violating its airspace, marks a dangerous new low in regional relations. It comes against a backdrop of deep political fractures and a shared, spiraling security crisis that neither side has been able to contain. The Incident and Its Aftermath According to an official communique from the AES, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane was "forced to land" on December 8, 2025, at the airport in Bobo-D...

LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has provided a detailed rationale for Nigeria's ongoing electricity supply to neighboring Niger Republic, framing it as a fulfillment of a crucial long-term agreement that protects Nigeria's own energy infrastructure. He also delivered a pointed critique of the regional response to Niger's 2023 military coup. Speaking during an interview, Obasanjo explained that the arrangement is not a discretionary favor but stems from a strategic pact. He revealed that Niger Republic agreed not to construct a dam on the River Niger upstream from Nigeria's Kainji Dam—a project that could have severely crippled Nigeria's primary hydroelectric power generation. In return, Nigeria committed to supplying Niger with electricity. "International agreements should not be abandoned due to domestic pressures," Obasanjo stated, emphasizing that the symbiotic deal, which safeguards Nigeria's en...

The Abuja residence of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was sealed on Sunday by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a move that has been condemned as unlawful and politically motivated by his aides. Chief Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Sylva, issued a forceful statement titled "A Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC’s Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home". In it, he detailed the agency's actions, stating that the operation was conducted without prior notice, a formal warrant, or any adherence to established legal procedure. "No courtesy. No procedure. No humanity," Bokoru stated. He described the scene as EFCC officers "spray-paint[ed] his walls in stark red, emblazoning the words 'EFCC — Keep Off'" on the property, which he argued was the treatment of a fugitive rather than the home of a former public official. A "Violat...