Connect with us

News

Released NAF Crew Departs Accra for Portugal After Burkina Faso Detention

Phinadon Mag

Published

on

Quick Summary:
Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew detained in Burkina Faso depart Accra for Portugal aboard their C-130 Hercules aircraft after diplomatic negotiations led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar secured their release.

The 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members detained in Burkina Faso for nine days are scheduled to depart Accra, Ghana, for Portugal today, Saturday, December 20, 2025.

The personnel arrived at the Air Force Base in Accra on Friday evening aboard the same C-130 Hercules aircraft (NAF 913) that had been grounded in Burkina Faso since December 8. Their release and continued journey mark the successful conclusion of a tense diplomatic episode that briefly strained regional relations.

Key Details of the Resolution

Release and Transit

After their release on Wednesday night, the crew departed Bobo-Dioulasso on Friday evening, making a scheduled technical stopover in Accra. They are now continuing their original mission to Portugal, with planned refueling stops in Banjul and Casablanca, where the aircraft will undergo routine depot maintenance.

Diplomatic Success

The release followed high-level negotiations led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who met with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. The talks resulted in a swift and amicable resolution, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional diplomacy and mutual respect among West African nations.

Incident Context

The aircraft was forced to make a precautionary landing on December 8, 2025, after a technical fault was detected mid-flight shortly after departing Lagos. Burkinabè authorities and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) initially characterized the unscheduled entry as an “unfriendly act” and a violation of sovereignty, leading to the detention of the 11 personnel.

Condition of Personnel

The NAF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all 11 personnel remained safe throughout the ordeal and were treated cordially by local authorities. Medical checks conducted upon arrival in Accra confirmed that the crew was in good health and fit to continue their mission.

A Victory for Regional Diplomacy

The NAFReturn2025 episode is widely regarded as a diplomatic success for Nigeria, demonstrating the effectiveness of constructive engagement in resolving cross-border disputes.

By securing the release of its personnel through dialogue rather than confrontation, Nigeria helped de-escalate tensions that had briefly threatened to evolve into a broader geopolitical standoff within the Sahel region.

The incident also underscores the importance of clear communication protocols and mutual trust among West African states, particularly within the context of regional security cooperation and airspace management.

News

Wike says the labour union’s strike in Abuja is politically motivated.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress as politically motivated.

The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration over unresolved concerns about teachers’ promotions, including the requirement for vacant positions before promotions can be granted. The labour council directed workers in schools, hospitals, government offices and other establishments to withdraw their services.

Wike, however, maintained that the issues raised by labour had already been addressed and were being implemented. He also claimed that the Trade Union Congress and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools had distanced themselves from the action.

The minister warned that the government would enforce its “no work, no pay” policy against participating workers. He further alleged that the FCT NLC chairman was pursuing a political agenda linked to the African Democratic Congress.

The dispute has therefore extended beyond the immediate questions surrounding teachers’ promotions, with both sides maintaining sharply different positions on the status of the negotiations.

Continue Reading

News

Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Imo Governor Okorocha and Araraume Over Alleged Forgery.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

A Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Jiwa, Abuja, has issued bench warrants for the arrest of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and two others over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and the presentation of false documents.

The court also ordered the arrest of Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha, who are accused of conspiring with Okorocha to produce and submit allegedly fabricated All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary results.

The warrants, issued on September 9, 2026, authorise police officers nationwide to arrest the four suspects and produce them before Senior Magistrate Court 3 in Jiwa, Abuja. The case was brought by the Inspector-General of Police.

The development follows a complaint by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which asked the police and the Department of State Services to investigate Okorocha over his alleged circulation of fake primary election results.

INEC said the authentic results submitted by the APC showed that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma won the Imo West Senatorial District primary. The commission added that the party subsequently submitted Uzodimma’s name as its candidate.

In a letter dated October 8, 2026, INEC described the document allegedly presented by Okorocha as “fraudulent and fictitious.” It urged security agencies to investigate the matter, warning that the alleged conduct could threaten law and order in Imo State.

The accused persons have yet to appear before the court to respond to the allegations.

Continue Reading

News

Alleged Sexual Offense: Poco Lee Returns to Social Media Following Arrest in the UK.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

Nigerian dancer and influencer Poco Lee has returned to social media following his arrest in the United Kingdom over alleged sexual offenses.

According to reports, Poco Lee was arrested and remanded in August 2026 after reportedly facing five charges, including two counts of assault by penetration, one count of attempted rape, and two counts of rape. He was released on bail in September 2026.

Since his release, the dancer had largely stayed out of the public eye. However, he recently shared new photographs on Instagram with the caption, “ODINAKA,” while asking fans to forgive his absence from social media.

In the background music, he reportedly said in Yoruba, “E ma binu pe mi si ni online oo,” meaning, “Please forgive me for not being online.”

Several celebrities, including Zlatan, Israel DMW, Phyno, Yhemo Lee, Cubana Chief Priest, Cute Abiola, Destiny Etiko, Kiekie, and others, welcomed his return in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Trending

∧