Service Chief restate West African security commitment, as defence minister hails troops’ swift response to benin coup attempt

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Waidi Shaibu on Wednesday reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s strategic role in safeguarding the stability of the West African sub-region, stressing the need for stronger cross-border cooperation, shared security responsibility and deeper commitment to democratic governance.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony for newly promoted senior officers at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess, Abuja, the COAS said Nigeria’s security was inseparable from that of its neighbors.

He said that the Army would continue to support regional initiatives aimed at protecting common borders and strengthening collective defence mechanisms.

“Our role in the security of the West African region is vital,” he said. “We must continue to support general efforts to deepen our lived experiences, secure our shared borders and uphold democratic governance as the key to the stability of each nation in the region.”

“Our role in the security of the West African region is vital,” he said. “We must continue to support general efforts to deepen our lived experiences, secure our shared borders and uphold democratic governance as the key to the stability of each nation in the region.”

He noted that the promotion of the senior officers symbolised the Army’s confidence in their capacity to contribute to national and regional stability through improved strategic leadership and operational readiness.

“We expect you to bring renewed energy, foresight and commitment to your new responsibilities. The challenges before us demand professionalism, collaboration and a clear sense of purpose,” the COAS added.

In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), commended the Armed Forces for their swift response during the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic, noting that the timely intervention helped prevent the destabilisation of a neighbouring state.

“Our prompt response made sure that the coup failed, and this is what the Armed Forces should always do,” he said. “We must be ready 24/7 to respond to any threat whether against Nigeria or any of our regional allies.”

The minister said the promotion of the officers placed them at the strategic level of command where decisions directly impact national defence and regional peace efforts.

He urged them to lead with integrity, prioritise joint operations and strengthen cooperation with other services and security agencies.

The event was attended by senior military commanders, defence officials, families of the promoted officers and other invited guests.

Service Chief restate West African security commitment, as defence minister hails troops’ swift response to benin coup attempt

Burkina Faso weaponising emergency landing to attack Nigeria after Benin fails coup

By: Zagazola Makama

The Burkinabè military junta is using the precautionary landing of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft as a pretext to demonstrate growing hostility toward Nigeria, following Abuja’s role in helping avert the recent coup attempt in the Benin Republic.

The continued detention of 10 NAF personnel in Bobo-Dioulasso, despite their aircraft making a technical precautionary landing fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, “confirms a disturbing pattern of petty retaliation, insecurity and reckless behaviour by the Burkinabè junta.”

Emergency landings are globally recognised safety procedures, and ICAO rules demand that aircrews must not only be protected but provided immediate assistance. Burkina Faso’s decision to turn a routine safety measure into a diplomatic confrontation “is nothing short of childish and vindictive.”

The Nigerian Air Force earlier issued a statement confirming that the crew carried out a precautionary landing “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols,” and reported receiving cordial treatment at the initial stage. However, diplomatic sources told Zagazola that the continued withholding of the crew contradicts that assurance.

The action by Burkina Faso did not occur in a vacuum. The hostility followed Nigeria’s military intervention that helped Benin Republic’s constitutional order resist a coup attempt widely believed to have had tacit backing or sympathy within elements of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), of which Burkina Faso is a leading member.

The junta’s behaviour was now consistent with a bloc increasingly defined by militarism, paranoia and antagonism toward democratic neighbours, especially Nigeria, whose regional influence has consistently frustrated destabilisation efforts in West Africa.

Detaining an emergency crew is not an accident. It is an act of vengeance. Burkina Faso is attempting to send a message to Nigeria after the failed coup in Benin, but the message only exposes their irresponsibility and insecurity.

Burkina Faso’s conduct is an “embarrassing display of hostility,” warning that weaponising ICAO-governed emergency procedures for political grudges undermines aviation safety across the region.

If the junta’s behaviour is allowed to stand, it could endanger future emergency operations, discourage pilots from declaring technical concerns, and jeopardise lives. If Nigeria were to apply the same hostility, lives would be lost. Burkina Faso’s action is a threat to global aviation safety.

Given the seriousness of the violation, we advised that the Nigerian Government to immediately summon the Burkinabè Ambassador to provide formal explanation for the junta’s “reckless, unprofessional and unlawful” actions. Nigeria must “respond strongly to prevent further AES provocations.”

We also urged West African and international aviation authorities and every other body to condemn this blatant and dangerous breach of global norms,” while insisting that the detained NAF crew must be released immediately and unconditionally.

The world must not allow a reckless military regime to twist an aviation safety incident into a political attack on Nigeria
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Two fulani women rescued from forest after month-long abduction in Adavi forest in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Police in Kogi State have rescued two women who were kidnapped nearly a month ago from Irewagere Fulani Camp in Adavi Local Government Area.

Zagazola report that the victims, Safara Yakubu and Habibat Aminu, both aged 25 and of Fulani descent, were abducted on Nov. 3, 2025, at about 11:00 p.m.

Sources said that the Divisional Police Officer, Osara, mobilized a team based on credible intelligence and rescued the victims along the Osara-Oshokoshoko Obajana Forest on Sunday at about 2:00 p.m.

The rescued women are currently receiving medical attention at a local medical center.
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