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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Nigeria Condemns Attempted Military Takeover of Government in Benin

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian government has condemned the attempted military takeover of government in neighbouring Benin Republic.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received with grave concern and unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted forcible seizure of power in our friendly neighbour and brotherly nation, the Republic of Benin in the early hours of Sunday 7th December, 2025.

“This act of destabilization represents a direct assault on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to peaceful political transitions.

“Nigeria stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of the Republic of Benin, and applauds the swift action taken by Beninese authorities to protect its legitimate institutions and preserve the peace.”

“We commend the courage and professionalism of the Beninese security forces in defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the President. Their dedication ensured that the unfortunate attempt to subvert democracy was decisively repelled,” the statement added.

The statement further read: “Nigeria reiterates its strong commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law as fundamental pillars for peace, development and regional stability. Unconstitutional changes of government are an unacceptable and retrogressive step that threatens the hard-earned democratic gains and socio-economic progress of our sub-region.

“As a steadfast partner within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, Nigeria calls on all member states and the international community to unite in condemning this act and in reaffirming our shared commitment to the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain calm, uphold the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic means.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures the Government of the Republic of Benin of its full support and continued cooperation as we work together, as brothers and partners, to deepen democracy and ensure lasting peace and prosperity for our peoples and the entire West African region.”

Nigeria Condemns Attempted Military Takeover of Government in Benin