Newswave Daily

18/12/2025

Breaking: Burkina Faso Finally Releases 11 Nigerian Air Force Personnel
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Burkina Faso released 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel after high-level diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria The release followed engagements in Ouagadougou led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar with Burkinabè authorities Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy regional cooperation and adherence to international military and aviation protocols.

The release follows diplomatic engagement in Ouagadougou Eleven Nigerian Air Force personnel detained by Burkinabè authorities since last week are released by Burkina Faso.

The release was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, concluded a series of engagements with Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including talks with President Ibrahim Traoré. Ebienfa said the outcome underscored the effectiveness of diplomacy in resolving sensitive bilateral issues, ThisDay reported.

“The release of the Nigerian Air Force personnel reflects the success of constructive dialogue and Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful engagement with its neighbours,” he said. The Nigerian delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.

The team was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution to the incident through sustained dialogue and mutual understanding, Vanguard reported. Nigeria reaffirms commitment to regional cooperation, a senior official familiar with the mission, quoted by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, said the engagement was aimed at de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained personnel, while reaffirming Nigeria’s adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

“The mission points to Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It was a confidence-building visit designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the source said.

Officials express optimism over strengthened ties According to the official, the delegation also conveyed Abuja’s enduring commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and respect for international norms, highlighting the long-standing cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Officials expressed optimism that the successful resolution of the incident would deepen bilateral understanding and reinforce collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security across the region. FG speaks on grounded aircraft to spy on Burkina Faso Previously, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s federal government has rejected claims circulating online that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft currently in Burkina Faso was compelled to land over allegations of espionage.

Officials described the reports as false and deliberately misleading, warning that they distort facts around a routine military operation. Authorities also dismissed assertions that the 11 crew members and engineering personnel on board were intelligence officers trained for covert activities. They clarified that no announcement was ever made by the Nigerian Air Force or any government body regarding the release of the personnel by Burkinabe authorities.

Source: legit.ng

18/12/2025

STATES IN NIGERIA WHERE BANDITS THREATEN TO ATTACK ON CHRISTMAS DAY

A humanitarian group has warned that bandits and terrorists are planning coordinated attacks on some communities in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day.

The warning has raised fresh fears as the festive season approaches, especially in parts of the Middle Belt that have suffered repeated violence this year.

Warning from humanitarian group
The alert came from Equipping The Persecuted, a humanitarian organisation that focuses on violence against vulnerable communities.

Its founder, Judd Saul, raised the alarm during an international security meeting held on December 8 in Washington DC, United States.

According to Saul, armed groups have begun regrouping and moving weapons to specific border areas in preparation for Christmas Day attacks. He described the intelligence as reliable and urgent, warning that lives could be lost if action is not taken quickly.

States mentioned in the threat
Based on the information shared at the meeting, the areas of concern cut across four states

PLATEAU STATE
Communities mentioned include Riyom and Bokkos. These areas sit close to state borders that make movement easy for armed groups.

NASARAWA STATE
Nasarawa was identified as a key transit zone, especially along its borders with Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna. The state is believed to be hosting regrouping points for the attackers.

BENUE STATE
Agatu Local Government Area was specifically mentioned as a possible target. The area has faced deadly raids in the past year.

KADUNA STATE
Kafanchan and surrounding communities in southern Kaduna were listed as areas at risk, particularly along the Nasarawa-Kaduna border.

WHAT THE ATTACKERS ARE PLANNING
Saul told participants at the meeting that the armed groups are gathering fighters and weapons and intend to strike on Christmas Day, when many families are at home or in churches.

He warned that the attacks could be deadly if security agencies fail to stop them in time.

He appealed to both the Nigerian government and international partners to act quickly to prevent what he described as a possible mass killing.

US OFFICIALS BRIEFED
Sources familiar with the meeting said the intelligence was officially passed to the United States government through Congressman Riley Moore. Several US lawmakers and officials with long-standing involvement in Nigeria’s security situation attended the meeting.

The attackers were described as terrorists and jihadist groups who have carried out similar assaults during festive periods in the past.

DSS CONFIRMS AWARENESS OF THE THREAT
In Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that it is aware of the reported plan. A senior officer said the agency has received intelligence on the threat and has already started preventive actions.

Another DSS operative explained that attacks in Plateau, Benue, and southern Kaduna often follow a known pattern, especially around holidays. He added that security agencies have increased intelligence gathering and monitoring in the affected areas.

RECENT ATTACKS HEIGHTEN FEAR
The warning comes after a series of violent attacks in 2025:

In Plateau State, bandits attacked communities in Riyom and Bokkos, killing dozens of people, including women and children.

Some incidents were never officially reported.

In Benue State, Agatu Local Government Area recorded deadly raids in June, while kidnappings and killings continued later in the year. In southern Kaduna, communities near Kafanchan were attacked last month, leading to deaths and displacement.

These incidents have deepened fear among residents as Christmas approaches.

GROWING CONCERNING AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS
The combination of fresh intelligence, past attack patterns, and recent violence has increased anxiety in the affected states.

While security agencies say they are taking steps to prevent any attack, the humanitarian group insists that swift and decisive action is needed.

For many communities, the hope is that the warnings will lead to a stronger security presence and prevent another tragic Christmas Day in Nigeria.

Source: Business Elites Africa
businesselitesafrica.com

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Burkina Faso released eleven detained Nigerian military officers after an unauthorized landing.

The Nigerian Air Force C-130 made an emergency landing, citing technical failure as the cause.

Burkina Faso and AES claimed the event violated national airspace and sovereignty regulations.

The incident underscored regional tensions following a coup in Benin and Nigeria's involvement.

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Alhaji Mohammed also described the passing of the immediate-past president as a deeply personal loss.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, Mohammed expressed his profound sorrow, stating that late former President Buhari embodied rare qualities of leadership, humility, and humanity.

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