A private jet operated by Flybird on Sunday made a faulty landing at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, after its nose wheel collapsed on touchdown.
Airport sources confirmed the incident to Channels Television, noting that all 11 occupants on board the aircraft, including three crew members, were safely evacuated without any injuries.
“The aircraft experienced a nose wheel collapse while landing at MAKIA,” an airport official said. “All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and there were no casualties recorded.”
READ ALSO: NAF Jet Crashes In Niger State, Pilots Eject Safely
Another source at the airport explained that emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene to secure the aircraft and ensure the safety of airport operations.
“Our rescue and firefighting personnel responded promptly in line with standard operating procedures,” the source said. “The situation was brought under control within a short time.”
The aircraft has since been cleared from the runway and moved to a designated area for repairs, allowing normal flight operations to resume at the airport.
The Ebonyi governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced a Christmas bonus of ₦150,000 to every civil servant in the state for the 2025 festive season.
Nwifuru made the pronouncement on Sunday during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki.
According to him, the gesture aligns with his administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of civil servants despite dwindling revenue accruing to the state in the past year.
The governor also dispelled rumours of lethargy in Vincent Agwu Nwankwo Flyover, popularly known as VANCO, a monumental infrastructural marvel of his administration.
“You cannot find any state in Nigeria that is doing such a flyover currently,” the governor said at the event.
Explaining the construction rigours inherent in the massive project that will automatically alter the ugly scenes and give the state a facelift when completed, Nwifuru decried social media contractors’ cloudy view of the project.
He maintained that his administration is taking steps to ensure the state is seen in the comity of nations with advanced and modern infrastructures.
“We are doing it not because we have money. We are doing it because we want to sign our signature in the annals of history,” the governor said.
Nwifuru said Ebonyi State desires to be referenced in the global map of good governance characterized by modern infrastructure.
READ ALSO: Ebonyi Increases Minimum Wage To ₦90,000 For State Civil Servants
In August, the governor increased the minimum wage by ₦20,000, pushing the new pay for public servants to ₦90,000.
The increment, according to the Ebonyi State Government, was with immediate effect.
It said the government’s decision to increase the minimum wage was directly tied to Nwifuru’s ‘People’s Charter of Needs Agenda’.
President Bola Tinubu, in July 2024, signed the minimum wage bill into law, days after the National Assembly passed the Minimum Wage Act of 2019.
It pushed the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 and ended months of deliberations among labour unions, the private sector, and government authorities.
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued a kidnapped woman in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The rescue follows a swift and intelligence-driven operation conducted on 13 December 2025 at Torikegha Village, under Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State.
The operation came after credible intelligence received by troops deployed at Kufai Amadu regarding the abduction of a woman within the area. Acting promptly on the information, troops immediately mobilised and advanced to the affected community.
READ ALSO: Troops Foil Robbery, Rescue Abducted Victims In Taraba
A statement by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the 6 brigade Nigeria Army Public Relations Officer, says upon arrival, further investigation revealed that the victim was Iloda Ayinba.
Ayinba is a resident of Torikegha Village, was abducted while on her way to her farm by suspected criminal elements believed to be herdsmen relocating from the general area.
Troops swiftly and tactically traced the criminals’ withdrawal routes, conducting an aggressive search and rescue operation across the surrounding terrain, extending up to the power line corridor between Benue and Taraba States.
Overwhelmed by the sustained pressure from the advancing troops, the kidnappers abandoned the victim in the bush and fled.
She was subsequently rescued unharmed and safely handed over to the village heads, amidst appreciation from members of the community for the timely intervention of the Nigerian Army.
Reacting to the development, the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, reaffirmed the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens, farmers, and residents across Taraba State.
The 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is ongoing at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The summit, which will include a Special Debate on the Future of the Community, is also expected to include deliberations on key regional priorities, including political stability, security cooperation, and economic integration.
Regional leaders have arrived in Nigeria for the session to be chaired by the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio.
According to a brief statement from Bio’s office, the ECOWAS boss arrived in Abuja on Saturday.
“At this important gathering, the regional leaders are expected to discuss various critical issues impacting West Africa, with particular focus on recent incidents involving Guinea-Bissau and Benin,” the statement read.
Key agenda items include discussions on the future of the ECOWAS Community, presentation of the 2025 Annual Report on the State of the Community, updates on regional security and mediation efforts, progress on the political transition in Guinea, and a review of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).
The summit is expected to end with the adoption of a final communiqué, followed by a joint press conference.
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the kidnapping of a 62-year-old retired ExxonMobil staff member, Idongesit Demas Udom, and the amputation of his hand after collecting a ₦5 million ransom.
The convicts—Chinatu Iwe Abraham, 38, from Isiala Ngwa, Abia State; William ThankGod Sunday, 30; Ubon Monday Ebebe, 30; and Saturday Jonah Udo, 43, all from Idung Nneke in Ukanafun Local Government Area, were found guilty on three counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, and wounding with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.
Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgment after a four-hour reading, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Three other defendants—Kingsley John Akpan, 32; Etimefiok Ime Ezekiel, 37; and Joseph Sunday Etim, 31, were discharged and acquitted due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, including the victim, while all seven defendants testified in their defence.
Udom told the court that the events leading to his abduction began on December 20, 2016, following a dispute over an attempt by the second convict, William ThankGod Sunday, to organise a second “cultist carnival” in the village.
The elders opposed the event after a billboard advertised activities such as smoking, drinking and eating competitions, citing concerns about youth corruption.
A meeting at Udom’s residence, where he served as administrator of the Royal Family and President of the Idung Nneke Development Association, resolved that the carnival should not be held. The matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer in Ukanafun, who deployed officers to stop the event.
The intervention, the court heard, angered the second convict, who allegedly blamed Udom for his loss in a subsequent village youth leadership election and sent threat messages to the village head. Udom testified that he did not take the threats seriously, noting that he had previously helped secure the convict’s release from detention in Abia State.
According to evidence before the court, the second convict later convened a meeting on March 16, 2017, with accomplices and recruited kidnappers from Abia State to abduct Udom after local criminals declined to target him due to his standing in the community. The victim was eventually kidnapped, a ₦5 million ransom was paid, and his hand was amputated.
In sentencing, Justice Ette imposed seven years’ imprisonment on each convict for conspiracy, death by hanging for kidnapping, and three years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent to maim. While pronouncing the death sentence, the judge said, “May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
The convicts pleaded for leniency during allocutus, but the court upheld the penalties prescribed by law. Security was tight around the court premises during the proceedings.
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ISWAP Repelled
CCTV footage confirmed that several terrorists were killed and others sustained serious injuries.
Nigerian Troops Foiled Terrorists’ Attack With VBIEDs In Borno
Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a major assault by ISWAP terrorists in Guzamala, Borno State. The attackers deployed two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), both of which were neutralised before they could breach the military base.
Several insurgents were killed, weapons and logistics recovered, and the terrorists’ operational capacity was significantly degraded.
The army confirmed no breach of the Forward Operating Base, with aggressive patrols now dominating the area to reassure local communities. The operation underscores the resilience of Nigerian forces and their determination to secure the northeast against terrorist threats.
Chelsea, Liverpool Win
Salah and Palmer
Palmer Shines, Salah Sets Up Goal For Liverpool
Liverpool and Chelsea both secured morale-boosting victories in the Premier League on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah returning to set up a goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton and Cole Palmer inspiring Chelsea’s 2-0 triumph against Everton.
At Anfield, Hugo Ekitike struck within 46 seconds before heading home Salah’s corner in the 60th minute, sealing the points for the Reds after a turbulent run of form. Salah’s comeback, greeted by huge cheers, offered reassurance to fans amid speculation about his future.
At Stamford Bridge, Palmer marked his first start since September with a 21st-minute opener, ending Chelsea’s four-game winless streak. The England midfielder, back from groin and toe injuries, lifted the Blues back into the top four and underlined his importance to their attacking play. Both results provided timely boosts for clubs chasing Champions League qualification, with Liverpool steadying their campaign and Chelsea regaining momentum.
Farmers’ Protection
Farmers weed a rice paddy in an irrigation farm near Sokoto River, in Argungu on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Suzanne Lassen / AFP)
Nigerian Army Clears Bandit Hideouts In Taraba
Similarly, troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have cleared bandit hideouts in Takum, Taraba State, to protect farmers during harvest season. Working with hunters and vigilantes, soldiers secured farmlands and combed Zambana Forest, disrupting criminal operations.
Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa assured residents of full deployment to safeguard lives and livelihoods, urging communities to support security agencies with timely intelligence. The operation aims to guarantee a peaceful harvest and festive season.
Oyedepo Rejects Politics
Bishop David Oyedepo. Facebook/Winners Chapel International
Cleric Vows Never To Join Politics, Even For $1bn
Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel has declared he would never enter politics, even if offered $1 billion. Speaking at Shiloh 2025, he stressed that politics was outside his divine calling, urging Christians to focus on their spiritual assignments.
He warned that those not called to politics risked losing dignity and emphasised that believers must manifest solutions to crises in the order of biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel.
Wike Defends Tinubu Support
FILE: President Bola Tinubu (L) and ex-Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (R)
Ex-Rivers Gov Insists Loyalty To President Unblemished
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says he has no regrets about supporting President Bola Tinubu since 2022. At his 58th birthday celebration, Wike insisted his stance was based on equity and justice, recalling his role in Rivers State during the 2023 elections.
Political allies praised his leadership, describing him as a consistent and influential figure. Wike pledged continued collaboration with his supporters, dismissing criticism as motivation to keep pushing forward.
PDP Leaders Visit Obasanjo
PDP Leaders with former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Opposition Party Vows To Challenge Ruling APC
PDP National Chairman Taminu Turaki led party leaders to meet former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, declaring the party “battle-ready” for the 2027 general elections. He said PDP would first reclaim Ekiti and Osun states before challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level.
Obasanjo was praised for his democratic contributions, with leaders describing the visit as a “new dawn” for the party. Turaki urged unity, stressing that Nigerians were tired of APC governance and ready for change.
