The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described 2025 as a defining year in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, following unprecedented recoveries and expanded enforcement actions. In its 2025 annual report, the Commission announced the recovery of ₦37.44 billion and $2.353 million through asset seizures and forfeitures—one of the largest hauls in its history.

Speaking at the Commission’s End-of-Year Engagement, Send-Forth for Retiring Staff, and Annual Merit Awards Ceremony held in Abuja on December 14, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), said the achievements reflect renewed resolve across enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment.

The Latest Report

According to the report, the ICPC investigated 263 cases in 2025, surpassing its annual target of 250. Out of these, 61 cases were filed in court, resulting in a conviction rate of 55.74 per cent.

Dr. Aliyu noted that the asset recoveries were driven largely by high-impact forfeitures, representing a significant increase from the over ₦20 billion recovered in 2024.

Last year’s recoveries also included proceeds from the auction of 23 forfeited assets valued at ₦1.87 billion.

Beyond enforcement, the Commission intensified its preventive work across the public sector. Preventive assessments were carried out in 344 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) using the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard.

In addition, the ICPC conducted 66 corruption-monitoring exercises, tracked 1,490 projects nationwide, and completed Systems Study and Corruption Risk Assessments in 12 MDAs to address structural weaknesses.

Public enlightenment remained a key focus, with 644 sensitisation programmes reaching more than 235,000 Nigerians and generating about 3.5 million digital engagements.

The Commission also established 86 Anti-Corruption Clubs and Vanguards, trained 2,707 participants at its Academy, and launched 15 collaborative initiatives with partners, while civil society organisations contributed 57 complementary engagements.

The High Profile convictions and ongoing probe

A major highlight of the 2025 report was the securing of high-profile convictions and the advancement of several landmark corruption cases.

Among the most prominent was the conviction of Professor Cyril Ndifon, former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for offences linked to sexual harassment and cyberbullying.

Dr. Aliyu described the judgment as a strong signal of the Commission’s determination to confront abuse of office in all sectors, including academia.

The report also detailed ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving several high-ranking public figures.

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, remains under investigation over alleged $20 billion fraud, with efforts continuing to forfeit assets traced to the United States, including luxury properties and a superyacht.

Former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is facing multiple corruption-related charges in courts in Lagos and Abuja, involving alleged unauthorised financial allocations running into billions of naira.

Other notable cases include the prosecution of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, over the alleged $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project scam, and former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is facing graft-related allegations.

Several former governors—Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Theodore Orji (Abia), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), are also standing trial or under investigation for alleged large-scale fraud and money laundering involving tens of billions of naira.

In Plateau State, former Governor Jonah David Jang is reportedly wanted by the ICPC for allegedly evading interrogation over a ₦5.6 billion diversion case.

The report further revealed investigations involving military retirees, including Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum, who are accused of diverting public funds through 92 alleged shell companies.

Many of these cases are being pursued alongside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reflecting a strategy focused on high-impact prosecutions.

Implications for Governance

The size of the funds recovered and the prominence of those facing investigation highlight a significant shift in governance and accountability in Nigeria.

Analysts note that these outcomes send a clear message that no public office is beyond scrutiny, irrespective of rank, influence, or sector.

The successful prosecution of senior officials and professionals reflects a declining tolerance for impunity and is likely to discourage abuse of office, particularly within the public service.

However, the report also highlights the depth of systemic corruption, particularly in sectors involving large public expenditures such as energy, infrastructure, finance, and defence.

While recoveries strengthen public finances, experts note that corruption prevention remains critical, as funds lost to graft often translate into delayed projects, poor service delivery, and weakened public confidence in institutions.

Civil society groups have welcomed the increased transparency reflected in the report, but stress that sustained convictions, timely trials, and consistent asset recovery are essential to restoring trust and ensuring long-term impact.

The Way Forward

Looking ahead to 2026, the ICPC says it will deepen its focus on prevention, institutional reforms, and strategic partnerships. Dr. Aliyu urged staff to uphold ethical conduct, professionalism, and unity of purpose, while calling for stronger inter-agency collaboration to fast-track prosecutions and asset forfeiture processes.

Stakeholders have also called for enhanced judicial efficiency, improved whistleblower protection, and expanded use of technology in tracking public spending.

Strengthening public awareness, particularly at the grassroots level, is expected to remain central to the Commission’s strategy, alongside continuous engagement with MDAs to close corruption-prone loopholes.

Amid Nigeria’s ongoing challenges with corruption, the 2025 ICPC report highlights progress while reminding that sustained political will, independent institutions, and active citizen involvement remain crucial in the fight against graft.

President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a major boost to the Code of Conduct Bureau’s budget, elevating it from approximately ₦3 billion to close to ₦20 billion.

Dr. Abubakar Bello, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, shared this development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

Bello explained that the funding hike aims to modernize the country’s obsolete asset declaration process, enhance verification mechanisms, and improve enforcement capabilities, thereby increasing the bureau’s overall efficiency.

He stated that the additional resources are essential for financing technological advancements, upgrading the bureau’s operational facilities, bolstering verification procedures, and expanding enforcement abilities.

The CCB chairman reflected that upon taking office, he found the asset declaration process was predominantly manual, dependent on physical paper forms that were in short supply, costly to produce, and challenging to store, analyze, and verify.

He pointed out that public servants from various ministries, departments, and agencies frequently demanded tens of thousands of forms, which the bureau was unable to supply.

According to him, the situation was worsened by the fact that the 2025 budget made provision of only about ₦70 million for printing forms.He said the amount could only produce about 50,000 to 60,000 forms for more than 4.5 million public servants nationwide.

To tackle this issue, Bello noted that the bureau implemented a provisional solution modeled after Kenya’s approach, by making asset declaration forms available for download on its website.

However, he emphasized that this method merely resolved the issue of accessibility and did not address the fundamental limitations of a primarily manual process.

Bello announced that the bureau has progressed significantly in creating a comprehensive online asset declaration system, after thorough discussions with relevant parties.

He mentioned that the platform, anticipated to launch in the first quarter of 2026, will enable public servants to submit their asset declarations remotely from any location worldwide.

The CCB chairman described the digital platform as a “game changer” because it would be linked directly to key databases.

According to him, the platform would be linked to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Bank Verification Number system, land registries and other government records to enable instant verification.

He further stated that artificial intelligence will be utilized to examine asset declarations and assess changes in net worth between the start and end of a public servant’s term in office.

The AI platform, according to him, would flag unexplained wealth or possible breaches of the Code of Conduct for further review.

Within these ongoing reforms, Bello indicated that the bureau has started summoning ministers, permanent secretaries, and other high-ranking officials for asset verification, emphasizing that “verification is not investigation.”

He revealed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, personally appeared to verify his assets, sending what he described as a strong signal of leadership by example.

The CCB chairman reported that the verification exercises have resulted in interim forfeiture orders for instances where public servants either omitted asset declarations or failed to justify their origins, encompassing properties both domestically and abroad.

According to him, some recovered funds had already been transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He cautioned public servants that non-declaration of assets or ignoring verification summons may lead to probes and potential trials at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Bello encouraged adherence to the bureau’s core motto, “Declare or Forfeit.”

The Federal Inland Revenue Service’s newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) has been presented as a step toward improving Nigeria’s tax administration. But behind the official statements lies a troubling reality: this agreement risks placing Nigeria’s sovereign tax infrastructure within the influence of a foreign government. If allowed to stand, it may become one of the most hazardous strategic concessions Nigeria has made in recent years.

This concern has long been raised by policy experts, including Dr. Segun Adebayo, Executive Director of the Centre for African Policy Research & Advocacy (CAfPRA), who has consistently warned that Nigeria’s tax data should be treated as a national security asset.

During a public hearing on tax reforms in March 2025, Adebayo delivered a keynote address titled “Protecting Our Tax Sovereignty”. He argued that Nigeria’s rise as a fintech powerhouse — home to PayStack, Flutterwave, Interswitch, PiggyVest, Bamboo, and NIBSS — makes its financial and tax data one of its most strategic national resources. “Taxpayer data is national power,” he warned. “Allowing foreign control over this data is a threat to national security.”

Adebayo repeated this caution later that month in the Senate Pressroom, where he told journalists that giving foreign actors access to Nigeria’s tax system amounts to “handing the keys to your house and bedroom to a visitor.” His position was clear: no nation that values its independence should entrust its tax backbone to a foreign government.

His advocacy also influenced ongoing engagements with Senator Ned Munir Nwoko on strengthening the Nigerian Data Protection Act (Amendment) Bill. Adebayo proposed several amendments aimed at protecting Nigeria’s financial and GPS data by classifying them as sensitive personal data and restricting foreign involvement in the processing of tax information. Senator Nwoko welcomed these recommendations and instructed his team to study them further.

However, the tax reform bills ultimately passed without including any of these critical safeguards. In that vacuum, the FIRS–France MoU quietly emerged — without broad debate, without legislative scrutiny, and without the protection of data-sovereignty provisions that would have prevented such an agreement.

Why Experts Consider the FIRS–France MoU a National Security Risk

According to Dr. Adebayo and other data-sovereignty advocates, the risks extend far beyond technology cooperation.

1. Loss of Economic Autonomy

A country that outsources tax data management gives foreign powers visibility into its economic vulnerabilities and strengths — insight that can easily translate into leverage.

2. Exposure to Digital Surveillance

Foreign-developed tax systems provide built-in pathways for monitoring, espionage, and digital exploitation. Modern economic colonization often begins with data, not soldiers.

3. Geopolitical Dependence

With access to Nigeria’s tax ecosystem, France could gain an upper hand in trade, loans, and diplomatic negotiations. No serious sovereign state gives another nation such influence.

Adebayo and other observers also question why Nigeria bypassed its own digital innovators. As he asked during a House of Assembly address nine months ago: Why choose a foreign government agency over homegrown giants like Flutterwave, PayStack, NIBSS, Interswitch, and Bamboo — companies already trusted with billions of dollars in financial transactions across Africa?

Safeguards That Should Have Been Implemented

In his submission to Senator Nwoko earlier this year, Adebayo outlined precise amendments that would have prevented the current predicament:

• Classifying tax and financial records as sensitive personal data under the NDPA.
• Requiring at least 80% Nigerian ownership for any entity processing tax data.
• Mandating heightened security and local ownership requirements.
• Disclosing nationality and ownership of all subcontractors handling tax information.
• Extending cross-border data restrictions to foreign-owned entities operating within Nigeria.
• Empowering the Data Protection Commission to set Nigerian-ownership thresholds for data processors.

If adopted, these safeguards would have made the FIRS–France partnership impossible without National Assembly approval.

A Call for Immediate Action

Dr. Adebayo insists — as he did earlier this year — that Nigeria must act swiftly and decisively:

1. All digital tax reforms must remain 100% under Nigerian control.
2. No foreign entity should access Nigeria’s tax data, financial transactions, or national digital records.
3. Nigerian institutions — NIBSS, PayStack, Flutterwave, Interswitch, Bamboo, and others — must build and operate Nigeria’s tax infrastructure.
4. The FIRS–France MoU and all similar arrangements must be terminated immediately.
5. The National Assembly must urgently pass data-sovereignty amendments before the Nigeria Revenue Service becomes fully operational in January 2026.

Adebayo warns that tax data is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy. No nation surrenders its heartbeat and expects to remain sovereign.

The National Assembly, the Presidency, and all patriotic Nigerians must now rise to safeguard the nation’s digital and economic future. Nigeria’s sovereignty is not a commodity — and it cannot be outsourced.

The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has officially announced the commencement of the recruitment process for 50,000 new Police Constables and Specialist personnel.

This major drive is part of the Federal Government’s plan to inject over 94,000 new personnel into Nigeria’s security services, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency.

The initiative aims to strengthen community policing, enhance internal security, and significantly expand the manpower base of the NPF to confront escalating crime across the country.

The online application portal will open on Monday, December 15, 2025, and will close on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply

Prospective candidates are advised to follow the official guidelines meticulously. The recruitment process is free, merit-based, and will be conducted entirely online initially.

STEP 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before visiting the portal, ensure you meet the fundamental requirements:

•Nationality: Must be a Nigerian citizen by birth.

•Fitness: Must be physically, mentally, and psychologically fit.

•Character: Must be of good character and have no criminal record.

•Financial Status: Must be free from financial embarrassment.

•Age Limits:

• General Duty: 18 to 25 years.
• Specialists: Up to 28 years. •Gender Clause: Female applicants must not be pregnant during training. •Physical Requirements (General Duty):
• Males: Minimum height of 1.67m and an expanded chest measurement of 86cm.
• Females: Minimum height of 1.64m.
  
  STEP 2: Confirm Your Qualifications

The recruitment is categorized into two cadres, each with distinct educational requirements:

•General Duty (Police Constables) Minimum of five credits in GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO or equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings. | 18 – 25 years |

•Specialists (e.g., Drivers, Artisans, Medics) Minimum of four credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings. Must also have at least three years of relevant experience and a Trade Test Certificate. | 18 – 28 years |

“Specialist Roles” Include: Medical Assistants, Drivers, Mechanics, Auto-Electricians, Dispatch Riders, Forensic Assistants, Dog Handlers (K9), Horse Riders (Mounted Troop), Deckhands, Divers, Engineers, Boat Mechanics (Marine), Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, AC/Refrigeration Tech (Artisans), Tailors, Communication & IT Technicians, and Band Section Specialists.

STEP 3: Prepare Your Documents

All applicants must have soft (scanned) copies of the following documents ready for upload:
• First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)
•SSCE/NECO result or equivalent
• Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
• LGA/State of Origin Certificate
• Specialists must also include: Relevant Trade Test Certificates and a Driver’s Licence (for driver roles).

STEP 4: Apply Online

•Visit the official portal: https://npfapplication.psc.gov.ng

• Ensure you have your National Identification Number (NIN), a functional email address, and an active phone number.

•Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account, complete the application form, and upload all required documents.

STEP 5: Know the Next Stage

Once the portal closes, shortlisted candidates will be notified to proceed to the next phases of the selection process:
•Physical and Medical Examinations
•Aptitude Tests
• Background Verification

What Happens Next, Warnings and Expectations

The massive intake is part of a broader plan to recruit more than 94000 personnel into the nation’s security architecture, including paramilitary and military services. While the announcement has been widely welcomed, it has also drawn strong caution from security experts and civil society groups

Brig Gen Peter Aro (retd) and several other experts warned that numbers alone will not solve existing problems in the Nigeria Police Force.

They stressed the need for rigorous vetting to ensure that only capable disciplined, and professionally suited individuals are recruited, rather than people brought in through political connections or with questionable backgrounds. According to them this is crucial to avoid multiplying the challenges the Force is already dealing with.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Zone, Adebanjo Ebhoade, echoed the same concerns. They insisted that the recruitment must be based purely on merit and kept completely free from political interference to guarantee that the nation attracts the most competent hands required to combat worsening insecurity.

The recruitment exercise has also reignited the national debate on state policing. Governor Mutfwang, along with Ondo Attorney General Kayode Ajulo SAN, argued that establishing state police backed by well designed legislative frameworks has become a necessary step for effective and localized crime fighting especially as security threats become increasingly complex across different regions.

Applicants are strongly advised to beware of fraudsters and refrain from making any payments, as the entire recruitment process is FREE OF CHARGE.

For official inquiries applicants can visit the PSC social media platforms or FAQ page or contact the dedicated helplines: 09060483893, 09135006008, 09135006009.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa.

He is facing an eight-count charge.

Ngige, who previously served as governor of Anambra State, arrived at the court around 8:10 a.m. in the company of EFCC officials.

In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, he is named as the sole defendant.

The charge sheet, dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a legal team led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), alleges that Ngige committed the offences during his tenure as Minister of Labour under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Count one states that between September 2015 and May 2023, while overseeing the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), he used his position to grant undue advantage to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as his associate.

He is accused of approving seven NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts for the company worth ₦366,470,920.68 (Three Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Naira and Sixty Eight Kobo).

Count two alleges that he again abused his position as supervising Minister of NSITF by favouring Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is also said to be his associate.

He is accused of awarding eight NSITF supply, training, and consultancy contracts to this company valued at ₦583,682,686.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Naira).

Count three claims that he used his office to benefit Jeff & Xris Limited, linked to MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, by approving eight consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦362,043,163.16 (Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Three Naira and Sixteen Kobo).

Count four alleges that he extended similar advantage to Olde English Consolidated Limited, associated with MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa.

He is accused of approving four NSITF consultancy, training, and construction contracts for the company totalling ₦668,138,141.00 (Six Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, One Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty One Naira).

Count five states that he also favoured Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, linked to Uzoma Igbonwa, by awarding four NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts valued at ₦161,604,625.00 (One Hundred and Sixty One Million, Six Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira).

These alleged offences fall under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Count six alleges that he corruptly received ₦38,650,000 (Thirty Eight Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) through his “organisation called Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation,” from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), an NSITF contractor, while carrying out his official duties as Minister of Labour and Employment.

Count seven accuses him of corruptly accepting ₦55,003,000 (Fifty Five Million, Three Thousand Naira) through his “organisation called ‘Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme’” from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), another NSITF contractor, during his time in office.

Count eight alleges that he received ₦26,130,000 (Twenty Six Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) through the “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme,” from Jeff & Xris Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011533930), also an NSITF contractor, while performing his official duties.

These offences are said to violate Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and are punishable under Section 179(c) of the same Act.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on Thursday sealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric after the company allegedly failed to comply with regulatory directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The enforcement took place at the Alausa office in Lagos, where FCCPC officials, accompanied by security personnel, ordered staff out of the building and locked up the premises.

FCCPC Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Bola Adeyinka, explained that the action followed months of reminders and repeated engagements with Ikeja Electric.

Adeyinka noted that NERC had earlier issued a binding decision directing the electricity distribution company to unbundle a Maximum Demand customer account into twenty separate residential accounts.

The order recognised nineteen flats and a service point as individual customer units and required appropriate metering and connection.

According to the FCCPC, the failure to implement this directive left the complainant without electricity for more than two and a half years despite paying all required charges.
Adeyinka stressed that the prolonged outage prevented the property owner from putting the residential units to use.

The commission issued a directive in April outlining steps for compliance and later followed up with a Compliance Notice in October that gave the company seven business days to act.

With no action taken, the FCCPC moved to seal the headquarters, describing the enforcement as a proportionate measure. The seal will remain until Ikeja Electric provides written evidence of full compliance.

Ikeja Electric confirmed the development and acknowledged that the dispute arose from a compliance issue raised by the FCCPC.

The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, explained that Ikeja Electric had responded to the commission with concerns about the technical and operational implications of the directive.

Okotie added that the company submitted its reservations in writing, yet the commission proceeded with enforcement. He noted that the FCCPC is legally empowered to act and the company had no option but to allow the officials to carry out their work.

Documents provided by the company showed that its compliance response, dated October 14, stated that the property in question remained a single consolidated structure rather than a residential block with nineteen flats.

The company explained that the NERC Forum ruling instructed it to unbundle the existing account and provide twenty prepaid meters. However, its technical assessment found that the premises had not been partitioned into separate units and lacked the internal low-voltage network required to support twenty individual meters.

Ikeja Electric maintained that implementing the order in the current state of the property could pose safety risks and insisted its position was based on technical realities rather than disobedience.

Despite the seal, Okotie assured customers that electricity distribution across the network continued without interruption. He noted that the company began coordinating operations through its district centres to ensure the closure of the headquarters did not affect supply.

He described the commission’s approach as avoidable and explained that the issue could have been resolved quietly. Okotie added that Ikeja Electric is engaging the FCCPC in hopes of reaching a quick resolution, noting that a prolonged closure could create challenges for operational coordination.

He stressed that the company remains committed to keeping power flowing, especially at a time when customers rely heavily on stable electricity.

The FCCPC stated that the next step depends on Ikeja Electric’s willingness to comply fully with NERC’s directive. For now, the company’s headquarters remains sealed while discussions continue.

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian military personnel who were detained after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made what authorities in Ouagadougou described as an unauthorised emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second-largest city.

The two crew members and nine passengers were cleared to return to Nigeria, though it remains uncertain whether the aircraft itself has been released. Their return followed two days of intense diplomatic exchanges between the governments of both countries.

The Association of Sahel States, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, said the aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without prior authorisation and labelled the incident an unfriendly act. Burkina Faso’s state news agency later reported that initial findings showed the plane had no clearance to overfly its territory.

Nigerian officials maintain that the diversion was solely a safety precaution. The Air Force explained that the C-130, which departed Lagos on 8 December 2025 for a ferry mission to Portugal, developed a technical issue shortly after take-off and diverted to the nearest suitable airfield in line with aviation safety standards. Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame confirmed that an investigation is underway and said Burkinabe authorities treated the personnel respectfully during the incident.

The episode came just a day after Nigerian airstrikes targeted a military camp in neighbouring Benin, where soldiers linked to an attempted coup were believed to be hiding. According to Nigerian government officials, the strikes were conducted at the request of Beninese authorities and in line with ECOWAS protocols after the coup plotters seized the national broadcaster and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray warned that recent events underscored rising instability in the region, calling for deeper reflection on the future of democracy and stronger investment in security cooperation.

In Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), urged the armed forces to maintain constant readiness in the face of emerging threats. Speaking at a decoration ceremony for newly promoted senior army officers, he praised the military for its rapid intervention during the attempted coup in Benin, saying their swift response played a role in preventing the takeover. He stressed that modern security challenges demand closer collaboration among all branches of the military, adding that no service can operate effectively in isolation.

The Nigerian Air Force has indicated that plans to resume the Portugal-bound mission will proceed once outstanding issues surrounding the aircraft’s diversion are resolved.

Lagos State has approved the release and sentence review of 91 convicted inmates in honour of the 2025 UN Human Rights Day.

The decision was made under the state government’s constitutional power to grant clemency.

The beneficiaries are inmates who have already completed more than 70 per cent of their jail terms.

Out of the total number, 80 inmates have been cleared for immediate release.

The announcement was made by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), during a press briefing held on Wednesday by the Ministry of Justice and the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights.

He noted that the directorate, which handles a wide range of human rights-related issues, successfully resolved 1,200 cases within the past year.

He explained that when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, Lagos State identified the need to rebuild public trust and restore citizens’ confidence in institutions responsible for protecting human rights.
“It was against this backdrop that the Directorate of Citizens Rights was created,” he said.

According to him, “It was a deliberate democratic intervention by the then governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Senator Bola Tinubu, now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, designed to empower citizens with the knowledge of their rights, provide an accessible mechanism for redress, and ensure that abuses associated with military rule never again become part of our civil reality.”

He added that the directorate became a vital component of the state’s justice system. What began with five foundational units — the Citizens Mediation Unit, the Public Defender Unit, the Human Rights Unit, the Consumer Rights Protection Unit, and the Justice Now Information Unit — has grown into a network of fully established agencies.

Continuing his remarks, he said the directorate received about 1,950 petitions over the past year, resolved 1,200 of them through mediation, while the remaining cases are still under investigation or in court.

He stated that the directorate is currently managing around 50 fundamental rights cases across the Federal and State High Courts, covering issues such as alleged police misconduct, unlawful detention, property disputes, and denial of parental access.

While highlighting the directorate’s expanded role in safeguarding human rights and protecting the dignity of every resident, he urged Lagosians to respect the rights of others and obey the law. He assured that the directorate and the wider justice sector will continue to champion fairness, equality, accountability, and equal access to justice.

He also noted that “The Bureau of Public Defender continues to provide free legal representation to indigent residents, including survivors of domestic violence, victims of rape and sexual offenses, children in conflict with the law, and individuals unlawfully detained.”