By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has condemned alleged plans by some individuals to violently overthrow Nigeria’s democratic government, warning that anyone involved would face the full weight of the law.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Force Commanding Officers and Unit Commanders to mark his first 100 days in office, Aneke described the reported plot as “shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible.”

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s loyalty to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.

He urged commanders to maintain unity, cohesion and discipline within the ranks and to check all forms of indiscipline and unlawful activity.

Aneke also linked Nigeria’s security challenges to rising instability in the Sahel, noting that coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger had weakened regional cooperation and created openings for jihadist groups.

He acknowledged modest improvements in security but said major threats remained, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, and farmer-herder conflicts.

He also expressed concern over the reported expansion of Islamic State’s West Africa Province into Kwara State.

The Air Chief urged personnel to remain professional and politically neutral as the country approaches another election cycle, stressing that the Air Force must support civil authorities without partisanship.

By Ade Iyamoye 

Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow over the latest wave of deadly attacks in Nigeria, which he said has resulted in heavy loss of lives across several communities.

The Pope made the appeal on Sunday after the Angelus prayer, where he also called for prayers for the country and urged Nigerian authorities to act decisively to protect citizens.

“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life,” the Pope said. “I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism.”

He added that he hoped “the competent Authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”

Reports said at least 160 people were killed on February 3 in Woro village in Nigeria’s central-west region.

In Kaduna State, security sources also reported a fresh round of attacks over the past three days, during which six people were killed and at least 51 abducted in four villages in the southern part of the state.

The attacks reportedly affected a predominantly Christian area where more than 180 people were abducted in January, before being released in recent days.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that armed men abducted 11 persons, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Church, Karku, in Kajuru Local Government Area.

The archdiocese said the attack occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday at the priest’s residence and also led to the death of three persons.

The Pope’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, including attacks linked to jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and raids by armed gangs.

In response, the Federal Government has deployed an army battalion to the Kaiama district on the orders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV also prayed for victims of human trafficking and for those affected by floods and landslides in parts of Spain, Morocco, Portugal and Sicily.

By Ade Iyamoye 

The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of markets and motor parks in parts of Kogi West Senatorial District as security forces intensify operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

The directive was announced on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who said the move was aimed at disrupting criminal logistics by cutting off access to food, fuel and other supplies used by insurgents and their collaborators.

Fanwo said the shutdown was supporting ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and security agencies in the state.

“This action is designed to restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements and their informants the logistical support they rely on during security operations,” he said.

According to the state government, the closure affects selected communities in seven local government areas. In Lokoja LGA, markets and parks in Oshokoshoko, Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee and Budon were shut.

In Kabba-Bunu LGA, the directive covers Ike Bunu, Aba Marian (Isado), Ofere, Abaa Dola (Ihale Bunu), Aiyede, Oke Offin, Aiyegunle Bunu, Okebukun, Odo Ape Bunu, Agbadu Bunu and Agbede Apa Bunu.

Communities affected in Yagba West include Okoloke, Isanlu Esa, Okunran, Ogbe, Ejiba, Odo Eri, Igbaruku, Iyamerin, Ogga, Omi, Odo Ara and Oke Ere, while Yagba East covers Irunda Ile, Iyeh Ilotin, Gada, Odogbe and Ilafin.

In Kogi LGA, the shutdown applies to the rice market at Adingere, Koton Karfe, Okpareke and Girinya, as well as the okro market at Opanda and the perishable market at Edeha.

Markets and motor parks in Mopamuro LGA, Otafun Amuro, Oroke Amuro, Takete Ide Amuro, Okeagi, Illai, Ilemo and Ijagbe are also affected, along with markets in Ijumu LGA, including Ayegunle Gbedde, Iyah Gbedde, Ayetoro Gbedde, Ayeh Gbedde, Iluhagba, Odokoro and Okoro.

The state government said the measure is temporary and will be lifted immediately after the security operations are concluded.