Federal Government Grounds Aircraft, Detains Crew Over Unauthorized Landing

The Federal Government has grounded a private aircraft and suspended its operator’s permit following a dramatic incident in which the aircraft made an emergency landing on a road under construction near Asaba, Delta State, and later departed without regulatory clearance. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the incident as a breach of aviation regulations and a matter of national security concern. The aircraft attempted to land at Asaba Airport at about 7:43 a.m. local time but was unable to access the runway before safely landing on an unfinished concrete road in the Ogwashi-Uku area. Keyamo confirmed that the crew members were taken into custody and are cooperating with investigators.

Security Challenges Persist Amid School Attacks and Abductions

Kogi School Invasion: In a disturbing incident, bandits invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons including the Vice Principal and a six-year-old child. The attack has reignited concerns over the safety of educational institutions across the country.

Zamfara Peace Meeting Turns Deadly: Reports emerged that dozens of villagers were abducted after attending what was intended to be a peace meeting with bandits in Zamfara State, further underscoring the security challenges facing northwestern Nigeria. The gathering was reportedly organized to discuss reconciliation efforts, but armed men allegedly seized participants and later demanded ransom for their release.

Yobe Police Raid: Meanwhile, the Yobe State Police Command arrested three suspected hoodlums and recovered dangerous weapons during a raid on criminal hideouts in Damaturu, the state capital.

Nationwide Insecurity and Planned Protest: A coalition of civil society organizations, including prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), musician and activist Falz, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, and several other groups, has declared June 12—Nigeria’s Democracy Day—a day of nationwide protest against worsening insecurity, widespread hunger, and deepening economic hardship. The coalition accused the Federal Government of failing to address security and economic challenges, pointing to persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers across Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states.

Military Rescues Hundreds in Borno

The Nigerian military recorded a major success in its ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the northeast, rescuing 416 individuals who had been held captive by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The operation reportedly took place in the Mandara Mountains, an area long associated with insurgent activity. Many of those rescued were women and children. Authorities disclosed that two infants died due to exhaustion during the difficult rescue process. Additionally, eleven more kidnapped women regained their freedom following separate operations.

Dangote Refinery Grapples with Production Challenges

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced operations at its gasoline-producing unit by about 34 percent since May 21 due to feedstock constraints and technical issues, according to an industry monitor report. The refinery’s Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, a key component in gasoline production, experienced difficulties linked to the type of crude being processed and later a flue gas slide gate valve issue. However, the reduced output has not impacted fuel availability or pricing in the domestic market. The refinery is expected to return to full production by the middle of June.

In a related development, Aliko Dangote is seeking to raise as much as $1 billion through a private debt sale for the refinery, as the facility reached full capacity shortly before the US-Israel conflict with Iran rattled global energy markets. Demand has surged as buyers across Africa scramble for alternative fuel supplies.

Trade Balance Improves as Economy Shows Mixed Signals

Nigeria recorded a substantial improvement in its external trade position during the first quarter of 2026, with the country’s trade surplus almost doubling compared to the same period last year, according to newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Meanwhile, the Naira appreciated to N1,400 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,410 per dollar on Tuesday, reflecting continued convergence in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) extended its three-day rally as market capitalisation increased by N99 billion to N157.04 trillion.

Senate Orders Kyari’s Arrest Over N210 Trillion Discrepancy

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for failing to appear before it over an alleged N210 trillion discrepancy in the company’s accounts between 2017 and 2023. A former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL has denied that any money was missing from the company.

Political Developments: Six-Year Tenure Debate and Power Rotation

Discussions across the country have been energized by renewed debate over a proposal for a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors. Supporters argue that eliminating the need for re-election campaigns would allow elected officials to focus entirely on governance, while critics contend that any constitutional amendment of this magnitude would require extensive consultation and national consensus.

Separately, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar played a role in the political consensus that led to the adoption of Nigeria’s rotational presidency arrangement following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election.

Nigerians in South Africa: First Batch of Returnees Arrive

The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions arrived safely in Lagos on Thursday. The returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 10:15 a.m. aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the evacuation exercise. The evacuation was coordinated following reports of fresh attacks and threats against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, was expected to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government.

Other Headlines

• The Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the cybercrime case against 24 foreigners arraigned by the police.
• The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) issued certificates of return to its presidential candidate, Donald Duke, and others who triumphed at the party’s recent primaries.
• The House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill seeking to establish state police as part of constitutional amendment efforts to address rising insecurity.
• A fire outbreak at the Senate wing of the National Assembly was swiftly contained on Wednesday after smoke filled Hearing Room 107.