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Miscreants Downed Our Fighter Jet!
By Tunji Adegboyega
It was as if Flt. Lt. Abayomi Dairo, the lucky pilot of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) who escaped death when his fighter jet was shot down by bandits in Zamfara State on July 18 knew what I was going through when he wondered aloud in his testimony whether it was appropriate to refer to people who shot down the Alpha jet as bandits.
I was in a meeting on Wednesday where we could not agree on whether there indeed was any dichotomy between bandits and terrorists. As a matter of fact, the debate raged on until the majority carried the day. That was after agreeing almost unanimously that bandits were the junior brothers of terrorists. In other words, that bandits were like pick pockets while terrorists were the armed robber version of them.
But Flt. Lt. Dairo helped me make up my mind on Thursday when I came across what was reported as his testimony in an online platform, Salone GIST. Although the pilot referred to those who shot down the jet as “bandits” several times in the testimony, the fact that he wondered aloud at all whether calling them bandits was not oversimplifying the issue, is sufficient.
I guess he continued to refer to them as bandits to be politically correct. I know he must have come across bandits several times to be able to know that those who had the capacity to bring down a fighter jet cannot pass for mere bandits.
“I will still share my testimonies but truly, God ordered my steps, the bandits (meanwhile they are ruthless like Boko Haram, I dunno why we still call them bandits) were more interested in capturing me than shooting me (even at point-blank range), eventually they got neither…”
I rejoice with Dairo and congratulate him for his lucky escape. As a Yoruba man, he knows he is Ayorunbo (someone who has literally been to heaven and returned).
Many of his colleagues have gone through similar circumstances like his; that he is alive to tell the story is what makes the difference. And, if as he claimed, the bandits who shot down his jet really wanted him captured alive, it is because they knew the benefits of such.
So, in a sense, Nigeria too is lucky that Dairo escaped only with injuries. If he had been captured, only God can tell whether he would not have told his captors more than they would have asked him. It is only in rare cases that captured soldiers do not sing like canaries.
Many others would take bullets with their buttocks! Only the Abubakar Shekaus of this world would rather commit suicide than be captured by the enemy. As they say, when someone spits on the floor and quickly rubs it off with his foot, it is because he knows what spittle could be used for (eni to tu’to si’le to fi ese pa’ re’ mo ohun ti won nfi ito se ni). Shekau knew he too was merciless with his war captives and so quickly put two plus two together to take his own life rather than be captured and tortured to sing by his captors.
But, beyond the celebration of Dairo’s lucky escape is a somewhat more fundamental issue that bothers on the mutual distrust and suspicion that have become the hallmarks of governance in Nigeria, especially in recent times.
Many of the people trying to make a distinction between banditry and terrorism on the downed jet are doing so not for the fun of it but to drive home a germane point, to wit; that the Federal Government would not want to refer to the people who brought down the military jet as terrorists because the government knows the consequences of such declaration.
They argue that if that had happened in the south, particularly the south east, truckloads of soldiers in battle gears would have been sent there to teach the people a lesson that what they had done was rascality taken too far. That they cannot dare the state with such audacity and expect a mere slap on the wrist.
Meanwhile, we seem to have heard the last of the matter because, as usual, time is expected to heal the wounds. The same way government has refused to keep to its promise of prosecuting some powerful Nigerians suspected to be financing the terror war. The same way we have not heard anything again on the owner of the helicopter that was alleged to be ferrying food and arms to terrorists.
We do not even seem to be in a hurry to find out how it is easy for combat jets that we procured with so much money to be brought down or to crash. Agreed, fighter jets can be brought down, but how frequently? When would enough be enough to make us set up inquiry as to why at least four of them had either crashed or brought down in a spate of seven months?
Meanwhile, who brought down the jet, bandits or terrorists? I think they must be miscreants, as an online commentator suggested. Bandits brought down a fighter jet that the NAF itself admitted “came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara.” This government has every reason to gag the press. They want us to call dog monkey even when we can clearly see it is a dog.
There is God o.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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