News
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.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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