Author name: NBMA

The Nigerian aviation sector has experienced a surge in dramatic incidents, including K-I’s shameful display and Ms Comfort’s confrontation with Akwa Ibom’s cabin crew and airport security. In an effort to ease the escalating tension, Festus Keyamo, the Aviation Minister, issued a press release outlining the final decision: DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS 1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent. 2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space. 3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability. 5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached: THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON (a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct. (b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week. (c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently. THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1) (d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. (e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police. (f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA. AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions. 7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus. FINAL COMMENTS 8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved. 9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies. FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) Wednesday, August 13, 2025 78 Views

After months of fleeing abroad to evade arrest, the founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele (alias Abbas Ajakaiye) has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria. Prophet Adefolusho was arrested at his church located in Okun Ajah, Ogombo road, Lekki area of Lagos on Sunday 3rd August 2025 by NDLEA officers who waited for him since morning to conclude the Sunday worship service in the evening before moving in on him the moment he stepped out of the church premises. The arrest came after he had evaded arrest twice and fled to Ghana to hide since June when operatives started trailing him following the seizure of two shipments of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis linked to him. The first seizure of 200kg of the psychoactive substance was made at Okun Ajah beach on 4th June 2025 while another consignment of 700kg of the same substance was recovered from his delivery van on 6th July 2025. In his statement, he admitted ferrying the illicit consignments through the waterways from Ghana into Nigeria, adding that he had fled to the West African country to hide after he escaped arrest twice in the recent past. 121 Views

Former President Buhari passed away today in London at approximately 4:30 pm, following a prolonged illness. President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs. Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow, and offered his sincerest condolences. President Tinubu has also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to escort the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria. Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President, in 2015 and 2019. He also served as military head of state from January 1984 to August 1985. President Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader. 147 Views

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a benchmark of 150 as the cut-off mark for admission into universities in the country. This resolution was passed on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. Furthermore, the cut-off marks for colleges of nursing, colleges of agriculture, and colleges of education have been set at 140, 100, and 100 respectively. “The minimum admissible scores for admissions for the next academic session have been fixed at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, 100 for colleges of education, and 140 for colleges of nursing sciences by the stakeholders (Heads of Tertiary Institutions),” JAMB announced on its X handle. 130 Views

As part of its rehabilitation efforts, the Nigerian Correctional Service has facilitated the participation of over 25 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Warri, Delta State, in the ongoing NECO examination. The two-week exam, which started on Wednesday, covers subjects such as English Language and Government. The Centre’s Officer-in-Charge, DCC Richard Egbede, expressed confidence in the inmates’ preparedness, highlighting the importance of education in their transformation. He noted that this initiative positions them for potential further education with the National Open University of Nigeria. Representatives from NECO and external invigilators praised the centre’s orderliness and serenity during the examination process. 124 Views

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an ex-international football player, Segun George Hunkarin, along with his businessman partner, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, over an attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. Chinedu, a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport on Tuesday, 24th June 2025. A search of his carry-on bag revealed 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grams were concealed therein. Investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria. Further checks revealed that an accomplice, who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport car park to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin, who had spent years in Brazil playing for football clubs, was promptly tracked and arrested at the car park. In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but had never brought any to Nigeria. 163 Views

Pastor Adefarasin, who reported to the Lagos State Police Command yesterday regarding a viral video in which he was seen holding a gun-like object against another road user, was interrogated and provided a cautionary statement to the police investigators. The gun-like object from the viral video, recovered from him, was found to be a stun gun, prohibited anti-riot equipment, rather than a lethal weapon or firearm. Pastor Adefarasin has been granted bail as the investigation into the matter continues. 171 Views

Following the emergence of a video online that appears to show PastorAdefarasin holding a gun-like object against another road user while driving an unregistered vehicle, the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the pastor has turned himself in and is currently undergoing questioning by detectives at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja. The police have stated that the outcome of the investigation will be made public via their X page. 172 Views

The federal government has introduced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in technical colleges across the country. Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), disclosed this information in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. According to Bugaje, “This stipend will enhance the attractiveness of technical colleges, enabling young people to acquire skills qualifications and secure employment opportunities both locally and internationally. “This initiative marks a significant turning point for the sector, which has experienced decline since the 1980s. Historically, TVET was prominent during colonial days and early independence, with 129 technical colleges existing at that time, compared to the current number and 15,000 senior secondary schools nationwide. The N45,000 stipend is a grant and not a loan, meaning that recipients will not be required to repay it. The ultimate goal is to increase enrollment in technical education.” 192 Views