Divers and rescue workers have intensified efforts to recover the flight recorder and the remains of victims one week after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, Ondo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The ATR-42 aircraft crashed on October 5 in Ilaje Local Government Area, killing all 25 people on board.

According to Premium Times, recovery teams have retrieved aircraft fragments and human remains from the crash site. However, identifying the victims has proved difficult because of the condition of the recovered remains.

During a visit to the site on Monday, the newspaper observed that rescuers were still searching the muddy waters for the aircraft’s black box. The report added that the team might have identified the precise location where the aircraft went down.

A swamp buggy operator participating in the recovery operation disclosed that rescuers had retrieved part of a body believed to belong to the pilot from a section of the wreckage near a tyre.

The operator, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the force of the crash had shattered the aircraft into pieces, making the recovery of intact bodies unlikely.

He said, “We found the body of the pilot, but it was cut in the middle and half of it is what was brought out.

“Apart from that, there have been little pieces of the plane here and there. We have little hope of finding anything like the main body because the impact shattered the plane to pieces.

“The place is deep, and much of it is muddy. We are now focused on finding the black box. That is the directive we have, and after we find it, I would not know what next will happen.”

Meanwhile, technicians were seen at the riverbank assembling flotation equipment for swamp buggies, also known as amphibious excavators, to assist the ongoing recovery efforts.

One of the technicians explained that the attachments would enable the machines to stay afloat and move more effectively through the challenging swamp terrain.

“Today, we attached the floaters of a swamp buggy which was taken to the site for work. Once we are done with this one (pointing to the one under construction), the same thing will be done,” he said.

Lawyers representing individuals accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu have accused the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of preventing them from having confidential consultations with their clients.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The lawyers, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olalekan Ojo, reportedly refused to proceed with interviews on Monday after the agency allegedly assigned an official to remain with them and listen to their conversations.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, one of the lawyers said the legal team was surprised to discover that they would not be allowed to meet their clients privately when they arrived at the DIA facility.

“When we, including the learned Silk, Olalekan Ojo SAN, arrived at the DIA today (Monday) to interview our clients, to our surprise, we were not availed privacy with our clients, as a DIA staff was attached as a companion to listen to our conversations,” the lawyer said.

According to the counsel, the lawyers present jointly objected to the arrangement and agreed not to proceed with the interviews unless the agency’s personnel left the consultation area.

“This nauseating arrangement was contested, and all the counsel present agreed that we would not proceed with the interview until the companions are removed,” the lawyer stated.

The legal team said it communicated its concerns to the DIA coordinator, but the official reportedly insisted that agency personnel must be present during the consultations.

Following the disagreement, the lawyers resolved to maintain their position that discussions with their clients should take place without third-party interference.

“We are strongly advised that we should all follow suit and insist that no other person should be present while we conduct interviews with our clients,” the lawyer said.

The team further disclosed that Ojo advised the lawyers to document the incident and formally notify the court while awaiting a resolution.

“The learned Silk has also advised that all lawyers present there should report this ugly incident to the court in writing while we wait for a resolution,” the lawyer added.

Background Of The Alleged Coup Case

According to SaharaReporters, the alleged coup plot became public after the military arrested serving and retired officers in late September 2025.

The Defence Headquarters initially linked the arrests to disciplinary issues before later acknowledging that an investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow the government was underway.

Subsequently, a General Court Martial was established to handle the military proceedings, while prosecutors brought separate charges against six alleged conspirators before the Federal High Court.

The defendants involved in the civilian proceedings have denied the allegations against them. Some have also challenged the admissibility of statements and other evidence presented by the prosecution.

Investigators allege that the purported plot involved plans to take over strategic government and military installations and gain control of key communication facilities.

The military proceedings are being held at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to mobilise members of his Rainbow Coalition Movement to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, alongside National Assembly candidates in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike made the pledge on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, where he called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collaborate towards achieving their shared political objectives.

The meeting was attended by the PDP National Chairman, state chairmen of both parties, chairmen of the six FCT area councils, National Assembly candidates, former federal lawmakers and community representatives.

The FCT minister attributed the APC’s victory in the recent Edo State governorship election to an alliance between the party and what he described as the legacy PDP.

Addressing the gathering, Wike said the meeting was organised to strategise ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that members of both parties would work together to secure their preferred candidates.

“This meeting I called has to do with the 2027 general election. Whether you are in the PDP or APC, we are going to work together to achieve the same result.

“In the last election that took place in Edo State, the victory was as a result of the coalition between the legacy PDP and APC. We are going to work together to return President Tinubu and APC candidates for the National Assembly,” he said.

Wike also emphasised the importance of decisive leadership in achieving the coalition’s political goals, noting that effective leadership requires the ability to make firm decisions.

“Effective leadership encompasses decision-making capacity. It is not merely about correctness but rather the capability to make decisive choices; that constitutes authentic leadership,” he added.

The minister said he would oversee the coalition’s political operations and expressed confidence that the group would secure electoral victories.

“I have called you here to tell you that we shall be engaged in supporting President Tinubu’s administration.

“I hold the position of field operations officer, and under my leadership, success is assured. You will observe a marked transformation in the manner in which political operations are conducted,” he stated.

While Wike initially spoke about supporting APC candidates for the National Assembly, he later clarified that the coalition would also work for candidates from both the APC and PDP.

“Our collective endeavour will focus on securing President Tinubu’s re-election and supporting candidates for the National Assembly.

“We are committed to working on behalf of the President, encompassing candidates from both the PDP and APC,” he said.

Wike further maintained that members of the coalition had reached a consensus on supporting Tinubu for another term in office.

“There is consensus and harmony among us. We have collectively determined that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our chosen candidate,” he declared.