Television Nigerian

According to information released by the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) Seme border command, the federal government received N1,500,029,233.88 in revenue in September 2025.
During the period under review, the Command also revealed that it enabled the export of products valued at N7,969,376,198.78.

According to Comptroller A.O. Adenuga, the command’s Customs Area Controller (CAC), who made this announcement at a press briefing in Lagos, the command also stopped and seized five trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour that came from Egypt and had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,210,300,000. In a joint operation with NAFDAC, 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) were intercepted through actionable intelligence, he added.
The Customs chief also said that 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50 kg each, 150 bales of old textiles, 169 bottles of DSP cough syrup with codeine, and five used cars were among the other things confiscated.
He merely provided N1,999,093,429.00 as the amount.

“I extend a hearty welcome to everyone attending the inaugural press briefing of the Seme Area Command,” stated Comptroller Adenuga. The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his distinguished management team have graciously placed their trust in me, and I am truly honored to take on the leadership of this Command. I formally assumed this role on September 8, 2025. This is a significant chance for me to give an overview of my leadership and to discuss the progress we have made as a team over this brief but exciting time. With the help of the Comptroller General of Customs’ vision and reform-oriented mentality, as well as the commitment and professionalism of this Command’s officers and men, we have made impressive progress in carrying out our primary missions.

In keeping with the CGC’s strategic vision, which is based on the policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation, he stated that upon taking office, he made trade facilitation the defining feature of his administration. He did this because he believed that facilitating trade would streamline procedures, lower costs, and increase revenue.

Under the direction of the CGC’s dedication to modernization and transparency, the Seme Area Command has stepped up its efforts to streamline processes, improve interagency coordination, and guarantee that lawful traders take full advantage of regional integration and customs modernization along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
According to Compt. Adenuga, the command generated a total of One Billion, Five Hundred Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira, and Eighty-Eight Kobo (N1,500,029,233.88) in September 2025 under the renewed vigor inspired by the CGC’s leadership. This is in contrast to the five hundred and thirty-one million, four hundred and sixty-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-two Naira, and forty-five kobo N531,462,332.45 only collected in August 2025.

This exceptional performance demonstrates the success of the CGC’s reform plan, which is based on compliance, openness, and data-driven goods monitoring, as well as the commitment of the officers and men who still uphold his goal of a contemporary, functional, and accountable Customs Service.
The Comptroller stated that the Command facilitated the export of fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine point four six (53,989.46) metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of seven billion, nine hundred and sixty-nine million, three hundred and seventy-six thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight thousand naira, and seventy-eight kobo (N7,969,376,198.78). This was in accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy through non-oil exports and in direct compliance with the CGC’s directive to promote legitimate export trade.

Agricultural produce and manufactured goods were among the exports that showed the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). He pointed out that the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee was N39,868,354.42 (N39,868,354.42).
Under the direction of the CGC’s zero-tolerance policy on smuggling, Seme Command is steadfast in its resolve to combat smuggling and safeguard economic stability, public health, and national security, Adenuga stated.

Through reliable intelligence and effective interagency cooperation, our agents made important seizures during the reviewed period. In particular, five (5) trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,210,300,000.00 (N1,210,300,000.00) only were intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC.

The dangers of eating such spoiled goods might have resulted in serious illnesses, food poisoning, and chronic health issues.

Such unhealthy products damage local businesses and destroy consumer confidence in addition to having negative health effects.
Actionable intelligence led to the interception of 1,104 packages of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana. One cannot stress how detrimental these chemicals are to our children’s social and psychological development.
On October 7, 2025, two (2) suspects were turned over to the NDLEA, Seme command for additional investigation after our agents confiscated 120 packs of 120 mg tramadol.

Additional confiscated commodities include: 150 bales of used clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine, 5, used cars, and 2,043 bags of imported parboiled rice (50 kg each).
He said that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures was N1,999,093,429.00, or one billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million, ninety-three thousand, 429.00 Naira.

The CGC’s operational theory that smuggling is an economic sabotage that deprives the country of essential revenue and jeopardizes public welfare is reinforced by these findings. We have made it plain along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor that any financial resources diverted into smuggling would be a huge waste; instead, they should be directed on legal ventures that might empower thousands of SMEs and provide employment.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy (NN), deserve special recognition for their assistance in the battle against smuggling in this corridor. We greatly appreciate the NN FOB Badagry’s several handovers of foreign parboiled rice that was captured and confiscated on the waterways and their environs, demonstrating our cooperation in the battle against smuggling.

In keeping with the CGC’s focus on stakeholder participation, the command organized two significant stakeholder interactions on October 6–7, 2025. During the first meeting, which included traditional leaders, heads of security agencies, and important players along the Seme–Krake corridor, comprehensive resolutions were achieved to address extortion, numerous roadblocks, and other trade barriers.

The elimination of pointless checks and the smooth flow of lawful people and products without jeopardizing national security were pledged by all agencies. Our Benin Republic customs counterparts, businesspeople, and authorized customs officers from both sides of the border participated in the second engagement. This joint forum, which reflected the CGC’s regional integration objective, sought to further fortify the Lagos–Abidjan economic corridor and coordinate border operations.

Under the visionary leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Seme Area Command is steadfast in maintaining a balance between the three pillars of national security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation.

“We’ll keep using technology, stakeholder cooperation, and proactive intelligence to improve our operational efficiency. Making ensuring the Seme-Krake border continues to be a doorway to prosperity rather than crime is our shared goal.

“We are constructing a smarter, safer, and more lucrative border corridor in complete accordance with the CGC’s modernization vision, working hand in hand with our partners and stakeholders.

“I want to sincerely thank the entire management team and Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for their steadfast support, inspirational leadership, and priceless mentoring.

For their ongoing cooperation, I also want to express my gratitude to the Military, the NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON, and other pertinent security agencies. For their outstanding collaboration and participation, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the traditional chiefs and community leaders, as well as the good citizens of Badagry Local Government.

“I also commend our steadfast partners in progress, the diligent members of the press.”

Our success as a team is still fueled by the dedication, hard work, and quality of our esteemed stakeholders and, most importantly, the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command. All of you are greatly valued. Our commitment to serving with honor and distinction is strengthened by your unwavering dedication, which continues to inspire this Command’s accomplishments,” Comptroller Adenuga exclaimed.

In the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah serves as the bishop. Speaking on the 65th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, he discusses how the military invasion has been the country’s biggest setback in this interview that was shown on Arise TV. Among other topics, the clergy discuss poverty and illiteracy in Northern Nigeria. The following are extracts from Joy Anibogu:

When the British gave up their claim to Nigeria 65 years ago, a new era began. Do you recall it as a period of optimism, self-assurance, and faith in this nation?

Looking back, I can say that I was innocent for years. I was maybe five or six years old, but I can’t remember. Let me tell you what I do recall, though. My first encounter with a white person was with a clergyman. I had seen a priest for the second time in my life. Therefore, when our headmaster told us about these awful white people who had colonized and conquered our land, we had no idea what he was talking about. Because I hadn’t seen any other evil white people, I was unable to imagine. We were given small cups as part of the celebration, but what I remember most is that I received my first cup that I could call my own at the October 1st celebration. As a child, I was unable to square the cycle. Back to where we are now, though, every time I play the recording of Tafawa-Balewa’s life and listen to his lectures, I can’t help but cry. He was an amazing human being. This was a man whom Washington praised. Time Magazine named him man of the year for being the first African head of state, pointing out the direction that the rest of the world viewed Nigeria heading. The first military coup ended tragically with a suicidal mission. And that, in my opinion, is where the crime was committed both then and now. That’s where we lost our innocence, if you’re wondering what’s wrong with Nigeria and why we ended up where we are.

In the midst of all that optimism in the 1960s, before the coup and all of the rest, was it not clear to anyone who looked that Nigeria’s diverse population of ethnic groups, religious beliefs, and geographic divisions meant that anyone attempting to govern the country would only succeed if they could successfully manage that diversity?

That is a great point, in my opinion. However, to be fair, the equipment was already in place. When I was younger, I recall that our only goal was to observe the Sardauna’s appearance. Additionally, people in my small community were displaying us other things on these displays. We were blessed with everything good. After that, we had a bureaucracy that was genuinely unaware of a number of issues that are now haunting us, including religion, ethnicity, the hegemons, and so on. As a result, we had everything. People ask us why we aren’t like Singapore when they talk about Nigeria. Why don’t we resemble Japan? In actuality, we had the potential to surpass Singapore. Compared to Malaysia, we could have performed better. Since we already had a bureaucracy, we might have literally been better off and nobody would have been against us if the military hadn’t attacked. Yes, Lee Kuan Yew performed a very good job, but that is not the reason Singapore is the way it is. It’s that inherited bureaucracy, though. It also intensified the devastation of society and the bureaucracy. Ethnic consciences and identities then started to appear. Furthermore, I can attest that the majority of northerners in their 70s and 80s still find it difficult to accept the ruthless murder of the Sardauna and Tafawa-Balewa. It is unfortunate that our nation dislikes facing the facts. As Africans, we frequently say to forgive and forget. Even if the handle is outside, we bury the hatchet. In my opinion, up until now, we haven’t had the time, integrity, or sincerity to sit down at the table and ask, “Look, what went wrong?” This is the reason why our founding fathers’ dreams have turned into nightmares for us. And suddenly we found ourselves in a predicament where the hiring process had collapsed, whether it was for the bureaucracy or the public life. Therefore, I believe we can explain why we are in this position now.

You discuss the North’s suffering from the killings of the Sardauna and Tafawa-Balewa. But haven’t all sides paid a heavy price in blood?

Yes, but you see, there is elite conspiracy and hypocrisy, believing that Nigeria has simply devolved into a carcass and that everyone just brings long knives to the table. The chunks that they are returning to their villages also pique people’s curiosity. As a result, our feeling of national identity is now essentially invisible. Whenever I talk about this, I do so with the utmost respect for the military and the people who have led this nation. However, it isn’t about good or terrible warriors. It is that the military should never have been involved in politics in the first place. The soldiers themselves were beaten, according to book after book. This is now quite evident when people ask why we are not like Malaysia. Why don’t we resemble India? I inform them that not a single military coup has occurred in any of the Asian nations they listed. None of them, and once all of this was implemented, keep in mind that the military itself degenerated into a dysfunctional organization plagued by ethnic maggots. Now, people started planning coups based on things other than national objectives, such as collective interests. And two things always happen whenever we take a step in that direction. As a priest, I will tell you that, from a moral standpoint, there can be neither good nor bad rape. A good rape cannot exist. An armed robber is no different from you if you pulled a gun, shot someone, and then took control.

It has now been 65 years. The events that took place have already occurred. What, in light of all you’ve said, influences your perception of this nation today?

Mythology, not fact, is what nation-building is all about. America is a myth now. As you can see, however, Nigeria has lacked the aptitude and capability to dream. For instance, I’ve always advised people to close their eyes and consider whether they had ever heard a Nigerian president’s speech that left them feeling awed, following the 1960 speech. Or sometimes a speech, such as that of JFK in 1963, is so unforgettable that you have to question yourself, “What was I doing?” That raises another question: what is the philosophical basis of governance? All of our scholars can articulately discuss this because of what the soldiers did and individuals like Wole Soyinka, who showed that they were scaffolding and prevented intellect from being a dominant force after they realized they couldn’t win the intellectual fight. Thus, as they stated, individuals were imparting knowledge for which they were not compensated. Alright, so once you ruled out intelligence, it meant that the whole question of imagination was irrelevant. People like Plato and Aristotle were important because they spent time reflecting, and every company, including Nikon, was considering their next move. Those who have ideals about what a nice hotel should look like might not be present. Therefore, R&D is always a crucial part, although those individuals are never seen. Many people now ask you, “Where do we start?” after you made the decision that you came to power in that manner. The middle class is not always assessed in Naira terms, even if many in Nigeria claim that it has collapsed. This is also what the middle class is about. Therefore, I think that a big part of the problem is the rejection of the intellectuals and their policy contributions. People in government are making an effort, but it’s as good as they can. And every now and then you come across someone, perhaps a professor, who is composing a speech for the state’s first lady. Because they don’t want to lose their employment, some professors find themselves in situations that are so restrictive that they are unable to be creative. Therefore, you cannot make a country grow if you do not have the kind of society that Plato described, where intellectuals, policymakers, and policy implementers are present.

What is the enduring inspiration of your life in Nigeria, considering all of the criticisms you have listed, as you evaluate this nation and look to the future, well aware that we have missed the boat that sailed in 1960, as you accurately analyzed?

Being a man of hope is something I am grateful for. God, in his boundless charity, made me a priest, I tell myself repeatedly. Since I would have been homeless by now, I most likely would have passed away. The amount of unfairness you can tolerate has a limit. Fortunately, I’m really fortunate. I work hard, yet I’m an ordinary student, I promise. Second—and possibly more significant than my schooling—is the fact that I received my education on the streets. I am incredibly fortunate. I shall be given access to the Obi of Onitsha’s palace. I shall be allowed to enter the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto. It was only the day before yesterday that we were together. I shall have access to the palace of the Emir of Kano. I will have access to the former president’s home. I therefore have that exceptional quality, which I do not take for granted. However, I am also well-founded since my experience as a priest has given me a great deal of empathy for the underprivileged. But I also see that there are good people in this country. Many excellent people, including those in positions of authority, permit bad things to occur, primarily due to the hiring process. Too many people nowadays end up in positions of authority without any kind of preparation.

There, you brought up the issue of the impoverished. Are you motivated by your outrage at the egregiously limited opportunities for success that people born in Nigeria currently face, or are you motivated by the recollection of the poverty you witness on a daily basis?

This nation is unique. I get asked, “I travel the world.” “Where do you get the courage to talk about this country that is gone to the dogs?” people ask me. “Dude,” I said, “you haven’t seen anything yet.” I have a great deal of pride in our nation. In addition, I am aware of the things that people have done with just their hands. I head east, all well. The west is where I go. This country has seen me travel all around it. What is absent? resembles a man with an amazing eleven-player ensemble. All right, but the coach won’t know who to start or who to bench at what moment. The intelligence that we possess in Nigeria has turned into a source of envy. You are therefore not supposed to discuss your first class, for instance.

Given what you observe, what do you think your role in this nation is? Is it to strive to persuade the government to better provide for such deprivation, remove obstacles to a respectable quality of living, or something else entirely?

I’ll just give you an example of what happened recently in Sokoto to answer your question. I escorted President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Sultan of Sokoto to the Catholic facilities in Sokoto. Also, we put 250 laptops in a hall into service. Since they tell me there are 10 million, 20 million, and 25 million Almajiris, and so on. In ten years, if they are ten, fifteen, or twenty years old, they will be thirty or forty. All counts begin with one. For me, it is sufficient if I am able to remove only one person from the line. Believe me, I encounter young folks when I travel. I’ve met them a few times. I recall being late for a flight in Sokoto. And I was only a few seconds, somehow. I realized then that I had left my phone behind. The pilot was strolling around the aircraft when I arrived, and he practically bent down to welcome me. “I see you look very worried,” he said. “No, I forgot my phone,” I replied. Where, he said? Let him carry your phone. I replied, “My driver is on his way, but it will take some time.” “No,” he responded, “but we’ll wait for you.” I felt really ashamed. The pilot said to me, you know, when I got inside the plane. The pilot turned to face me. “You wrote a letter and a recommendation that got me a job as a pilot more than ten years ago,” he added. You won’t recall me. To catch a jet, I’m walking to the same aircraft. The pilot emerges, kneels in front of me, and says, “I served at your altar when you were in Lagos.” To put it another way, I’ve never attempted to inflate what I believe other people think of me. Despite everything I’ve been writing, my biggest surprise was realizing that people were actually reading what I had to say. I’ve also made an effort to understand that although it’s crucial to be out there, beating the pavement, we also need to create a space for dialogue.

As a Catholic bishop, how do you believe the relationship between Islam and Christianity has changed since the 1960s?

One of my favorite anecdotes, which I frequently share, is about how I was in the lounge at the Abuja airport and had never met John Pepper Clark. It was my first encounter with him. When someone exclaimed, “That’s John Pepper Clark,” I stood up to say hello. Someone then introduces themselves as Bishop Kukah, the Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto. And just as I was ready to shake hands with John Pepper Clark, this stranger appeared out of nowhere. He caught me off guard. I just said, “He’s Agbada,” and he would literally separate our hands. “Stop calling him the Sokoto Catholic Bishop,” he urged. He is our Sokoto Bishop. He’s not the bishop of Catholicism. He is not exclusively for Catholics. You can get nostalgic about how badly things have gotten worse when you have those kinds of experiences.

In Sokoto, we officially declared that many of the ministers and those we are calling Almajiri now are Almajiri. If you’re from Northern Nigeria, you’re an Almajiri at some time. That you had a chance, only. I now firmly believe that one of these Almajiris is an Einstein. For that kid, I have to make an opportunity. Of course, I am aware of what is likely to occur. Some merchants would tell you, “Ah, Bishop Kukah built this, so it’s only for Christians,” because their children are elsewhere. You become a Christian if you visit. We still haven’t, you know, and this tribe is expanding. As it stands, there are 25 million of these uneducated youngsters who will eventually have children of their own. As you are aware, in Northern Nigeria, you can be anywhere between 10 and 40 children. This nation is not growing at the moment. Take a look at the Bureau of Statistics’ multidimensional analysis of poverty. Only for the previous month. Zamfara has an 85 percent rate, whereas Sokoto has 90 percent. There is no other explanation for why the entire region that borders the country’s far north, where Muslims predominate, has turned into a crime scene today; it is tainted with areas of poverty, neglect, and desperation. I’m not a state, but I also don’t want the state to do everything, so I’m simply saying that if we can all bring something small to the table, that’s good. And the biggest problem facing Northern Nigeria and all the governors is: Could you kindly open the doors and then see how we can work together?

Before it considers the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Senate has given the executive branch of government two weeks to provide a thorough, written report on how the 2024 budget is being implemented, along with forecasts for the 2025 fiscal year.

Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, led President Bola Tinubu’s economic team in a meeting with the Senate Committee on Finance at the National Assembly in Abuja, where the directive was given.

The ultimatum was issued by Senator Sani Musa, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, who stated that the senate would not begin discussing the 2026–2028 MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) until it had a clear performance report on the current year’s budget.

Senator Musa said, “We must first understand the performance of the 2024 budget before moving forward with the MTEF.”

“Before we examine the 2026 MTEF, you have until October 23 to respond and submit a documented report.”

The Senate Calls for Fiscal Planning Transparency
Musa emphasized that in order for MPs to evaluate the fiscal estimates and economic assumptions included in the MTEF, they need precise performance statistics.

He emphasized that such an assessment was necessary for credible fiscal planning and clarified that the committee’s study will concentrate on revenue performance, expenditure trends, and project execution under the 2024 budget.

“Assumption-based estimates will not receive Senate approval. We need facts, data, and verifiable performance reports to establish accountability in public finance,” the senator added.

Finance Minister Wale Edun, who led talks on Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook and fiscal policy orientation ahead of the 2025 budget cycle, was among the important members of the President’s economic team in attendance.

The Senate’s stance highlights members’ mounting concerns about the 2024 budget’s implementation rate, namely with relation to debt service commitments, income shortages, and capital releases.

The government’s fiscal policy aims and spending caps for a three-year period are outlined in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which forms the basis of annual budgets.

The Federal Government must now submit a thorough and verifiable report outlining the extent to which the 2024 budget has been implemented by October 23 in order for the Senate to examine the next fiscal plan.

According to the Nigerian government, it is not giving up on developing policies to deter online fraudsters and foster confidence in online companies.

Among other countries, fraudulent actions have damaged Nigeria’s reputation, according to Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, or NITDA, who made this revelation.

The National Digital Trustmark is a Federal Government effort that aims to give Nigerian e-commerce and other online platforms a verifiable certification process or badge of confidence. The NITDA chief spoke at a press conference to introduce the concept.

The initiative would also block off criminal and fraudulent elements that harm and instill fear in online businesses, such as the actions of internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo boys, who have seriously harmed the nation’s reputation, according to Abdullahi. The initiative’s goal is to provide safety for online buying and selling.

Abdullahi claims that the program extends beyond domestic internet fraudsters since nations like China purchase Internet Protocol (IP) addresses from Nigeria and other African nations and use them to perpetrate crimes in their own nations that appear to be committed in Nigeria or Asia.

He said the government is dedicated to boosting consumer confidence, encouraging fair competition, and raising Nigerian companies to international standards through NITDA in collaboration with its partners, including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, or NACCIMA, and the German International Cooperation Agency.

“We’re working to establish trust by bringing the public and private sectors together to form partnerships and develop projects.

“Where international organizations and development partners can come and work with us to share best practices and also support what government and private sector are doing to build trust within the digital economy.” “What the private sector can do is tell the governments where there are challenges and suggest policies and regulations that can help to build trust within the ecosystem.”

Every business, e-commerce platform, government agency, and company will have a trust seal on their website to guarantee that they are legitimate and that people can quickly distinguish between cloned and genuine websites as part of the National Digital Trust Mark initiative, which aims to increase trust in our digital ecosystem.

Because of this trust mark, we should be able to tell which websites are genuine and which are clones, fakes, and so forth.

“When you direct and transact online, it will help to build confidence and trust that you are dealing with authentic website providers,” he stated.

Speaking further, Abdullahi emphasized the role that the media plays in redefining Nigeria’s image abroad.

He continued by saying, “Once we address these issues locally in Nigeria, it will also help us to rebrand our image internationally.”

He said that hearing foreigners call Nigerians scammers is hurtful.

Hearing that is quite upsetting. In addition, Nigeria has been ranked in the top five in the same category as the US, Russia, China, and Ukraine when it comes to cyber security, according to the Cybercrime Index.

It’s nice to fall into this category, so occasionally we say yes. How does that sound? Since their digitization is more advanced, it implies that there are additional obstacles associated with digitalization.

Occasionally, these unscrupulous actors are not even Nigerians. They observe that they may reach the IP of Nigeria. Foreigners were arrested in Nigeria for engaging in all of these yahoo. Chinese people are purchasing African and Nigerian IP addresses and utilizing them for criminal purposes. This is evident on the internet from African nations.

“There are a lot of complicated issues that we must examine and consider how we can work together to solve.”

In Dushanbe, Azerbaijan, President Vladimir Putin laid forth the causes of the 2024 Christmas Day jet disaster in Azerbaijan and acknowledged that Russia was to blame.

38 passengers were killed when Baku-based Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crashed close to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Five crew members and 67 citizens from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan were on board the Embraer 190.

Putin acknowledged that the competent authorities are almost finished with their investigation into the disaster, which was “caused by several factors,” during a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday.

The president said that throughout the night of the disaster, Russian forces had been monitoring three Ukrainian drones that had breached the federation’s border.

Two fired missiles failed to strike the aircraft directly, indicating “technical malfunctions in Russia’s air defense system” as the second culprit.

“The plane would have crashed right away if it had occurred. He said, “They exploded meters away.” The majority of the damage was probably caused by missile pieces rather than the warheads.

Putin claims that the black box captured the pilot’s perception of the incident as a collision with a flock of birds, which he reported to Russian air traffic authorities.

According to the Russian leader, the pilot was told to make an emergency landing in Makhachkala, as heard on the tapes, but he chose to head back to his home base before traveling to Kazakhstan.

Putin expressed regret to Azerbaijan once more and pledged Moscow will make every effort to ease tensions, including paying compensation and conducting a legal review of all responsible authorities’ conduct.

Recalling that the airliner went down when he was heading to a meeting in St Petersburg and had to turn back, President Aliyev responded by thanking his Russian colleague for managing this crisis.

Despite the tragedy, according to Aliyev, the two countries’ commercial and economic connections have improved dramatically in 2025, and all other aspects of their bilateral relations have also improved.

After accusing Moscow of concealing the accident’s specifics and denying any responsibility, the president of Azerbaijan declared in July that his country will sue Russia in international tribunals.

Political analysts and insiders in the state administration are uneasy about Taraba State’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, continuing functioning without a single appointed aide more than two years after taking office.

In contrast to Governor Agbu Kefas’s office, which is crammed with advisers, personal assistants, and media handlers, Alkali’s office is noticeably empty, without even a Chief Press Secretary—a crucial position for handling communications with the public and media.

The deputy governor’s capacity to carry out his duties has been “severely limited” by the lack of personnel, according to sources at Government House in Jalingo who spoke to the Daily Post.

“If the deputy governor had had the required aides, I think his current health condition could have been better managed,” a top official stated.

“The fact that he hasn’t even hired a press secretary to handle media affairs after more than two years in office is shocking.”

According to the source, the situation is “administratively abnormal,” and the governor should step in to bring order back to the deputy governor’s office.

Alhaji Alkali had previously presented a list of suggested assistants and received approval for their hiring, according to the findings; however, important administrative individuals are said to have halted the process.

Several sources claim that for undisclosed reasons, these political players have essentially blocked the hiring process by refusing to issue appointment letters.

Another government source stated, “This is not just a bureaucratic delay anymore; it’s becoming a matter of administrative efficiency and human dignity.”

In order for the deputy governor to formally name and collaborate with his staff, Governor Kefas must act quickly. It will lessen the strain on him and get his office back up and running again.

There have been rumors of internal power struggles inside the Taraba State Government due to the protracted staffing stalemate. Some have suggested that the scenario is a reflection of larger political tensions between the deputy’s supporters and the governor’s camp.

Opponents have called on Governor Agbu Kefas to take immediate action, claiming that the deputy governor is entitled to the institutional assistance required to carry out his constitutional responsibilities.

A former commissioner with knowledge of the problem stated, “The governor needs to take swift action to resolve this matter.”

“The position of deputy governor is an essential component of government, not a ceremonial addition.”

Neither the accusations nor the explanations for the ongoing hold-up in the deputy governor’s aide selection process had received an official reaction from the governor’s office as of the time of publication.