By Sabiu Abdullahi

A chartered aircraft arranged by Iran left southern India late on Friday carrying sailors and the bodies of crew members killed in a recent U.S. attack at sea, according to two sources familiar with the development.

The aircraft had earlier departed from Sri Lanka with the remains of Iranian sailors who died after a U.S. submarine struck an Iranian warship off the Sri Lankan coast last week. An Indian official with direct knowledge of the situation said the plane transported the bodies of 84 sailors.

The flight later landed in Kochi in southern India. It then departed with sailors from another Iranian vessel that had docked in India. The aircraft also carried several Iranian tourists who had been stranded in the country, the official said.

An Iranian source confirmed that the plane departed from Kochi. The source declined to reveal the destination or provide further details due to security concerns.

The Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank on March 4 after a torpedo fired from a U.S. submarine struck it. The vessel was returning from a naval exercise in India when the incident occurred. The attack took place during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Two other Iranian naval vessels that took part in the exercise sought shelter in nearby countries. The IRIS Lavan docked in India. The IRIS Booshehr sailed to Sri Lanka.

A Sri Lankan court ordered authorities earlier this week to hand over the bodies of the sailors killed in the attack to Iran’s embassy. The remains had been kept at a morgue in the National Hospital in Galle, a southern port city.

Thirty-two survivors from the sunken vessel remain in Sri Lanka. Another 208 crew members from the IRIS Booshehr are also in the country.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said it has maintained communication with the Iranian embassy in Colombo regarding the situation of the crew. Iranian authorities in Tehran are also involved in consultations.

The developments come amid rising tension in the region. The war involving Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. About 40 percent of India’s crude oil imports pass through the strategic waterway.

Iran confirmed on Friday that Indian ships would be allowed to transit the strait safely. The announcement brought relief to New Delhi after days of uncertainty caused by Iranian attacks on vessels in the area.

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, reaffirmed the decision while speaking to reporters.

“Because we believe that Iran and India are friends,” he said. “We have common interests and a common fate. I, as the ambassador for Iran in India, I say to you that the government of India .. after the war, will help us in different fields.”

India has continued discussions with Iranian officials to ensure safe passage for ships flying the Indian flag or carrying cargo to the country. Several vessels have already passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. Officials in New Delhi see the development as an important step toward stabilising energy supplies.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

China has announced a $200,000 humanitarian donation to support the families of students killed in a missile strike on a school in Iran earlier in the war, according to reports by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In a statement on Friday, China’s foreign ministry said the Chinese Red Cross Society will channel the funds through the Iranian Red Crescent Society to assist the parents of the victims.

Beijing described the incident as an “indiscriminate” missile strike carried out by the United States that resulted in the deaths of several students. The donation, officials said, will serve as emergency humanitarian assistance intended for “condolences and compensations” to the bereaved families.

China also reiterated its call for the protection of civilians, particularly children, during armed conflicts.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Presidential Petroleum Reform & Value Optimisation Taskforce, tasking it with designing the next phase of structural reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The time-bound, high-level working group is chaired by Mr. Fola Adeola, a co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and founder of the Fate Foundation. The President has tasked the committee with producing execution-ready blueprints aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms, unlocking capital, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a premier global energy investment destination.

The Taskforce includes a diverse group of members: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Osagie Okunbor, Abubakar Suleiman, Adaeze Aguele, Farouk Gumel, Phillipa Osakwe-Okoye, and Seyi Bella. Mofoluwasho Fadayomi will serve as secretary.

Operating as a technical reform body rather than a representative committee, the group is expected to engage industry operators, regulators, investors, and civil society as consultees while focusing on actionable policy design.

The Taskforce has been given a clear mandate to deliver three major reform blueprints within six months. According to a State House press release, the deliverables include:

1. Immediate Structural Fixes: An implementation toolkit featuring draft legislative amendments, executive instruments, and institutional restructuring proposals.
2. Capital & Liquidity Acceleration Blueprint: A strategy aimed at unlocking between $5–$10 billion in sectoral liquidity while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereign interests.
3. National Energy Transformation Strategy: A ten-year roadmap with measurable targets for production, foreign exchange earnings, GDP contribution, and cost competitiveness.

The Taskforce will report directly to the President, providing monthly progress memoranda. An interim report is expected in three months, with final outputs due within six months of its inauguration.

To ensure coordination and avoid duplication, President Tinubu has directed all existing committees, teams, and working groups established under various reform initiatives within the sector to align their activities with the new Taskforce.

Furthermore, all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to provide full technical support and share institutional knowledge with the group. The Taskforce is designed to be a temporary body and will automatically dissolve upon submission and acceptance of its final report.

The Presidency stated that the creation of the Taskforce represents a strategic instrument to accelerate reforms, strengthen governance, and position Nigeria’s petroleum resources as a foundation for sustainable economic transformation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shi’ites, held a demonstration on Friday at the National Mosque in Abuja to show support for Iran.

The protesters first joined other worshippers for the routine Friday prayers at the mosque. Shortly after the prayers ended, they began their demonstration within the mosque premises.

Witnesses said the group started chanting “Allahu Akbar” as they assembled in large numbers. The gathering quickly grew to about 200 participants.

During the protest, the demonstrators voiced strong criticism of the United States and Israel. They also declared their support for Iran. The crowd chanted “shame to America”, “shame to Israel”, and “we support Iran”.

Similar demonstrations were also reported in other parts of the country. Members of the group organised protests at Idimota Central Mosque in Lagos. Others took to the streets in Kaduna and Bauchi.

The protests come at a time of rising tension in the Middle East following a recent escalation in the conflict involving Iran.

Last week, Shi’ite supporters organised demonstrations in several Nigerian states after the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Reports said he was killed during recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Protests took place in Lagos, Kano, Niger state, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kaduna. Demonstrators condemned the joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel. The strikes reportedly led to the death of Khamenei and some members of his family.

Authorities also recorded similar protests in Bauchi and Yobe states.

Many of the protesters waved Iranian flags and carried portraits of Khamenei. Some also displayed placards that criticised the United States and Israel while expressing solidarity with Iran.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 1 for the fresh arraignment of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud.

Justice Peter Lifu scheduled the new date after Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, failed to appear in court to take their plea on Friday.

The former governor and his sons are expected to be re-arraigned on charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which alleges that they were involved in fraudulent contract awards used to siphon public funds.

Counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi (SAN), apologised for their absence, explaining that they had received notice of the trial on Thursday evening. He told the court that Lamido and his sons reside in Kano and could not travel to Abuja at short notice.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Chile Okoroma (SAN), expressed surprise at the defendants’ absence, insisting that they had been duly served with the hearing notice.

Okoroma also informed the court that the EFCC had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that the initial trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who has since been transferred to Calabar, be returned to Abuja to continue hearing the case.

Justice Lifu described the EFCC’s request as an administrative matter to be decided by the Chief Judge, before adjourning the case to April 1 for the defendants’ arraignment.

The EFCC had filed a 27-count charge against Lamido, his two sons, and several companies in 2015, accusing them of laundering about N1.35 billion allegedly diverted from Jigawa State through a complex money-laundering scheme.

By: Malam Khalid Imam

The appointment of Hajiya Bilkisu Maimaita, undoubtedly one of the finest Kano female technocrats, as the Acting Head of Service, by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, on 10th March, 2026, is both historic and a strategic move in the right direction.

The esteemed Hajiya Bilkisu Maimaita, who hails from Yakasai Quarters in Kano Municipal LGA, is a true doyenne of public service, an astute policy maker, a seasoned public administrator, and a well-trained personnel who has been in active public service for over three decades, and now serving as the Permanent Secretary.

She is quite famed as a respected, tested, and trusted administrator. Maimaita is well known as one of the reliable wheels moving the vehicle of seamless public service sector, having served in different capacities over the decades. Her new appointment as the Acting Head of Service by His Excellency, Governor Yusuf, is indeed a strategic move to entrust the daunting task of ensuring the continuous function of the heart of Kano’s public service to the right hands.

Her trademarks in the service are trust, resilience, assiduity, capability, and reliability. Before her new role as the female Acting Head of Service, she has been serving as the Permanent Secretary, Administration and General Services (AGS) in the Cabinet Office.

No doubt, Hajiya Bilkisu Maimota’s appointment is a confirmation to her unwavering commitment to duty, unmatched experience and exemplary service. Sure, her wealth of experience and proven track record make her an ideal fit for this role.

In another light, Maimota’s appointment is a bold testament to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to empowering more Kano professional women and recognizing their invaluable contributions to Kano State’s development. And without emphasizing, this shows that the governor values the impact of women in leadership positions and is willing to give them the platform to shine as he dedicates energy in pursuing the realization of his government’s Kano First Agenda.

A big kudos to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for this right move, which, without denying, is an astounding milestone, showcasing the government’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity and gender equality. Counting on her fabulous experience, Bilkisu Maimota’s leadership in this new role will undoubtedly inspire more women to take on key roles in the state.

Once more, kudos to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for this strategic move of entrusting in Maimota this task as well as opening windows to Kano professional women to serve their state with distinction. Indeed, Hajiya Bilkisu Maimota’s leadership is sure to propel Kano State’s public service to greater heights.

At this juncture, on behalf of the Yakasai Community, where she hails, I wish her Allah’s continued guidance and success in the service of our dear state. Wishing our Acting Head of Service sound health and prosperity in all her personal endeavours.
Congratulations to our very own reverential Hajiya Bilkisu Maimota, a true doyenne of Kano public service.

Khalid Imam is a Kano-based bilingual writer, educator and a Deputy Director at the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Science and Technical Schools Board, Kano, who also serves as the President of Kano Literary Space. He can be reached via: 07075403774 or khalidimam2002@gmail.com

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Air Force has confirmed the loss of a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft during operations over western Iraq, though it stated the incident was not the result of hostile action.

In a statement late Thursday, the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) said one of its KC-135 aircraft went down during what it described as Operation Epic Fury. The operation involved two aircraft.

“One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” CENTCOM stated.



The military emphasized that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and added that rescue efforts for the crew were ongoing.

“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the statement read. “More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.”



However, Shia armed groups operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft. In a statement posted on Telegram, the group said its fighters targeted the U.S. refueling plane while defending Iraqi airspace.

> “Protecting our country and its airspace, supporters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq downed the KC-135 plane of the U.S. Air Force,” the statement said.



The group did not specify the weapon used but claimed it deployed “suitable weapons”. It also asserted responsibility for a second attack on another U.S. aircraft, which, according to the statement, successfully landed.

> “Protecting our country and its airspace, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked another KC-135 plane, but its crew managed to escape and land the aircraft at an airfield of the enemy,” the group said.



The U.S. military has not confirmed these claims. CENTCOM has also not released further details regarding the crew aboard the downed plane or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a vital refueling aircraft that allows U.S. combat and support planes to operate at extended ranges. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as Iran-aligned militias and U.S. forces have exchanged threats and attacks in recent weeks.

Security analysts noted that conflicting accounts of the incident highlight the increasing volatility of the region’s airspace. Shia militias in Iraq have previously targeted U.S. bases and military assets, citing the goal of ending the American military presence in the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A United States military refueling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq, the US Central Command confirmed on Thursday, saying the incident involved another aircraft but was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

In a statement, the command said rescue operations were underway after the KC-135 refueling aircraft went down during a mission. It added that the second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.

“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury,” the statement said, referring to the military operation name for the US campaign against Iran.

A US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the second aircraft was also a KC-135. The official added that up to six service members were on board the aircraft that crashed.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed armed groups, claimed responsibility for bringing down the aircraft.

In a statement, the group said it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft “in defense of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.

The KC-135 tanker aircraft was produced by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s. It has remained a key part of the US military’s aerial refueling fleet. The aircraft allows combat planes to continue missions without the need to land for fuel.

The latest incident comes as fighting continues between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, seven American troops have been killed.

Reuters reported earlier this week that up to 150 US troops have been wounded in the conflict.

On the same day as the crash, two US sailors were also injured after a fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald Ford. Officials said the fire was not related to combat.

Overall, the war has claimed more than 2,000 lives so far, including nearly 700 people in Lebanon.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Some commercial ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Gulf waters have begun identifying themselves as linked to China in an apparent effort to avoid attacks since the start of the Iran war.

Marine traffic data shows that several vessels in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman altered their destination signals to short messages such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW”. The Associated Press reviewed the data from the ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic.

At least eight vessels adopted the practice. Some of them later continued their journey through the strait toward their destinations. Others remained within the surrounding waters.

Security analysts say the move appears intended to lower the chances of being targeted. Ana Subasic, a trade risk analyst at data and analytics firm Kpler, which owns MarineTraffic, explained the reason behind the signals.

“The main goal of vessels publicly identifying themselves as ‘Chinese’ while transiting the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz is primarily to reduce the risk of being attacked rather than to facilitate passage through the strait itself,” she said.

According to analysts, Iran and groups allied with it have generally avoided striking vessels connected to China. Observers attribute this to Beijing’s relatively neutral position and its strong economic ties with Tehran.

Kun Cao, client director at consulting firm Reddal, said the message carried by such signals is clear. “The message is more like ‘do not mistake me for the kind of ship you said you would hit,’” he said.

Attacks on ships in the Gulf and surrounding waters have raised alarm among global shipping companies. Reports indicate that at least 19 commercial vessels in the region have sustained damage since the conflict began.

MarineTraffic data also shows that most of the ships using the China identification messages do not sail under the Chinese flag. Several of them are registered in countries such as Panama and the Marshall Islands.

Cao explained that the nationality of a ship’s flag often does not reflect the origin of its owner in international shipping.

Experts say the effectiveness of the tactic remains uncertain. Rico Luman, a senior economist at Dutch bank ING who specialises in transport and logistics, said many cargo ships have strong business links with China through ownership, operations or cargo.

Destination signals are short messages that ship crews manually enter into their vessel’s tracking system. The information is broadcast publicly and usually indicates the ship’s next port.

Subasic said the messages help improve navigation safety and allow ports to prepare for arriving vessels. However, the information is not always verified immediately.

Because of that, she said, “some vessels occasionally use it to display additional information or signals, such as references to ownership or nationality.”

A similar tactic appeared earlier during attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group in the Red Sea. At that time, some ships also declared links to China in an attempt to reduce the risk of being targeted.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has warned members of the State Executive Council against acts of disloyalty and the leaking of government information.

The governor issued the warning on Thursday during the 38th State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Kano.

Governor Yusuf disclosed that some commissioners had resigned following recent political realignments within the state.

He said five commissioners had already stepped down from their positions and that he had accepted their resignations.

“I just want to inform members of the council that, following the political alignments, some commissioners have decided to resign,” the governor said.

“Of the total number, five of them have resigned, and I accepted their resignation. I therefore also wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

The governor also urged the remaining members of the council to reaffirm their commitment to the administration and the ideals of their political party.

“To those that have decided to remain with us and align with the principles and philosophies of our party, I want to appeal to you to rededicate yourselves to the service of the present administration,” he said.

He stressed the need for unity among members of the government, noting that collective effort was necessary to deliver on the administration’s mandate to the people.

“I want you to know that we are still one party and we have to work together for the betterment of our people,” Yusuf added.

The governor further warned that the era of internal divisions, disloyalty and information leaks within the administration must come to an end.

“The era of rancour, the era of disloyalty, the era of leakage of information, and the era of coming in between one another is over,” he said.

He urged council members to remain focused and committed to their responsibilities, warning that anyone who goes against the principles of the administration would be removed.

“However, that does not mean that whoever goes contrary to the dictates and the principles of this administration will not be voted out,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the state Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, was absent from the meeting.

Gwarzo has reportedly declined to join the All Progressives Congress alongside the governor and has also not resigned from his position.