CAS Engages Home Unit of Ill-fated Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 Aircraft, Reaffirms Support for Personnel/Families

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 8 October 2026, visited 107 Air Maritime Group (AMG), NAF Base Benin-City, the home unit of the ill-fated Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, where he met with personnel and reassured families of those affected by the recent accident of the Service’s continued support during this difficult period.
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Addressing personnel of the unit, the CAS expressed profound condolences over the loss of their colleagues, describing the deceased as dedicated patriots who served the nation with honour and commitment. He stated, “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of our fallen colleagues.

They made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation, and we will not forget them or the contributions they made to the Nigerian Air Force.” He further assured the families that the NAF would continue to stand by them, providing the necessary emotional, administrative and institutional support.

Air Marshal Aneke also acknowledged the provision of scholarship awards for the children of the deceased personnel, noting that the welfare of the families remained a priority. He stated, “We will continue to do everything within our capacity to support the families and ensure that the children of our fallen comrades are not left without support. Their welfare is our responsibility, and we will remain committed to it.”

Speaking on the recovery and strengthening of 107 AMG, the CAS assured personnel that the Service would take necessary measures to enhance welfare, sustain training and facilitate the availability of operational platforms. According to him, “We will support this unit to quickly regain its strength. That support will include welfare, training and the availability of the platforms required for you to continue performing your duties effectively. We expect you to remain focused, professional and resilient.”

Responding, the Commander, 107 AMG, Air Commodore Onu, appreciated the CAS for visiting the unit at such a difficult time and for the reassurance and support provided to personnel and the families of the fallen. He stated, “Sir, your presence here has strengthened the morale of our personnel. We appreciate your leadership, concern and commitment to the welfare of our people.

We remain resolute and committed to our responsibilities, despite the challenges we are currently facing.” He further assured the CAS that personnel of the unit would remain dedicated to duty and continue to uphold the traditions and professional standards of the NAF.

The CAS commended the personnel of 107 AMG for their professionalism, resilience and unwavering dedication in the face of adversity, urging them to remain steadfast as ongoing search, recovery and investigative efforts continue.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for their invaluable support in the search and recovery operations, noting that the collaboration underscores the importance of jointness and Inter-Service cooperation in responding to national challenges.

Nigerian Air Force

Reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to its personnel and their families, Air Marshal Aneke assured all those affected that the Service would continue to provide the necessary support while pursuing a thorough and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

9 October 2026
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IGP Disu Approves Posting of New Police Public Relations Officers to Commands, Formations

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has approved the posting of new Police Public Relations Officers and Public Relations Liaison Officers to selected Commands and Formations of the Nigeria Police Force, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic communication, improve public access to credible Police information and enhance engagement with the media and other stakeholders.
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Accordingly, SP Johnson A. Doghudje has been posted as Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 5, and can be reached on 08038773657; SP Ojedele Olanrewaju Tunji, anipr, has been posted to Zone 11, Osogbo, and can be reached on 09152481510.

Also, DSP Orchia Adndongu has been posted to the Benue State Police Command and can be reached on 07013495466; while DSP Imah Unwana Victor has been posted to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and can be reached on 08038281577.

Similarly, ASP Abdulaziz Maharazu has been posted to the Police Academy (POLAC) and can be reached on 07064684936; ASP Yusuf Adamu Aliyu has been posted to the Yobe State Police Command and can be reached on 08136394230; while ASP Haruna Rashid Umar Abdullahi has been posted as Public Relations Liaison Officer for the FCID Annex, Gombe State, and can be reached on 08130313033.

The IGP charged the officers to uphold professionalism, responsiveness and accuracy in the discharge of their duties, while ensuring timely dissemination of verified information and sustaining constructive engagement with members of the public and the media.

IGP Disu

Members of the press and the public are encouraged to contact the respective officers for verified information and enquiries concerning Police activities within their Areas of Responsibility.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening transparency, public communication and constructive engagement as essential components of effective and people-centred policing.

CSP ANI INIEDU, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
9th October 2026
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FG Announces Additional Measures: NNPC Sell Fuel at cost to Cushion the Impact of Global Crude Oil Price Shocks

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) agreed today to forgo its petrol retail profit margin and sell to Nigerians at cost to cushion the impact of global crude oil price shocks and volatility on vulnerable households.
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NNPC Retail, which already sells petrol at the lowest price in the market, will offer this new deal within the next 30 days. This means if NNPC’s landing cost is N1300, it will sell fuel to Nigerians, especially commercial vehicles, at the same price.

The company’s discount gesture, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was among the raft of measures the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced today.

Oyedele said he hoped other marketers would take a cue from the NNPC, as the sharp rise in crude and petrol prices is not expected to last long.

Oyedele was emphatic that NNPC agreeing to sell at a discount must not be misinterpreted as the restoration of petrol subsidy, which ended on May 29, 2023.

In addition, Oyedele announced forward sales of crude to domestic refineries. As production rises and previously committed crude is freed up, this is expected to shield pump prices from global market volatility.

Oyedele also said the Federal Government is negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 a litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol, to keep pump prices stable. Where costs rise above the ceiling, refiners and importers will carry the shortfall and recover it later, when crude prices or the exchange rate allow, without breaching the ceiling.

“This is neither a subsidy nor a price control: it is designed to smooth prices over time rather than suppressing them. The reasoning is simple. 1,400 naira a litre today and 1,400 tomorrow is better than 1,500 today and 1,300 tomorrow, because volatility itself adds to uncertainty and cost. And when fares rise sharply, they rarely fall as fast. The ceiling will be reviewed monthly, reset as costs require, and the figures published for transparency,” Oyedele said.

Oyedele also said that, under the 2025 tax reform laws, the Federal government, in collaboration with the states and security agencies, is reining in the collection of road taxes and levies that inflate fares and logistics costs.

The Federal government is also increasing funding for cash transfers to the most vulnerable households and subsidised credit for small businesses and consumers.

Other measures announced:

A faster CNG rollout:

The federal government is scaling up CNG deployment with the states. The government expects transporters to pass the savings on to passengers in lower fares. CNG is 60-70 per cent cheaper than petrol.

An excess profit tax:

This will be considered for operators who take undue advantage of consumers, anywhere along the energy value chain. The government said it will use proceeds from taxes on price gouging exclusively to cushion the impact of fuel prices through transport support or vouchers for urban minimum-wage earners, who are most vulnerable. The Federal Government will also work with the National Assembly to consider enhanced tax relief for low-income earners under the 2027 Finance Bill.

Less red tape: The Federal Government is cutting regulatory costs that feed into the cost of doing business and, indirectly, into higher prices of goods and services.

National Strategic Fuel Reserve:

To protect households and businesses from future energy shocks, the Federal Government is investing in a National Strategic Fuel Reserve. The government will release refined products into the market under clear, published rules whenever a global disruption or hoarding threatens supply and price stability. This is not a subsidy, and it does not fix prices; rather, it secures supply and reduces price volatility. It will prevent artificial scarcity, deter market manipulation, and anchor long-term energy security, so a deregulated market delivers stable growth rather than sudden price shocks.

Better traffic and logistics management:

Traffic management agencies will improve traffic flow, especially in major urban centres, to reduce fuel consumption. Also, NIPOST’s newly launched address codes will help make logistics more efficient and cheaper.

To be clear, none of these measures restores a blanket subsidy. Doing so would create longer-term harm for a short-term cure. Each measure is designed to reach the people who need help, without putting the wider economy at risk.

The Presidency acknowledged the challenges the people face over the high cost of fuel.

NNPC Ltd

“Removing the fuel subsidy came at a price. But the alternative has been tried. Nigeria has already lived through that cycle: scarcity, smuggling, a collapsing currency and a fiscal crisis. We cannot afford to live through it again, least of all in response to a temporary disruption, and at the very moment the results of reform are gathering pace.”

“Government is not out to reverse a necessary reform designed to set our country on the path towards sustained prosperity. It is to ensure its gains reach more Nigerians, faster and in more tangible ways. That is our work, and we are committed to doing it.

“The Federal Government is also working on a comprehensive package of fiscal measures to bring inflation down to single digits sustainably in the near term.”

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

October 8, 2026
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