Odita Sunday 
WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2026
All 12 US B-1 Bombers Leave RAF Fairford Over Iranian Drone Threat
All 12 US B-1B Lancer bombers based at RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations in the United States, the Pentagon and US European Command confirmed after the departure on 4 October, saying the bombers can still conduct global strikes from the continental US. The move follows intelligence of a potential Iranian drone attack on the Gloucestershire base, which Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had earlier declared a “legitimate target”; six arrests were made a week earlier in connection with a suspected plot, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran was behind the threat.
The bombers had been at Fairford since early March under Operation Epic Fury, shortening flight times to Iranian targets, with about two dozen at the peak.
WORLD • MIDDLE EAST
Saudi-Backed Forces Retake Ground Near Bab al-Mandab; Gulf Defence Pact Activated
Yemeni government forces recaptured Mocha and Dhubab with Saudi coalition air support, reversing Houthi gains made in September. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have activated their August-signed defence agreement after Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, committing to rapid deployment.
Also trending: a researcher died at a Russian plague institute in Siberia, with about 200 contacts quarantined and the WHO calling the general public risk “low”; Brazil’s Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round with 47.03% to Lula’s 45.16% ahead of a 25 October runoff; and Seoul says North Korea planted mines inside the DMZ. A report also says security lapses preceded the flydubai cockpit attack, with background-check procedures now under review.
AFRICA
Abiy Begins Second Term as Tigray Violence Escalates
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has begun a second five-year term as violence escalates in Tigray and tensions with Eritrea worsen, raising fears of a return to the devastating 2020–2022 war. Elsewhere, Uganda’s President Museveni asked why an appeal in a death-row case “disappeared” from the justice system, and a US Supreme Court decision may allow deportation flights to Liberia to resume.
NIGERIA • NATIONAL TRAGEDY
25 Killed as Air Force ATR-42 Crashes Into Ondo Swamp; Tinubu Declares Three Days of Mourning.
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 (NAF 931) crashed on 5 October near the naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, killing all 25 people aboard, the NAF has confirmed: 20 passengers and five crew. The aircraft, on what the NAF called a routine Benin–Lagos mission, lost radio contact at about 9:13 am and came down in a swampy creek, hampering recovery; naval personnel and local fishermen joined the search. Early reports had put the number aboard at 32; the NAF’s published list names 25.
The crew comprised a flight captain, two co-pilots and two technicians. Passengers included personnel from Flight Lieutenant to Lance Corporal and five civilians. Among the dead was Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, a co-pilot, who married fellow Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle 16 days earlier on 19 September.
Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke called it “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country” and ordered a comprehensive investigation; no cause has been established. President Tinubu declared three days of national mourning with flags at half-mast and directed that findings help “prevent future occurrences.” Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa confirmed no survivors were found. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had earlier confirmed the wreckage was found.
NIGERIA • POLITICS
Voter Register Passes 103 Million; Court Backs Accord Candidate
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan announced that Nigeria’s voter register has passed 103 million after continuous registration, with 57,000 new biometric accreditation devices acquired for the 2027 elections. A Federal High Court also affirmed Dr Gbenga Oluwepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s 2027 presidential candidate following its 30 May primary.
President Tinubu returned to Abuja after six days in Lagos. Super Eagles, meanwhile, assembled 19 players in Russia for a friendly, with captain Wilfred Ndidi among those injured.
EXCHANGE RATE WATCH
Official window: ₦1,328–₦1,329 / US$1
Black market: about ₦1,390 / US$1 (gap ~₦61).
Reserves $52.66bn (19 Aug); naira up ~2.5% since mid-August.
ONDO CRASH FACTS
Aircraft: NAF ATR-42, tail NAF 931; Benin to Lagos.
Aboard: 25 (20 passengers, 5 crew); no survivors.
Three days
of national mourning; NAF probe ordered.
About the Author
