German authorities deported at least 137 Nigerian citizens across five chartered flights between February and June 2026, according to migration monitoring reports.

Data from the DERS Team and Refugees4refugees.org shows the deportations occurred in phases, with 27 Nigerians returned in February, 37 in March through a joint European Union operation, 24 in April, 23 in May, and 26 in June.

The February operation departed from Stuttgart and landed at Lagos Cargo Airport, with Baden-Württemberg listed as a primary participant. The March operation represented the largest single return of Nigerians recorded over three years and was executed in collaboration with Spain, Austria, and Belgium.

The reports indicate a growing reliance on multi-national chartered flights by European states to repatriate undocumented or non-resident individuals to Nigeria.

A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has disclosed the main reason he planned a coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

According to Premium Times, Ma’aji said worsening insecurity, corruption and economic hardship are among the grievances discussed by those allegedly involved in the failed coup.

Ma’aji stated that discussions about military intervention began in 2023, towards the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Things particularly got out of control towards the end of Buhari’s administration when corruption and nepotism became the order of the day,” he stated.

The Army Colonel expressed the belief that senior military authorities should have responded more forcefully to the deteriorating security situation, adding that the group subsequently began identifying officers who shared similar concerns.

“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country and genuine desire for positive change,” he wrote.

Ma’aji further disclosed that the alleged project was initially shelved because of inadequate funding, logistics and manpower, claiming that much of the early financing came from his personal resources.

He explained that one Army major contributed N1 million, while another officer allegedly provided dollars on several occasions.

The military officer revealed that the alleged coup plot was revived after Ma’aji failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in 2024, stressing that his failed promotion was not the principal reason for the alleged movement.

Ma’aji cited dissatisfaction with fuel subsidy removal, exchange-rate reforms, taxation, electricity tariffs, corruption and insecurity.

He also referred to the handling of protests such as #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance, claiming that many young Nigerians had become frustrated over unemployment and economic hardship.

Thirteen residents of the 176 persons abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack by armed bandits on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State remain missing, despite the release of most of the captives after about six months in captivity.

The National Chairman of Kaiama Department Association, KDA, Yakubu Salihu, disclosed this on Thursday, saying only 163 of the 176 women and children abducted during the attack regained their freedom on Wednesday, leaving 13 others still unaccounted for.

“One hundred and seventy-six people were taken away, but only 163 were released. That leaves 13 people still missing. Where are the others?” Salihu asked.

Woro community came under attack on February 3 when armed kidnappers reportedly killed over 100 people and abducted 176 residents, mostly women and children.

Salihu disclosed that some of the women gave birth while in captivity, describing the development as a painful reminder of the traumatic ordeal the victims endured over the past six months.

He said the freed victims are currently in Niger State and are expected to return to Kwara on or before Saturday, where they will receive medical care and be supported through rehabilitation and resettlement programmes.

The KDA chairman renewed his call on the Federal Government to expedite the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, saying the shortage of security personnel has left communities in the area vulnerable to recurring attacks.

“The Federal Government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations,” he added.

According to him, the few security personnel deployed to the area are overstretched and unable to respond effectively to emergencies.

“If the Federal Government can expedite the establishment of the military base, we are ready to provide every necessary support to ensure its smooth take-off.

” Once the battalion becomes operational, security response will be faster, and we believe it will go a long way in preventing similar attacks,” Salihu stated.

He stressed that a permanent military presence is critical to restoring residents’ confidence and safeguarding communities against future attacks.

Salihu also appealed to governments at all levels to rehabilitate the deplorable road network in Kaiama Local Government Area, noting that poor roads continue to hamper security operations and hinder socio-economic development in the area.