Enugu Air has secured regulatory approval to commence direct flights between Lagos and London Gatwick in December 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state-owned airline’s international expansion.

The airline also announced that bookings for the new route are now open, with intending passengers able to make reservations through its online booking portal.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the airline on Wednesday, describing the approval as a major step towards strengthening air connectivity between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The announcement comes barely six weeks after Enugu Air operated its maiden international flight to Douala, Cameroon, on September 23, 2026.

According to the statement, the Lagos–London Gatwick service will be operated in partnership with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA), which has been designated as the operating partner for the route.

The statement read: “Enugu Air has received approval for its Lagos–London Gatwick route, with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA) appointed as the designated operator under a strategic partnership.

“Bookings are now open, and flights will commence in December 2026.

“The approval marks a major milestone in Enugu Air’s expansion, strengthening connectivity between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and opening new opportunities for passengers and trade.

“This milestone reflects the bold vision and transformative leadership of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose strategic aviation agenda is positioning Enugu as an emerging gateway for international connectivity, investment, tourism and economic growth.”

Enugu Air was launched in July 2025 with an initial fleet of three Embraer aircraft comprising the E170 and E190 series, as part of the Mbah administration’s integrated blueprint for developing a modern, multimodal transport ecosystem.

The initiative is also designed to position Enugu as a major regional aviation hub in West and Central Africa.

Since its launch, the airline has expanded its fleet and route network, with the latest regulatory approval signalling a further push into international operations.

The proposed Lagos–London service is expected to expand travel options for passengers, strengthen business and trade connections, and improve air links between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

At least 98 police officers were killed in various incidents across 21 states between January and October 2026, according to data compiled by Daily Trust.

The figures, gathered from media reports and incidents confirmed by police authorities, show that the casualties resulted from attacks by bandits, gunmen and terrorists, as well as road accidents and shootings involving fellow police officers.

Yobe State recorded the highest number of casualties, with 17 officers killed, followed by Zamfara and Kebbi states, which recorded 14 deaths each.

Katsina recorded five deaths, while Borno and Taraba states recorded four each. Rivers, Sokoto, Plateau, Enugu, Lagos and Imo recorded three deaths each.

Oyo, Anambra, Abia, Kaduna and Kogi states recorded two deaths each, while Adamawa, Kano and Niger recorded one death each.

A breakdown of the figures showed that bandits were responsible for 35 deaths, gunmen accounted for 29, while Boko Haram terrorists killed 22 officers. Two officers were also killed by Lakurawa terrorists.

Other fatalities included three officers allegedly shot dead by fellow policemen, four killed in road incidents involving accidents and hit-and-run drivers, one killed by kidnappers, one by hoodlums and another by thugs.

Deadly Attacks in Kebbi, Yobe

One of the deadliest attacks occurred in Kebbi State, where 10 police officers were killed during a gun battle with bandits around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area on August 10.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, when operatives intercepted suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

The police said 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were destroyed.

In Yobe State, 17 police officers were reportedly killed during an attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi on May 16.

The officers were undergoing specialised operational training at the facility when militants launched a coordinated assault from multiple directions.

“The officers, who were undergoing specialised operational training at the institution, lost their lives when the militants launched a coordinated attack on the facility from multiple directions,” the then police spokesman, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said in a statement.

He added that several soldiers were also killed in the attack but did not disclose the number of military casualties.

Four Policemen Killed in Benue Attack

Benue State also recorded multiple attacks, including the killing of four police officers during a gun battle with armed men in Ayilamo community, Logo Local Government Area, on September 10.

The Benue State Police Command said the officers engaged the attackers and repelled the assault, forcing the gunmen to retreat into the surrounding forest.

“The operatives stood firm in defence of the community and successfully repelled the attack, forcing the criminal elements to retreat into the surrounding forest with heavy casualties in the early hours of 11th September 2026,” the command said in a statement.

The slain officers were identified as Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.

According to the police, their bodies were recovered from surrounding bushes during subsequent search-and-rescue operations.

Seven civilians were also killed in the attack. Their bodies were recovered and deposited in a mortuary, the command added.

Policemen Killed by Colleagues

Beyond attacks by criminal groups, the data also highlighted cases of police officers allegedly killing their colleagues.

In January, Inspector Sani Malumfashi was reportedly shot dead by a fellow police officer at Intels, Onne, in Rivers State.

Similarly, in October, Corporal Amos Yusuf allegedly shot and killed his colleague, Corporal Grace Onimisi, at their residence in Asco Camp, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, before taking his own life.

The incidents highlight the various security challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force, with officers losing their lives not only in confrontations with armed groups but also in road incidents and cases of violence involving fellow personnel.

The Federal Government is considering diverting heavy-duty vehicles and trucks to the Second Niger Bridge as part of measures to ease persistent traffic gridlock on the First Niger Bridge.

The Anambra State Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, saying the government might install barriers at both ends of the First Niger Bridge to prevent heavy-duty trucks from accessing it.

The development follows another weekend of severe traffic gridlock on the bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, with motorists and commuters reportedly stranded for several hours.

Second River Niger Bridge

The traffic congestion has persisted since the bridge was reopened on October 15, following its temporary closure on September 7, 2026.

The bridge was initially shut after the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during an on-the-spot inspection, discovered extensive structural vandalism, including missing bolts, severed steel components and damaged expansion-joint steelwork.

Following its reopening, new road demarcations and concrete median barriers were installed, effectively narrowing the available lanes.

However, motorists have complained that the new arrangements have created difficulties for vehicles, particularly heavy-duty trucks and trailers, which frequently break down or become trapped within the narrowed lanes, obstructing traffic.

They said the situation becomes particularly challenging whenever a vehicle develops a mechanical fault, as the limited space makes it difficult for other motorists to manoeuvre around it.

The resulting blockages have reportedly left commuters stranded for hours, triggering widespread complaints and criticism of the newly installed concrete dividers.

Speaking on the recurring gridlock, Emenike said the proposed diversion of heavy-duty vehicles to the Second Niger Bridge would free up space on the First Niger Bridge and improve traffic flow.

He, however, urged motorists, particularly truck drivers, to ensure that vehicles developing mechanical faults were moved to positions where they would not obstruct other road users.

He said: “The gridlock on the First Niger Bridge is noted, and the ministry is exploring a lot of measures to ensure ease of traffic, especially as we approach the Yuletide season. This gridlock can be prevented if motorists are intentional.

“A vehicle does not just develop a problem on the road; before a problem occurs, it does not just stop the vehicle automatically. If a vehicle is in motion and a problem happens, at least the driver can narrowly clear the vehicle properly to allow other vehicles to move without blocking them. But our people don’t clear off the road whenever they notice a fault on their vehicle while driving.

“Those road demarcations were done to ensure ease of movement, and before we did them, we tested and ensured that two vehicles could pass at a time. The problem is that some drivers park intentionally and obstruct others’ movement whenever their vehicle breaks down.

“We know that a heavy-duty truck and a small vehicle can pass on one lane of the First Niger Bridge at the same time. But two heavy-duty vehicles cannot pass at the same time on the bridge.

“That is why the ministry is considering diverting the heavy-duty trucks to the Second Niger Bridge, which is wide enough to accommodate them.

“So, for now, we are carrying out a lot of measures, and one of the things we are considering is to divert heavy-duty trucks to the Second Niger Bridge, which is wide enough to accommodate as many vehicles as possible.

“The Second Niger Bridge is wide enough to accommodate all of them, but we don’t know why that place is underutilised.”

Meanwhile, motorists and drivers have expressed divergent opinions over the new demarcations, with some blaming the concrete barriers for worsening traffic congestion.

A driver, who identified himself as Emeka, said the new arrangement had made it difficult for motorists to navigate around vehicles that break down on the bridge.

“Since the installation of the concrete demarcations, whenever a car, bus or truck breaks down or stalls, it completely blocks that single lane, triggering severe traffic standstills.

“As it is, a single lane cannot accommodate two vehicles at a time, and that is where the problem lies. Whenever a vehicle, especially a heavy-duty vehicle, breaks down, other vehicles are left stranded as no other vehicle can pass through.

“The ministry promised to provide towing vans at both ends of the bridge for the easy removal of broken-down vehicles, but till date, that has not been done. Each time a vehicle breaks down, other vehicles are left stranded for several hours until a solution is found,” he said.

A truck driver, Sanni, blamed the situation partly on the inability of some drivers to adapt to the new road design, urging them to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before using the bridge.

“It is unfortunate that my colleagues still find it difficult to adapt to the new design on the bridge. I urge them to always ensure their vehicles are in order before plying the road to avoid breakdowns.

“Whenever a heavy-duty vehicle breaks down, it takes over the space on the single lane and prevents other vehicles from passing. However, everything boils down to the authorities. They should provide towing vans at both ends of the bridge for the easy removal of broken-down vehicles,” he said.

However, a civil servant, who identified herself as Amaka, described the new demarcation as a positive development intended to discourage reckless driving, particularly among commercial motorists.

She said the arrangement had nevertheless contributed to traffic congestion because of frequent vehicle breakdowns.

“The demarcation is a good development intended to ward off bad driving habits, especially from commercial drivers. But as it is, it has been creating gridlock for motorists due to frequent vehicle breakdowns.

“In order not to make it a situation of solving one problem and, at the same time, creating multiple problems, a barrier should be placed at both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy-duty trucks from plying it,” she said.