BRICS leaders have called for “maximum restraint” and urged an end to further escalation in the Middle East as the United States and Iran resume tit-for-tat strikes.

The call was contained in a joint declaration unanimously adopted on Saturday, September 12, during the first day of the BRICS leaders’ annual summit in New Delhi, India.

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In the declaration, the bloc said it had “deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East” and called on all sides to exercise “maximum restraint” while avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.

The statement comes after a pause in fighting for much of August, with the United States and Iran now engaged in renewed exchanges of strikes.

BRICS’ position carries particular significance because the expanded bloc includes Iran, which is directly involved in the conflict, alongside the United Arab Emirates, a close U.S. ally.

The presence of both countries had made consensus on a joint statement more challenging, but the members ultimately agreed on a common position.

BRICS Pushes Dialogue, Diplomacy
The New Delhi Declaration also reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to resolving international disputes peacefully.

BRICS members said they supported the resolution of international disputes “through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy.”

The statement did not stop at the Middle East conflict, as the bloc also expressed concern over the increasing use of

“unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures,” arguing that such measures can distort international trade.

The concerns come amid U.S. sanctions against Iran and sanctions imposed on Russia over its war with Ukraine.

The BRICS bloc currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

The joint declaration represents an attempt by the increasingly influential grouping to maintain a united position on major international security issues despite differences among its members.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted its Third Quarter Route March Exercise simultaneously across its formations and units nationwide to strengthen combat readiness and enhance its capacity to respond effectively to Nigeria’s security challenges.

The exercise, which was held across the country, focused on improving the physical fitness, mental resilience, discipline and teamwork of NAF personnel.

The development was disclosed by the Nigerian Air Force via its official X account on Saturday.

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Speaking at NAF Camp Abuja on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Operations, Air Vice Marshal Precious Amadi, stressed the importance of maintaining a physically and mentally prepared force.

Amadi highlighted “physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork, and discipline” as critical enablers of operational effectiveness.

He noted that the quarterly exercise was also designed to strengthen cohesion and “esprit de corps” among personnel while preparing them for the demanding nature of military operations.

The NAF said the route march forms part of its broader efforts to enhance combat effectiveness through continuous training, capacity development, personnel welfare and sustained operational readiness.

According to the Service, the exercise underscores its commitment to maintaining a “fit, resilient, disciplined, and combat-ready force” capable of responding effectively to contemporary security challenges.

The Nigerian Air Force further reaffirmed its resolve to project air power effectively and contribute decisively to the defence, security and stability of Nigeria.

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has warned the Federal Government against inviting, interrogating or arresting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over a corruption petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Melaye, a prominent supporter of Atiku and the African Democratic Congress, said the opposition would mobilise Nigerians if the former Vice-President was invited or arrested in connection with what he described as a “frivolous petition.”

He issued the warning in a video shared on his X account on Friday.

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Melaye said any attempt to use the petition against Atiku would be resisted, insisting that political office holders remained accountable to the Nigerian people.

“This is our note of warning. If due to this frivolous petition you invite, arrest, or interview Atiku Abubakar, we will prove to you that those in government are less than one per cent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will prove to you that the people own government,” he said.

The warning followed a petition submitted to the EFCC by former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, asking the anti-graft agency to reopen corruption allegations against Atiku dating back to his time as Vice-President.

The petition, signed on Agbonayinma’s behalf by his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo, SAN, reportedly referred to an earlier EFCC investigation and report concerning allegations against Atiku.

The allegations date back to 2005 and 2006 and included claims of abuse of office, money laundering and alleged diversion of funds linked to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.

Atiku denied wrongdoing at the time and described the allegations as politically motivated.

The Lagos State High Court, on December 20, 2006, reportedly set aside an EFCC administrative indictment against Atiku, ruling that the process was unconstitutional and flawed. The allegations did not result in a criminal conviction against the former Vice-President.

The renewed petition comes as Atiku prepares for the 2027 presidential election under the ADC, with opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Melaye’s warning has added a fresh political dimension to the controversy, with the former senator making it clear that the ADC would oppose any move it considers an attempt to politically target Atiku.

However, there was no confirmed indication as of the time of reporting that the EFCC had invited or arrested Atiku over the renewed petition.