Regional News

UN Demands Probe as Nigerian, Chadian Airstrikes Allegedly Kill Scores of Civilians – Abc News Nigeria The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for independent investigations into reports that airstrikes carried out by Nigerian and Chadian forces killed scores of civilians in separate incidents. Türk expressed concern over allegations that a Nigerian airstrike on a local market reportedly left at least 100 civilians dead, while Chadian air raids inside Nigerian territory allegedly killed dozens of fishermen.

Army rescues six abductees, arrests collaborators in N-East The Nigerian Army has said troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, rescued six abducted women and children, neutralised terrorists, and arrested suspected collaborators during sustained operations across the North-East theatre. The Army disclosed this in a

Adopt Modern Livestock Farming, FG Urges Pastoralists The Federal Government has urged pastoralists across the country to adopt sedentary livestock production to improve breeds, pasture development and livestock management. The Minister of Livestock. Development, Dr Idi Maiha, made the call during an interactive session with the Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association on Thursday in Abuja.

Video shows Boko Haram killing five Borno captives Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly beheaded five men out of 416 victims abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. In a video obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday through a mediation group, the Borno South Youth Alliance, the terrorist group, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, was seen chanting while displaying the bodies of the victims.

Borno Residents Fear Collapse of Demolished Building One year after the Borno State government partly demolished a four-storey building in Abaganaram, Maiduguri, residents of the community have raised fresh alarm over the looming danger of an impending total collapse of the building. The residents, who warned the state government that the threat to the lives of the residents and throng of patients who

Report links rising malnutrition, maternal health crisis to weak healthcare access in Nigeria Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised concerns over worsening malnutrition, recurring disease outbreaks and persistent maternal health challenges in Nigeria, warning that weak healthcare access and deepening humanitarian pressures are leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk. The humanitarian organisation disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of its 2025 Country Activity Report, which documents trends observed across its medical operations in several states.

FG eyes AI-powered intelligence system to tackle terrorism, piracy, illegal mining The Federal Government says it is preparing to deploy an artificial intelligence-powered security system known as the Multi-domain Hybrid Intelligence Shield (HIS) as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s fight against terrorism, piracy and illegal mining. The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed this during a working visit to Monaco alongside senior ministry officials as part of engagements on the proposed HIS project for the Ministry of Defence.

Troops seize 400 Starlink devices linked to terrorists in North-East – Daily Trust Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted over 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East. Commander of Sector 2, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents on ongoing intelligence-led operations across the region.

Over 100 killed in Zamfara market airstrike – Daily Trust A military airstrike on Tumfa market in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State has reportedly killed at least 117 people and injured several others. Residents said the casualties included both bandits and civilians. The aerial bombardment occurred on Sunday, the same day another Nigerian Air Force operation targeting bandits struck Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, where 13

FG makes drug tests mandatory for secondary school students – SolaceBase The Federal Government has introduced stringent new measures to combat drug and substance abuse in secondary schools, including mandatory  drug testing for students and temporary suspension for those who repeatedly test positive after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation procedures

Nigerian court sentences ex-power minister Mamman to 75 years in prison for fraud | Reuters ABUJA, May 13 (Reuters) – A Nigerian court on Wednesday sentenced former power minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years ​in prison after convicting him of laundering ‌33.8 billion naira ($24.71 million), the country’s anti-graft agency said, a rare conviction against corrupt officials in the West ​African nation.

As jet fuel costs rise, operational disruptions mount for Nigerian airlines | Reuters LAGOS, May 11 (Reuters) – Airlines grappling with soaring jet fuel prices are facing a second blow as supply shortages disrupt flight schedules and crew rotations, industry groups and airlines said, heightening ​safety and operational concerns across Nigeria’s aviation sector. The National Association of Aircraft ​Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said persistent scarcity of jet fuel has

Deals and new partnerships lined up at Africa-France summit | Reuters NAIROBI, May 11 (Reuters) – More than 30 African leaders gathered for a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in ‌Kenya on Monday, as Paris sought new deals and partnerships amid signs of fading influence in some of its former colonies on the continent.

Africa’s richest man Dangote eyes Kenya for new refinery, FT reports | Reuters May 10 (Reuters) – Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is looking at Kenya as the ​site of a 650,000-barrel-a-day oil refinery that ‌he intends to build in East Africa, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing an interview with him. “I’m leaning more ​towards Mombasa because Mombasa has a much ​larger, deeper port,”

Militant attack on Nigeria army base kills at least two soldiers | Reuters MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, May 8 (Reuters) – Fighters suspected of being members of Islamic State West Africa Province attacked a Nigerian army base in the northeastern ​town of Magumeri, killing at least two soldiers and wounding the ‌commanding officer, security sources and the military said.

Macron announces Paris funding conference to support African peace efforts – RFI Macron has been in Africa on a five-day visit this week, including for a two-day economic summit in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. On Wednesday, he met Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, before holding informal talks with AU chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Macron, on his first visit to the AU headquarters, said France considers that “African problems must first and foremost be resolved and coordinated by Africa, and that the legitimate body is the African Union”.

Terror on the Football Pitch: Adamawa Community Recount ISWAP Attack – HumAngle The referee blew the whistle a few minutes before 5 p.m., on April 26, to kick off the second half of a football game. The players re-emerged on the field, and the spectators once again gathered to witness the second round of the Guyaku Local Championship Football League in the Sabon Gari

Deadly Gully Erosion in Niger State Despite Multi-Billion Naira Control Projects – HumAngle Khadeejat Mohammed was only two years old when Mokwa’s gully erosion claimed her life in the Eti-Sheshi community of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Bright, playful, and already piecing sentences together, she had just been registered for creche. “She was very smart,” Isa Sheshi, her

Nigerian police dismiss officers for kidnapping, extortion, robbery The Nigeria Police Force says it has dismissed some officials over alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion and other criminal activities in Rivers State. In a statement issued on Thursday by the police spokesperson, Anthony Placid, the police said the actions formed part of ongoing internal cleansing and institutional reform efforts aimed at strengthening discipline and accountability within the force.

Dangote targets $100bn revenue with fresh $45bn refinery, LNG expansion plan Dangote Group plans to invest an additional $45 billion across refinery expansion, liquefied natural gas infrastructure and regional industrial projects as part of an ambitious strategy to raise annual revenue to $100 billion and eventually hit $200 billion by 2030. President of the group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed this during a recent interview with Nicolai Tangen, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Peace and Security

ECOWAS Parliament adopts resolution banishing children from streets The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a resolution directing member states to take immediate action toward protecting street children, ending child exploitation, and banishing them from the streets in the sub-region. The lawmakers adopted the landmark resolution during the parliament’s ongoing 2026 First Ordinary Session on Thursday in Abuja.

Tinubu & Kagame Boost Nigeria-Rwanda Trade and Consular Ties President Bola Tinubu and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame have agreed to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda, including the revival of the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission and new steps to strengthen cooperation in trade, consular affairs and continental integration.

Nigeria’s kidnappers exploit online public empathy to extract higher ransoms | ISS Africa Kidnapping for ransom has become one of Nigeria’s most pervasive and destabilising security threats. Once concentrated in the Niger Delta and tied to militancy, it has spread across the country, embedding itself in the conflict economies of the northwest and central regions.

NAF Airstrikes Eliminate 2 Senior B’Haram Commanders, Destroy Enclave in Bulabulin – PRNigeria News NAF Airstrikes Eliminate 2 Senior B’Haram Commanders, Destroy Enclave in Bulabulin. The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has conducted a successful night air interdiction on a terrorist enclave in the Bulabulin general area of Borno State, resulting in the neutralisation of several insurgents, including two senior Boko Haram commanders.

Sokoto police launch new anti-kidnapping unit The Sokoto State Police Command has launched a new tactical squad, the Violent Crime Response Unit, aimed at tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across the state. According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, on Thursday, the unit was created in line with ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force and the

DHQ Denies Civilian Casualties in Zamfara Airstrike The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties following an air-land operation conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in Zamfara State. The operation, carried out on May 10, 2026, reportedly targeted a gathering of terrorist leaders at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

Nigeria records 1,326 attacks, 28 journalists dead in 9 years — Report – Vanguard News Nigeria has recorded 1,326 press freedom violations and 28 deaths of journalists over a nine-year period, according to a report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, underscoring ongoing concerns over the safety of media practitioners in the country. The report was issued by CJID’s Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde.

Warm words, thin relief: Macron’s Africa financial push under scrutiny | Reuters NAIROBI, May 13 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron jogged with Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kipchoge, spoke with local university students and announced $27 billion in new investments at a Franco‑African summit in Nairobi this week. But his pledges ​to support Africa’s debt‑strapped

Tinubu appoints retired Maj. Gen. Famadewa as Homeland Security Adviser – The Nation Newspaper President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, in a move aimed at strengthening internal security coordination and intelligence-driven operations across the country.

BREAKING: 60 of 416 women children abducted by BH/ISWAP regain freedom in Borno – Yerwa Express News Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 60 women and children previously abducted during an attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The latest rescue operation, conducted along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Mandara

How over 50 were murdered After Tinubu’s promise to End Plateau killings – Daily Trust Less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State on April 3, 2026, and assured residents that recurring killings in the state would not happen again, a fresh wave of attacks began to unfold across several communities, leaving scores dead and many others injured.

Nigeria’s security ‘has never been worse’ as coup trial opens – RFI Nigeria’s government is facing growing pressure on Friday as 36 senior military officers go on trial before a specially convened court martial over an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu. Political analyst Jibrin Ibrahim said Nigeria’s security situation “has never been worse” and accused

Humanitarian

Nigeria’s Health Crisis Worsened by Funding Cuts, MSF Warns Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that deepening humanitarian funding cuts are threatening Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare response, as rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks and maternal health emergencies continue to overwhelm vulnerable communities across the country. The

NHRC calls for full implementation of NAP human rights in Borno — Northern Nigerian Express The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday canvassed greater collaboration especially among agencies of governments and civil society organisations to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on human rights in Borno State.

Nigeria Launches €4.2m Disease Outbreak Response Initiative The Federal Government, in partnership with the European Union and the World Health Organization, on Monday launched a €4.2 million initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. The programme, known as EU Support to Public Health Institutes in

MSF’s New Report Examines Surging Malnutrition Crisis in Northern Nigeria – HumAngle Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international humanitarian organisation, has released its 2025 activity report for Nigeria, and the findings are sobering. The medical emergency organisation, also known as Doctors Without Borders, unveiled the report during an event in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, on

Mobilization and economic development

Why China now dominates Africa’s business landscape – Dangote Business mogul and African billionaire Aliko Dangote has said China currently dominates business across Africa because it is more willing than the United States and Europe to provide long-term financing and credit support for major industrial and infrastructure projects. Mr Dangote made the remarks during an interview with Nicolai Tangen, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, where he gave a blunt assessment of

Tinubu: Nigeria will spend $11.6bn on debt servicing in 2026 The amount indicates a significant surge from the $5.21 billion spent on external debt servicing in 2025, according to data from Nigeria’s central bank. Tinubu spoke at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

French President Macron Urges Investment In Africa • Channels Television French President Emmanuel Macron urged investment in Africa on Monday as he co-hosted an economic summit in Kenya, after defending European involvement on the continent. The European leader, speaking at the University of Nairobi, said Africa “needs investment to become more sovereign”, replacing aid with economic opportunities. Speaking in French, Macron said that previously European chiefs would

Dangote Cement in early talks over potential London listing | Reuters ABUJA, May 13 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Dangote Cement ​said it is considering a secondary ‌listing on the London Stock Exchange, a move that could widen its access to overseas ​investors and capital, although it didn’t ​provide details on the plan’s terms ⁠or timing.

Africa CDC and Aspen Pharmacare aim to boost vaccine output in Africa | Reuters JOHANNESBURG, May 12 (Reuters) – The African Union’s public health agency and South African drugmaker Aspen Pharmacare (APNJ.J), opens new tab are in talks ​on a long‑term framework aimed at boosting vaccine production on the ‌continent, after the COVID‑19 pandemic exposed its overreliance on imports.

African leaders push for risk pricing rethink, fresh investment at France Africa summit | Reuters NAIROBI, May 11 (Reuters) – African leaders will use a two‑day summit in Nairobi with French President Emmanuel Macron ‌to make a fresh push on rethinking how to price risk on the continent and unlock investment flows into key sectors, Kenya’s foreign minister said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio

Nigeria’s Tinubu urges global finance overhaul as debt costs crowd out spending | Reuters May 13 (Reuters) – Nigeria will spend about $11.6 billion servicing its ‌debt in 2026, nearly half of its projected government revenue, President Bola Tinubu said, as he called for an overhaul of a global financial system he said penalises African borrowers. Debt-servicing costs are crowding out spending on

Nigeria’s crude oil output rises to 1.66 million bpd in April Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production rose to an average of 1.66 million barrels per day (bpd) in April 2026, bringing the country close to its production target under the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota. The figures were disclosed in the latest provisional data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).