Regional News

Former RFI journalist disappears in Niger after attempted coup – RFI Reporters Without Borders has called for an investigation into the disappearance of Moussa Kaka, the director of a television station in Niger and a former correspondent for Radio France International, days after a failed coup in the country.

Kidnapping on the Rise Near Cameroon’s Border with Nigeria | HumAngle A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has revealed that over 300 persons were kidnapped by terrorists in the Far North region of Cameroon during April, May, and June of

Four Chinese nationals arrested over illegal mining in Niger Four Chinese nationals have been arrested on the order of the Niger State Government for allegedly operating an unauthorised mining site in Maiya’aki village, Lapai Local Government Area. The order followed an on-the-spot inspection by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Muhammad Danjuma.

Niamey back to normal after soldier mutiny – RFI Intense fighting took place overnight from Friday to Saturday, with the army and its Russian Africa Corps allies managing to take back control late in the day. Mutineers notably tried to storm the presidential compound. Several were killed, according to a security source, while others were arrested.

Still dancing at 88, Mali’s Mariam Bagayoko keeps tradition alive – RFI At the age of 88, barefoot and cinched into a belt of cowrie shells, renowned singer Mariam Bagayoko still sweeps across the stage with infectious energy, dazzling wide-eyed fans with the rhythms of a bygone Mali.

Why Uber ceased Nigerian operation after 12 years – Daily Trust Ride-hailing company Uber has exited the Nigerian market, shutting down its operations in the country effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The company, which launched in Lagos in 2014, announced the decision in a statement to customers, citing a thorough review of its business.

DSS DG Bans Arrests in Civil Matters, Prioritizes Rule of La The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has directed operatives of the agency not to arrest anyone over civil matters. According to The Sun, Ajayi stated this in a media interview on Thursday, explaining that the directive was part of measures to strengthen adherence to the rule of law and improve the agency’s human rights record.

14,500 missing in N’East as families groan – Daily Trust As the world marked the International Day of the Disappeared, families across Nigeria’s North-East continue to live with the pain and uncertainty of not knowing the whereabouts of their loved ones. Recent figures from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) show that more than 17,000

Niger: Gunfire, Explosions Rock Niamey Amid Reports of Military Mutiny — Emergency Digest Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported across Niger’s capital, Niamey, in the early hours of Saturday, amid unverified reports of an internal military confrontation involving members of the country’s Defence and Security Forces. The incident, which reportedly began at about 2:30 a.m. local time, was said to have continued until around 6:00 a.m., with heightened security measures and tension persisting in parts of the capital afterwards.

Troops foil terrorist attack on Borno, kill 26, destroy equipment – Yerwa Express News Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Haɗin kai, have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, killing several terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles in a coordinated ground and air operation.

Why US is withdrawing 200 troops from Nigeria – DHQ The Nigerian military says the planned withdrawal of United States troops from Nigeria does not signal a breakdown of bilateral security cooperation between both countries. Samaila Uba, the spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, spoke on Tuesday while responding to questions from journalists at a security briefing organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

Terrorism: 57 primary schools shut, 80 students in captivity in Borno LGA – OfficialOnly 56 of the 113 primary schools are functioning in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where about 80 students abducted during attacks on their schools in May and June remain in captivity, the local education authority has told PREMIUM TIMES.

3 youths allegedly arrested for posting Borno LG’s FAAC allocation on Facebook – Daily Trust Three youths in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State, Salihu Yahaya, Haruna Mohammed and Muhammed Mallum, have allegedly been arrested by the police following a Facebook post on the council’s receipt of about N3.11 billion in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds between January and June 2026.

Corruption, others reducing confidence in police — study – Daily TrustA new study has found that corruption and misconduct among police officers are significantly reducing public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and affecting citizens’ willingness to share intelligence with the force. The research, conducted by James Ojo Adakole and published in IRE Journals, surveyed 256 Nigerians,

Lassa fever death toll hits 252 — NCDC – Daily Trust The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 14 new confirmed Lassa fever cases in week 33, bringing cumulative infections to 1,035. The latest cases were recorded between August 10 and August 16, in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the situation report released in Abuja on Tuesday.

PHOTO: B’Haram Terrorist Surrenders to Troops, Hands Over RPG Launcher, Bomb in Borno – PRNigeria News A Boko Haram terrorist has surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, amid sustained military pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region. The terrorist voluntarily surrendered to troops at about 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday,

INEC Fears AI Disinformation for 2027 Elections The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned that artificial intelligence-driven disinformation poses a serious threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, calling for electoral technology and communication to be treated as a single discipline. The INEC Chairman, Prof Joash

Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage in Nigeria The Federal Workers Forum has written to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, demanding an immediate review of the salaries of federal civil servants and an increase in the minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000. The letter, dated September 2, 2026, and signed by the National Coordinator, FWF, Andrew Emelieze and General Secretary, Ogundele Ayodele, was

Nigeria, AfricaRice Deepen Partnership To Achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency – WIND FLOW Nigeria has renewed its commitment to achieving rice self-sufficiency as the country moves to deepen collaboration with the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) on climate-smart technologies, improved seed systems and modern rice production and processing. The commitment was reaffirmed on August 21, 2026, when Nigeria’s Ambassador to Côte

dailytrust.com/ginger-farmers-battle-to-save-harvest-as-blight-disease-returns/ Three years after a devastating ginger blight outbreak crippled production, farmers in parts of Kaduna State are once again battling a fungal disease that is destroying their crops and threatening their livelihoods. Many farmers are spending heavily on

2027 election: Nigerians challenging manipulation, religious sentiments and corruption As campaign activities for the 2027 general elections get underway, clerics and politicians have quickly resorted to old rhetoric and tricks to mobilise support for their candidates. But Nigerians are challenging the attempts to use rhetoric and financial inducements to sway voters.

EFCC sacks 40 staff members over corruption – Daily Trust The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, disclosed that more than 40 of its personnel have been dismissed in the past two and a half years. The commission revealed that they were sacked over their involvement in alleged corruption and financial malfeasance that could tarnish the image of the agency.

Opposition mulls single term – Daily Trust Six opposition political parties have agreed to begin structured negotiations on a framework for cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, including a roadmap for producing a consensus presidential candidate and a single-term transition charter. The parties – the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM),

One injured as troops rescue abducted corps members in Kogi – Daily Trust Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in a coordinated joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service, local hunters and vigilantes, have successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims from a forest in Kogi State. The Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Lt Hassan Abdullahi, said the operation that led to

‘No opposition in Borno’, Commissioner speaks on viral video – Daily Trust Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Comrade Saina Buba, has denied issuing threats against political opponents. The denial comes on the heels of a widely circulated video online that sparked widespread concern and criticism.

N1.36trn electricity unpaid in 2025 – Report – Daily Trust The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated N1.36trn worth of electricity was lost and unpaid for in the 2025. NERC in its annual 2025 report said a total of N3.68trn worth of electricity was generated during the year but N2.31trn was collected by 11 electricity distribution companies.

Thousands rally to back Niger authorities after thwarted mutiny | Africanews Thousands demonstrated in Niger’s capital on Wednesday in support of the west African country’s army chief, General Abdourahamane Tiani, following a thwarted army mutiny at the weekend, Nigerien journalists reported. The rally in Niamey comes days after loyal supporters of the military government put down the attempted uprising with the help of Russian partners, but not before the capital was rocked by intense fighting across several highly sensitive sites.

Customs Seizes ₦362m Smuggled Goods in Adamawa, Taraba, Warns Offenders – PRNigeria News The Nigeria Customs Service has warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs operating across Adamawa and Taraba states to abandon illicit activities or face prosecution, asset forfeiture and other sanctions prescribed by law. The Customs Area Controller, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Tako, issued the warning on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, where he announced the interception of smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦362.2 million.

Peace and Security

Niger coup attempt: ‘Russians saved the day’ analyst tells RFI – RFI Niger’s military government has survived its most serious internal challenge since seizing power in 2023, after Russian paramilitaries helped loyalist forces crush last Saturday’s attempted coup in the capital, Niamey. RFI spoke to an expert who explains how this episode has

Taraba gov’t seals illegal mining site – Daily Trust The Taraba State Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation has sealed an illegal gold and diamond mining site in Garin Jatau village, a suburb of Iware in Ardo Kola

The Sahel’s natural resources and regional security – Daily Trust The Sahel is often mentioned in the news in connection with terrorism, military coups, poverty, displacement and humanitarian crises. But behind these challenges lies another story that deserves greater attention: the region is rich in natural resources. From the goldfields of Mali and Burkina Faso to the uranium deposits of Niger, the oil reserves of Chad

Insecurity: Military action not enough, north must unite against terrorists – Tinubu – Daily Trust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that military action alone cannot end insecurity in the North-Central region, urging communities, traditional and religious leaders, youths, women and the private sector to unite with security agencies in confronting criminality and addressing the root causes of violence.

Attackers target Niger’s Niamey airport and presidency perimeter – RFI A security source told Reuters that “terrorists” had attacked the city’s Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidency. Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger‘s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States

Military conducted 7,062 operations, rescued 777 kidnapped DHQ The Defence Headquarters says the military conducted 7,062 security operations across the country in July and August, neutralising 1,487 terrorists and insurgents and rescuing 777 kidnapped victims. The Director of Defence Information (DDI) , Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Joint News

Operation Hadin Kai: Troops eliminate 152 terrorists, arrest 142 in August – PRNigeria News Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralised 152 terrorists and arrested 142 others, including suspected logistics suppliers, during counter-insurgency operations across the North-East between August 1 and 31, 2026. The latest monthly operational figures indicate sustained military pressure on Boko Haram

Zulum pledges to reconstruct war-raveged town, sacks absentee Village, Ward Heads – Daily Trust Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has committed to the rapid reconstruction of critical public infrastructure in the war-raveged Malam Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area. The governor, who made the pledge on Monday during a high-profile working visit to the border community, said it was aimed to support residents returning to communities liberated from insurgency

Matawalle to Discuss Defence, Regional Security at São Tomé President’s Inauguration – PRNigeria News The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, i expected to discuss defence cooperation and regional security with the São Toméan leadership during his visit to the country. Matawalle arrived in São Tomé on Wednesday to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the inauguration of São Tomé and Príncipe President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova for a second five-year term.

NAF, Police Deepen Security Cooperation Ahead of 2027 Polls – PRNigeria News The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police Force have strengthened their strategic partnership ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both institutions pledging closer coordination to enhance national security and ensure a peaceful electoral environment. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, made the commitment on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force

COAS Shaibu Urges Soldiers to Build Mental Resilience Against Operational Stress – PRNigeria News The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged Nigerian Army personnel to cultivate mental resilience, ethical discipline and strong character as critical attributes for confronting contemporary security threats. Shaibu made the call on Wednesday at a sensitisation seminar on Warrior Ethos, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Management and Drugs/Substance Abuse held in Kachia, Kaduna State

Troops Foil Terrorist Ambush, Neutralise 3, Recover Rifle in Borno – PRNigeria News Troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion have neutralised three suspected terrorists following an ambush on the Maiduguri-Miyanti-Banki Junction route in Borno State. The attack occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on September 1, when the troops, who were conducting route-scanning operations along the major highway, came under attack by terrorist elements.

Humanitarian

Northern states record 185,502 rise in child malnutrition cases At least 185,502 more children were treated for acute malnutrition across seven northern states in 2025 than in the previous two years. The latest data from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), obtained by Sunday PUNCH, identified the affected states as Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, and Sokoto.

Yobe community crowdfunds to combat kidney disease Residents of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State have resorted to crowdfunding to support a medical outreach for people battling kidney disease, amid prolonged calls for the state government to establish a dialysis centre in Gashua, the local government headquarters. Led by a medical doctor and indigene of the area, Dr Hamza Tasi’u, the initiative seeks to ease

Boko Haram: Stakeholders demand urgent care for traumatised children – Daily Trust Nigeria risks losing a generation of children in conflict-affected communities to the psychological scars of the Boko Haram insurgency, stakeholders have warned. They said children who have witnessed killings, displacement and the loss of parents require

Mobilization and economic development

NNPCL reports drop in oil production in July – Daily Trust The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has stated that its crude oil and condensate production fell to 1.68 million barrels per day in July. The figures were contained in its July 2026 operational and financial performance report.

The long wait for Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline – Daily Trust It has been nearly a decade since the vision of a transcontinental gas pipeline linking Nigeria’s vast reserves to Morocco and, ultimately, European markets were conceived. What began as a historic diplomatic overture by King Mohammed VI of Morocco in 2016 has now been rebranded as the African

Petrol hits N1,350 as Dangote, marketers’ feud deepens – Daily Trust The lingering battle between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and petroleum marketers over the importation and pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, has taken a fresh turn, with the refinery considering restrictions on supplies to major marketers that continue to import the product.

Nigeria’s economy grows 4.43% in Q2 2026 — NBS Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.43 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The latest growth rate is higher than the 4.23 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025 and represents an improvement from the 3.89 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2026. The NBS disclosed this in its Gross Domestic Product Report for the second quarter of 2026, released on Monday.

World Bank Backs Nigeria Power Sector Tariff, Subsidy Reform The World Bank Group has said it will support reforms to Nigeria’s electricity tariff and subsidy frameworks as part of efforts to restore financial sustainability in the power sector. The World Bank disclosed this in its Country Partnership Framework for the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the period FY26-FY32. According to the document, the World Bank’s intervention will focus on improving electricity

Private Sector Credit Hits N83.43tn Amid High Interest Rates Nigeria’s private sector credit climbed to N83.43tn in July 2026, extending a steady rise in lending to businesses and other private-sector borrowers despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s tight monetary policy stance. Data from the CBN showed that private sector credit increased by 0.21 per cent between June and July, following a much stronger N2.22tn expansion in June.

Burkina Faso farmers growing pineapples amid push for self-sufficiency | Africanews Can pineapples grow in the Sahel region of Africa? Amid a political push for self-sufficiency, one farmer is proving that the tropical fruits can thrive. Ducks walk between rows of pineapples. Beneath their feet, the soil is red, sandy and stony. It’s hardly the lush setting usually needed to support pineapple plants. But this farm in arid, landlocked Burkina Faso is part of national efforts to grow the fruit.

Africa food systems forum: Putting capital where It matters {Business Africa} | Africanews At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, one question is taking centre stage: how can Africa turn ambitious commitments to transform agriculture into financing that actually reaches the small and growing businesses feeding the continent? While billions of dollars are being mobilised for agricultural development, much of the capital continues to struggle to reach