Regional News

Amnesty demands independent probe into deaths of miners in Niger Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

Police raise alarm over planned attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC camps The Nigeria Police Force has alerted commands and formations across the country to intelligence indicating possible coordinated attacks by terrorist groups on places of worship, schools, National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) orientation camps and other locations, according to Sahara Reporters.

Arms imports jump 104% to N55bn ahead of 2027 elections Nigeria’s importation of arms and ammunition rose by 104.31 per cent in the first half of 2026, climbing to N55.06bn from N26.95bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, as concerns mount over weapons proliferation ahead of next year’s general elections. Latest data on foreign trade accessed from

Boko Haram Invades Adamawa Community, Kills residents, burn down Houses – Daily Trust Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have invaded Bitirhuya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, killing four residents and setting many houses ablaze. The fresh attack came barely a week after the terrorists killed 12 people in

Chad’s anti-corruption institutions buckle under political pressure | ISS Africa On 12 August, Chad’s National State Security Agency arrested an audit team from the country’s Independent Anti-Corruption Authority (AILC). The AILC had been investigating the management by Chad’s state-owned National Hydrocarbons Company (SHT) of crude oil bought by Glencore.

Kano: Hisbah arrests TikToker over obscene videos ‎ – Daily Trust The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested popular TikTok content creator Ukasha Yahaya, popularly known as UK International, over videos showing him hugging and bathing with women. ‎Deputy Commander General of the board, Dr. Mujahid Aminuddeen,

Troops neutralise 1,106 terrorists in Borno – Daily Trust Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised 1,106 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and intercepted over N300 million in illicit funds from their financiers. This was made public by the outgoing Theatre Commander of

Financial Inclusion: Nigeria’s cashless boom leaves rural women, cross-border traders behind “Customer, come now, it has been a while. I have fresh yam ooo,” Fatimah Abu shouted in pidgin English as she saw a car about to park near her roadside stand. Fatimah sells farm produce, including yams, okra, tomatoes, onions, chilli and potatoes. She is one of about a dozen Fulani women who sell farm produce along the

Nigeria’s Financial Exclusion Falls to 21% — Report A new report by Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA) has found that Nigeria’s financial exclusion rate has fallen to 21 per cent. However, the remaining gap is increasingly concentrated among people with fewer economic resources.

Kwara journalist raises alarm over alleged threat to kill him, family A Kwara-based journalist, Usman Haruna, has raised an alarm after receiving a text message threatening that he and his family could be subjected to “very brutal things.” Mr Haruna, Editor-in-Chief of NupekoTV, told PREMIUM TIMES that the message was sent at about 8:35 p.m. on 23 August, while he was in Ilorin.

Ondo poisonous drink: Death toll rises to 49 – Daily Trust The death toll from the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while the number of affected persons has climbed to about 170, health authorities have confirmed. Daily Trust had earlier reported that 30 residents of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo

MOSOP hails Ribadu’s Ogoni peace model, seeks replication nationwide The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has commended the conflict-resolution approach adopted by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in the ongoing dialogue over the longstanding Ogoni oil conflict.

Nigeria inflation falls to 15.39% in August – NBS The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell marginally to 15.39 per cent in August, as the pace of increase in food prices slowed sharply during the month. The latest figure is a 0.04 percentage-point decline from the 15.43 per cent recorded in July and represents a significant moderation from the 23.14 per cent recorded in August 2025.

Curfew imposed after many killed in Mambilla Plateau Local government authorities have imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Mbamga community following violent attacks that left at least five people dead, including security personnel, in the Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

11 African countries record 1,153 mpox cases in six weeks The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that 11 African countries recorded active transmission of mpox in the six weeks between 6 July and 16 August 2026, with 1,153 confirmed cases and seven deaths. The organisation disclosed this in its Mpox: Multi-country External Situation Report published on 14 September.

97% of PHCs in 16 states fail national staffing standards – Report A new assessment of 1,480 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 16 Nigerian states has found that 97 per cent failed to meet the national minimum staffing requirement, raising fresh concerns about the capacity of the country’s frontline health facilities to provide essential services.

Nigeria arrests Mexican national as authorities uncover suspected meth lab | Africanews Nigerian authorities have uncovered another suspected methamphetamine laboratory linked to Mexican nationals, raising concerns over attempts by international drug networks to establish production sites in the country. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said 40-year-old Mexican national Arturo Carrera

Nigerians displaced by conflict call for ‘change’ ahead of 2027 polls | Africanews Paved roads give way to a dirt path choked with overgrown shrubs, the barbed wire-topped walls of housing estates swapped for one-room shacks built from corrugated iron sheets and wooden planks. Tucked among the suburbs of Abuja, Nigerians chased from their homes by a jihadist insurgency have been living in this

Africa’s rainmakers still in demand but face challenges from climate change | Africanews African rainmakers have long been revered as spiritual leaders who perform rituals to bring rain, with the role often passed down through generations. But climate change is raising expectations they cannot meet, leaving rainmakers increasingly blamed for drought — and in extreme cases, killed by mobs.

61% of Nigerian adults in financial distress – Report – Daily Trust Enhancing Financial Inclusion & Advancement (EFInA) has released the Access to Financial Services in Nigeria (A2F) 2026 Survey findings, which shows that 61% of Nigerian adults are in financial distress.

ECOWAS Court rulings: Media called to drive regional compliance – Daily Trust The president of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, Hon. Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has called on regional journalists to influence Member States to implement the Court’s rulings through their reportage.

NLC demands action as petrol sells for N1,500/litre in state The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, has continued to rise across states, with the product selling for as much as N1,500 per litre in Kano, Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara, while prices have also risen sharply in other parts of the country. This came as the Nigeria Labour Congress called on the Federal Government to urgently introduce

10,494 Nigerians in UK health sector as country battles health worker shortage A total of 10,494 Nigerians are listed among staff in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), according to data shared by NHS Million, a UK campaign organisation focused on NHS staff. Nigeria ranked sixth overall on the list, behind the UK/British, India, the Philippines, Ireland and Poland, making Nigeria the largest African nationality represented in the breakdown.

Kaduna: Over 50 Members Killed, 200,000 Cattle Rustled in 9 Months – MACBAN – Daily Trust The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kaduna State chapter, has alleged that more than 200,000 cows have been lost to cattle rustling and related insecurity in the state since January 2026.

Experts raise alarm over silent signs of suicide in Nigeria Despite being regarded as a cultural taboo subject, with the act of suicide itself shrouded in superstitious beliefs, news reports of it happening sporadically emerge. Last year, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reported that over 15,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, with young people between 15 and 29 most affected.

Over 20 feared trapped in Taraba mining pit collapse About 20 people, including women and children, are feared trapped after a mining pit collapsed in Mayo Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, on Thursday. The incident occurred in the afternoon while the miners were reportedly working inside the pit, sending residents into panic and plunging the community into mourning.

dailytrust.com/ondo-poisonous-drink-death-toll-rises-to-49/ The death toll from the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while the number of affected persons has climbed to about 170, health authorities have confirmed.

Peace and Security

Army recovers N350m terror funds, 500 weapons in N’East The outgoing Theatre Commander of the Northeast Joint Taskforce, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Abubakar Abdulsalam, has revealed that over N350m was recovered from terrorist financiers since his assumption of the command. The commander made the revelation on Tuesday during a press briefing at the

Terror groups across Africa are expanding, leveraging technology – US AFRICOM chief As the United States marks the 25th anniversary of the 11 September attacks, one of the most important lessons from Africa is that terrorist threats rarely begin with an attack on the United States.

BRICS: Nigeria seeks reform of UN, global financial systemPresident Bola Tinubu has called for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Sunday, stated that Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture.

Fresh concerns as petrol nears N1,500/L – Daily TrustFresh concerns have emerged over another increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, following recent upward review by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery which raised its gantry price by N85 per litre amid a sharp rally in international crude oil prices.

S/African woman jailed 25 years for importing heroin into Nigeria – Daily Trust A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a female South African national identified as Jessica Ann to 25 years imprisonment for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.

2027: Women make up just 9% of 1,303 candidates on INEC’s final Senate list – Vanguard News ABUJA: Women account for only 123 of the 1,303 candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to contest the 109 senatorial seats nationwide in the 2027 National Assembly elections, representing roughly nine percent of the total field, according to the commission’s final list of candidates.

Boko Haram Rejects Ceasefire, Ransom Deal With Nigerian Government in New Video | HumAngle In a video released on Sunday, Sept. 13, a man identified by HumAngle as the Sharia judge for Boko Haram – otherwise known as the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (JAS) faction– has rejected reports that the group had struck a secret ceasefire with the Nigerian military and that the government had paid a ransom to them to secure it.

Why deploying clerics to forests can end banditry – GumiKaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated his call for non-violent engagements, such as religious education, for ending banditry in Nigeria’s North-west and North-central regions.

How ECOWAS biometric card will ease travel for member states’ citizens across West Africa – Officials Nigerians travelling to other West African countries could face fewer delays at border posts as the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) is introduced across the region.

Security agents raid kidnappers’ enclave, rescue seven in Benue Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), working with the police and local vigilantes, have rescued seven persons from a suspected kidnappers’ enclave in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

Air strikes kill over 18 terrorists, destroy logistics hubs in Borno – Military The Nigerian military said the air component of the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has killed more than 18 terrorists and destroyed logistics hubs in an air “interdiction operation” in Borno State.

I was the target of kidnapping plot – Anglican Bishop The Bishop of Jos, Anglican Diocese, Ephraim Gongden, says he was the target of an alleged kidnapping plot that affected his wife and that of his predecessor, Benjamin Kwashi. Mr Gongden stated this in an interview with Advent Cable Network Nigeria (ACNN), on Saturday in Jos.

Nigeria’s N144bn safe school plan fails to calm security fears as pupils return More than 45 million pupils in basic and secondary schools across Nigeria will resume academic activities today as school owners and administrators ramp up security measures amid growing concerns about learners’ safety.

Terrorists Surrenders With AK-47, IED in Borno as Troops Nab 6 Kidnappers in Adamawa – PRNigeria News A Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI with an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, while six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate were arrested in separate operations in Borno and Adamawa states.

Drought: Jigawa community holds special prayer for rain Residents of Basirka town in Jigawa State trooped out in large numbers for a three-day special prayer for rainfall following a prolonged dry spell that has left farmlands withering. The prayers began on Saturday and continued on Sunday and Monday, with residents also observing a voluntary fast on Monday to seek the intervention of Almighty Allah.

Humanitarian

Over three million people affected by malnutrition in North-East — ICRC – Tribune Online More than three million people are affected by malnutrition in the North-East, with millions more still in need of food as the region continues to grapple with the humanitarian consequences of prolonged conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said. The Public Relations Officer of the ICRC, Aliyu Dawobe, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos during a media roundtable on humanitarian reporting organised for journalists.

Tinubu sets ‘vision’ 2030 to end child labour – Daily Trust By Jide Olusola President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared the eradication of child labour a national development priority, saying the menace threatens education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security. The President stated

Over 5,000 schools destroyed by insurgency – Zulum Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said more than 5,000 school structures were destroyed during the over-a-decade-long insurgency in the state. The governor disclosed this on Sunday during the commissioning of projects, including roads, a flyover and schools, in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Zamfara records diphtheria 44 deaths, extends school resumption – Daily Trust The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has recorded 44 deaths from an outbreak of diphtheria in parts of the state. The State Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Yusuf Haske, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Monday.

Mobilization and economic development

How my decision delayed telcos’ entry into Nigeria’s financial space — Sanusi Lamido Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has admitted that he would have made some decisions differently during his tenure, particularly his decision to delay the entry of telecommunications companies into Nigeria’s financial services sector.

‘African risk premium’: AU launches own credit rating agency [Business Africa] | Africanews A sovereign credit rating is more than a number. It shapes how investors judge whether a government can and will repay its debts, and it decides what countries pay to borrow. A negative rating means expensive debt or worse. For African countries, the “African risk premium” has turned perception into a

Dangote IPO draws interest from Nigerians keen to invest | Africanews Nigerians have started scrambling to buy a stake in Aliko Dangote’s giant oil refinery, with some seeing the country’s biggest-ever public share offering as a rare chance to participate in one of Africa’s most ambitious industrial projects. Dangote, Africa’s richest man, dubbed the initial public offering or IPO one “for the people” and said he wants everyone to be able to own a share.

Why petrol remains expensive in Nigeria — Dangote President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has attributed the high price of petrol in Nigeria partly to the continued smuggling of the commodity to neighbouring countries where it sells for significantly more. Dangote said petrol prices in neighbouring countries were between 30 and 50 per cent higher than in Nigeria, arguing that the price difference creates a strong

Financial Inclusion: Nigeria’s cashless boom leaves rural women, cross-border traders behind “Customer, come now, it has been a while. I have fresh yam ooo,” Fatimah Abu shouted in pidgin English as she saw a car about to park near her roadside stand. Fatimah sells farm produce, including yams, okra, tomatoes, onions, chilli and potatoes. She is one of about a dozen Fulani women who sell farm produce along the roadside at Fruit Market in Lugbe, a suburb about 12 kilometres from Abuja city centre.

Africa fights for a fair share of global tax | ISS Africa African countries and other global south members are negotiating at the United Nations (UN) in New York to establish a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation for a fairer international tax system. This is to ensure multinational corporations pay appropriate tax where they do business, rather than in tax havens.