Regional News
Foreign fighters responsible for resurging terror attacks –Military – Daily Trust
The military high command has revealed that the recent spike in terrorists’ activities across the North East and North West regions is due to an influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for Boko Haram terrorists. The outgone Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a Major-General disclosed this to journalists at Defence Headquarters, Abuja during a press briefing on Thursday.
Why do civilians often die in Nigerian military strikes that target rebels? | Africanews
The Nigerian military has mistakenly killed hundreds of civilians in airstrikes targeting armed groups in the nation’s conflict-battered north over the years, many of them locals bombed in their villages. The latest misfire was on Saturday when the Nigerian air force bombarded rebels in the conflict-battered northwestern Zamfara State but ended up erroneously killing civilians working with a community security outfit, the state government said. Residents told the Associated Press that at least 20 civilians were killed. Since 2017, the military has killed about 400 civilians, according to SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based research firm that gathered reports and data from affected villages regarding the airstrikes.
Jihadist attacks in Borno State Leave at least 40 farmers dead | Africanews
At least 40 farmers have lost their lives in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state due to recent violence attributed to jihadists, according to a government official’s report on Monday. The assault is believed to have been orchestrated by extremists linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction that pledges allegiance to the Islamic State, according to the Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. He urged residents to remain within designated “safe zones” that have been cleared of both militants and explosives by the military.
Recently, residents of Sokoto and Kebbi communities raised alarms, urging the government and security agencies to take swift action against the alliance between Lakurawa insurgents and bandit terrorists. This call for action followed a surge in attacks on civilians and security forces by the Lakurawa group—previously regarded as a non-violent community of herders unfamiliar to Nigeria.
Mali seizes 3 tons of gold from Canadian company | Africanews
Mali’s military government has started seizing gold stocks of the Canadian mining company Barrick as part of a legal battle over the share of revenue owed to the West African state, according to an internal Barrick letter seen by The Associated Press. The letter from CEO Mark Bristow to the Malian Mining Minister, dated Monday, says Barrick is “awaiting official confirmation of the proper receipt by the Malian Solidarity Bank,” a government entity.
Terrorists have reportedly ambushed soldiers and civilians on a mission to recover the corpses of 40 farmers killed on Saturday at Dumba in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Security and local sources told our correspondents on condition of anonymity yesterday that the ambushed was laid by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Tuesday.
Nigerian inflation rises for fourth straight month in December | Reuters
Nigeria’s inflation rate rose for the fourth straight month in December, advancing to 34.80% in annual terms (NGCPIY=ECI), opens new tab from 34.60% in November, data from the statistics agency showed on Wednesday. The agency said in a report that the uptick in December was due to increased demand associated with the festive period.
Governors reject increase in VAT – Daily Trust
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has rejected the move to increase Value Added Tax (VAT). Rising from a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the governor said the move is untimely. Last year, Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, said the committee was proposing a law to the National Assembly to increase valued added tax from the current 7.5% to 10%. He had said, “We have significant issues in our tax revenue. We have issues of revenue generally which means tax and non-tax. You can describe the whole fiscal system in a state that is in crisis
Chadian Women Protest Insecurity Half-Naked – HumAngle
Women in the Larmanaye village of Logone Oriental province in Chad on Tuesday, Jan. 14, trooped into the streets half-naked, marching to the residence of the sub-divisional officer in protest against rising insecurity. The women condemned the assassinations and theft of cattle which have become very rampant in the zone and expressed their anger against the attitude of the administrative authorities towards these criminal activities.
Exclusive: Barrick to suspend operations in Mali after gold seized | Reuters
Canadian miner Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), opens new tab said it will have to suspend mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks from the company’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex and flew them out by helicopter over the weekend. Around three metric tons had been taken from the mining complex in western Mali on Saturday, two sources told Reuters on Monday, with one putting the value of the gold at $245 million.
Prison decongestion: FG to pardon convicts, inaugurates c’ttee – Daily Trust
The federal government is set to grant presidential pardon to convicts serving various jail terms across custodial centres in the country. To realise the objective, the government on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as chairman.
Recently, residents of Sokoto and Kebbi communities raised alarms, urging the government and security agencies to take swift action against the alliance between Lakurawa insurgents and bandit terrorists. This call for action followed a surge in attacks on civilians and security forces by the Lakurawa group—previously regarded as a non-violent community of herders unfamiliar to Nigeria. Early this Year, this group attacked Natseni village in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing two policemen and rustling over 200 cattle.
Nigerian airstrike kills civilians in rebel targeting error | Africanews
A Nigerian military airstrike targeting armed groups in the conflict-battered northwest mistakenly killed a number of civilians working in community security outfits, authorities and residents said. This is the third misfire by the military in a little over a year during aerial bombardments of extremists and rebel groups. The Nigeria Air Force was targeting rebels in the hard-hit Zurmi and Maradun areas of Zamfara state, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the state governor’s spokesman, said on Sunday.
Chad’s ruling party wins two-thirds of the seats | Africanews
Provisional results have shown that Chad’s ruling party has won two-thirds of the seats in the legislative election which was boycotted by many in the opposition last month. Results of the Dec. 29 election seal the country’s transition to constitutional rule more than three years after Deby seized control following the sudden death of his father and long-standing predecessor Idriss Deby Itno. Deby’s party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, secured 124 of the 188 seats at the National Assembly. The participation rate was at 51.56%. The vote, which also included municipal and regional elections, was Chad’s first in more than a decade.
Nearly 200 arrested in West Africa crackdown on illegal gold and sand mining | Africanews
Nearly 200 arrests, seizures of dangerous chemicals, explosives, and drugs – this is the outcome of an operation targeting illegal gold mining in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal. Interpol, which coordinated the West African police operation dubbed “Sanu, ” announced the move on Tuesday. The United Kingdom’s Home Office also participated in the effort.The initiative uncovered the extensive networks behind this illicit activity. At least 150 kilograms of cyanide, 325 kilograms of activated carbon, and explosive devices were confiscated. The use of harmful chemicals by these illegal miners has detrimental effects not only on the environment but also on the health of nearby residents.
Exclusive: Barrick to suspend operations in Mali after gold seized | Reuters
Canadian miner Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), opens new tab said it will have to suspend mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks from the company’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex and flew them out by helicopter over the weekend.
Rotary International commits over $300 million to eradicate polio in Nigeria Rotary International Foundation
Has committed over $300 million in recent years to support Nigeria’s fight against polio. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mark Maloney, made this known on Thursday during a symbolic polio immunisation event at the Jahi Primary Health Centre in Abuja. Mr Maloney reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to eradicating the disease. “We have committed, over the course of many years, over $300m to polio eradication in Nigeria alone. And we are pleased to work with the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, we are very pleased with the work that they are doing,” he said.
Nigeria: Inflation rate rises for fourth consecutive month | Africanews
In December, Nigeria’s inflation rate increased for the fourth consecutive month, hitting 34.80 percent, according to data from the statistics agency. The figure is up from 34.60% in November. Explaining the reasoning behind the increase, the agency cited a boost in demand linked to the festive period. The National Bureau of Statistics stated that food inflation was 39.84% year-on-year in December, compared with 39.93% in November, as a result of price increases for items including sweet potatoes, rice and beer.
Nigeria’s air force investigates civilian deaths after air strike | Reuters
Nigeria’s air force said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties during a weekend air strike that targeted armed gangs in the northwest, the latest military operation where innocent people may have been accidentally killed. The army and air force have increasingly used aerial assaults against the growing threat in the northwest and central region posed by armed criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, that kill villagers and carry out mass kidnappings.
Austrian woman kidnapped in Niger, say sources | Reuters
An Austrian woman was kidnapped in the desert town of Agadez in central Niger on Saturday, two Nigerien security sources said. One of the sources said the woman was bundled into a 4×4 by unknown assailants in the Fada district of Agadez, which lies on the edge of the Sahara desert. Austria’s European and International Affairs Ministry said on Sunday its embassy responsible for Niger had been informed about the possible kidnapping.
19 wedding guests die in Plateau accident – Daily Trust
A tragic accident at the weekend in the Kwana Maciji area in the Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State claimed the lives of 19 people and injured 11 others who came for a wedding ceremony in the State. The Chairman of the Pankshin Local Government Area Emergency Management Committee, John Dasar, confirmed the people came from Kano State to attend a wedding in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and were returning home when an
Single-use text books: Parents allege racketeering in private schools – Daily Trust
Parents have called on the federal government to checkmate the single-use textbook practice in private schools across the country. They accused schools’ proprietors of profiting from the practice, which they viewed as racketeering. Single-use textbooks are designed for one-time use, with students writing directly in them. The books cannot be reused or transferred to other students after the academic year.
Our airstrikes not targeted at civilians – Military – Daily Trust
The military high command says all the airstrikes that have been released so far on the criminals terrorising the country by the troops of the Nigerian Air Force attached to various theatres of operations are not targeted at civilians. It also urged communities to allow military investigations before concluding on the nature of any military airstrikes, while calling for patience and cooperation in verifying outcome of all air incidents.
Livestock development: Need for synergy between states, federal government – Daily Trust Livestock is an indispensable part of the agricultural value chain. Globally, livestock contributes about 40 per cent to the agricultural GDP, and its relevance is even more pronounced in regions where pastoralism and mixed farming are common. Livestock provides meat, milk, eggs, leather, wool and other products that are crucial for both domestic consumption and export.
FG confirms bird flu outbreaks in Kano – Daily Trust
The Federal Government has confirmed the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Kano State. The outbreaks is reported to have affected various bird species like layers, ducks, guinea fowl, and turkeys. A circular signed by Dr Taiwo Olasoju on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria said the risk of the disease spreading during this time was high.
Flood: UMTH to plant 10,000 to restore ecosystem – Daily Trust
The management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital has reiterated its readiness to plant 10,000 trees to enhance ecosystem and fight climate change following recent flood in the Maiduguri and its environs. The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Ahmed Ahijo stated this during the flag-off of tree planting at the UMTH at the weekend.
Lassa fever claims 14 in Taraba – Daily Trust
Fourteen people have died in an outbreak of Lassa fever in Taraba State. Daily Trust learnt that the deaths and the cases were recorded in the state within the last three months. The Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo Dr Kuni Joseph, disclosed the alarming figures, noting that six of the deaths occurred last week.
Extortion: Police checkpoints reduced to 4 on Seme border corridor – Yerwa Express News
The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, says that security stakeholders have approved four checkpoints to curb proliferation of check-points and extortion along Seme border corridor. The Zonal Public Relations Officer, ZPRO, CSP. Umma Ayuba, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Nigerian army says 76 Islamist militants killed in Borno state | Reuters
Nigerian troops have killed 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the country’s northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicenter.
Sink or swim: Africa’s crucial maritime milestones in 2025
This year marks the end of the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015-2025) – an African Union (AU) initiative to promote the sustainable use and governance of Africa’s marine and coastal resources. By 2025, the continent should have benefitted from insights into best practices for combatting maritime threats, protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and assessing the strengthening of institutional capacities.
Several chickens killed as bird flu hits Kano
On Wednesday, The Gwale Veterinary Clinic confirmed the bird flu outbreak in Kano, which resulted in the death of 32 birds in the area. The officer in charge of the clinic, Abdullahi Gaya, confirmed this in an interview with reporters in Kano State. Mr Gaya said the index case of the disease was first observed on 7 December 2024, when a young man brought dead guinea fowl to the clinic. He said that after a presumptiSve diagnosis of the dead bird, its sample was taken to the National Reference Laboratory in Jos, where the disease was confirmed. Mr Gaya said the guinea fowl died alongside several other birds, including chickens and ducks, which cohabited in his backyard.
Eight die in Niger State road accident
A tragic road accident on the Batati/Lanle road in Niger State has claimed the lives of eight farmers. The accident involved a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla car and a tanker trailer. It occurred at 8 p.m. on Monday when the Toyota Corolla, attempting to overtake another vehicle, collided with the tanker heading to Lagos to load fuel. The victims, identified as farmers who had relocated from Niger Zone B to Dasu village in Lavun Local Government Area due to insecurity, were crushed in the crash.
Peace and Security
ANALYSIS: Francophone Africa is abandoning France. What went wrong?
To usher Ivorians into the new year, President Alassane Ouattara announced that French troops in Côte d’Ivoire will hand over the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA), a French army base located in Port-Bouet, Abidjan, to the Ivorian military starting in January 2025. “We can be proud of our army, whose modernisation is now effective. It is within this context that we have decided on the concerted and organised withdrawal of French forces,” Mr Ouattara said in his speech.
France hands over Abeché base ahead of troop withdrawal | Africanews
The French government has just handed over its detachment camp in the city of Abeché to Chad. The Chadian Minister of Defence, his delegation, and French officials participated in the ceremony. For the French military, the result of many years of presence in northern Chad has been strengthened through strong ties, not only with the Chadian soldiers but also with the local population. Colonel Boris POMIROL, Commander of French Forces in the Sahel said: “These ties are a living testament to the friendship that unites our two peoples and, despite the departure of our troops, this friendship will endure. Today, after so many years in Abeché, the situation is different.
Africa’s peace parks can promote development
Protecting Africa’s wildlife is essential. However, protecting indigenous populations and local communities is equally important. The traditional use of wildlife by Indigenous peoples is often ignored and even criminalised; history is littered with cases of evictions, forced removals and open conflict between communities and conservation authorities. But when communities and protected areas benefit each other, economic and human development can occur through sectors such as conservation and tourism.
How Boko Haram’s new strategy produced 60k child fighters – CDS – Daily Trust
More than 60,000 children are among over 120,000 Boko Haram members who have surrendered, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has said. Speaking on Monday during an interview with Arise News, Musa explained that not all individuals associated with Boko Haram were willing participants, as many were conscripted or enslaved.
Peace deal: Uba Sani Recommends Kaduna Model to north west governors – Daily Trust
Governor Uba Sani has advised states that are facing security challenges to adopt the Kaduna Sate Model to tackle the problem because the non-kinetic approach has started yielding results. He maintained that peace has now returned to Birnin Gwari which had been facing insecurity for several years, adding that economic activities have started picking up in the area.
In Northwest Nigeria, Communities Must Pay Over ₦200 Million to Terrorists ‘for Peace to Reign’ – HumAngle It’s another season of violent impositions, blood taxes, and rural terrorism for locals on the shore of Zamfara, North West Nigeria. Different terror groups have run amok, invoking violence and bloodshed in many civilian communities of the state. The terrorists have asked the affected towns and villages to buy their safety by paying multimillion naira protection levies.
2025 Budget: Military expects bountiful harvest from NASS – CDS – Yerwa Express News The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military expects bountiful harvest as they commence the 2025 budget defence before the National Assembly. Mr Musa said this at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Regimental and Award Night for Officers of the Armed
Seven locals from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, northeastern Nigeria, were abducted by unidentified kidnappers on Thursday, Jan. 9. Among the abductees were two displaced persons from the Muna Kumburi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Makeshift Camp, who went into the bush to fetch firewood. What should have been a simple act of survival turned into a nightmare when unidentified kidnappers ambushed the group.
Police arrest 3 gun manufacturers in Benue – Daily Trust
The police in Benue State have arrested three suspects from different locations of the state for their alleged involvement in arms manufacturing for kidnappers and armed robbers. State Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabnet, who addressed journalists in Makurdi, said feats were made in some operations carried out in the past week by operatives of the command.
Unseen and unheard: Nigeria’s children of conflict – Daily Trust
My novel, ‘When We Were Fireflies’, centres around a man, Yarima Lalo, going about his usual business when he suddenly realises he might have been murdered twice before. He eventually embarks on a journey to some of Nigeria’s conflict towns and cities to trace what he believes are the remains of his past lives and makes startling discoveries about himself, his country, and our history of hate, violence and love.
Humanitarian
‘What my surviving brother told me on Abuja school explosion’ – Daily Trust
A brother to one of the survivors of the explosion at the Abuja Modern Almajiris school has narrated how the device was discovered, which led to the killing of two people as well as injuring two others. The incident that took place at Kuchibuyi community located on the outskirts of Kubwa town penultimate Monday, had led to the closure of the school indefinitely, with its proprietor still in police custody.
IDPs need our attention – Daily Trust
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria represent one of the most vulnerable populations in the country. Conflicts, violence, natural disasters, and other crises have uprooted millions of Nigerians from their homes, stripping them of their livelihoods and subjecting them to unimaginable hardships.
Hunger Ravages Inmates in Nigeria’s Overcrowded Prisons – HumAngle
Ibrahim* went from earning an honest living as a factory worker, supporting his family, to clawing for scraps of garri in a sweltering, overcrowded prison cell. Within a week of entering the Goron Dutse Correctional Facility in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria, he developed a severe skin infection. Two months later, he was almost unrecognisable. Once fair and plump, as shown in the photo on his old identity card, he now appeared skinny, his skin marred by rashes that covered half his body.
One Girl’s Ordeal With Sexual Abuse, Teenage Pregnancy in Northeastern Nigeria – HumAngle
When Fatima Hassan* met Jamil at the Islamic and Arabic Study Centre in the Pompomari area of Damaturu, Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria, in 2018, they became close friends. Although only 17 years old at the time, her friendship with Jamil, who was older, became cordial with a bright, promising future. Fascinated by his charisma and devotion to their faith, Fatima’s family welcomed Jamil into their home.
Mobilization and economic development
The 16th Africa Eco Race in Senegal comes to a close | Africanews
The 16th edition of the Africa Eco Race ended in a spectacular fashion at the iconic shores of Lac Rose. After a symbolic final stage along the beach with mass starts in successive waves, competitors were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd celebrating the heroes who braved the desert. This year’s competition delivered thrilling action, marked by narrow margins between the leaders in several categories. Until the final stages, nothing was decided, and the twists and turns kept followers and participants on the edge of their seats.
CISLAC lauds return of $52.88m assets, urges transparency, accountability – Daily Trust The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the repatriation of $52.88m in recovered assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the United States government. It praised the collaboration between the Nigerian and US governments in achieving this milestone and stressed the need for transparent and accountable utilization of the funds.
FG seeks to end taxation of poverty with tax reform bill – FIRS – Daily Trust
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has stated that the proposed tax reform bill was introduced to standardise Nigeria’s tax collection and end the taxing of poor Nigerians. Speaking during a stakeholder’s engagement to strategise on cascading the merit of the bills to those at the grassroots, the head, Fiscal and Tax reform Implementation at FIRS, Olufemi Olayande, said the bill would increase revenue to state governments and not reduce it as erroneously claimed.
Nigeria: Inflation rate rises for fourth consecutive month | Africanews
In December, Nigeria’s inflation rate increased for the fourth consecutive month, hitting 34.80 percent, according to data from the statistics agency. The figure is up from 34.60% in November. Explaining the reasoning behind the increase, the agency cited a boost in demand linked to the festive period. The National Bureau of Statistics stated that food inflation was 39.84% year-on-year in December, compared with 39.93% in November, as a result of price increases for items including sweet potatoes, rice and beer. Inflation spiked after the country’s president devalued its currency and slashed subsidies in 2023, in a bid to revive economic growth and bolster public finances.
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