Regional News

ISWAP terrorists acquire more drones, plan coordinated attacks on Nigerian troops The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has significantly expanded its drone capability and is finalising plans to launch coordinated aerial attacks on Nigerian military positions in parts of Yobe and Borno states, PREMIUM TIMES can report. A confidential security assessment sighted by PREMIUM TIMES indicates that the terrorists intend to deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) against military formations and patrol teams operating in key conflict areas

Chad: at least six killed in fighting between rebel group and armed forces | Africanews Clashes between the Chadian army and the MPRD rebel group have killed at least six people in the country’s south, both sides said Wednesday. The fighting erupted Tuesday morning in Korbol, in the Moyen-Chari region, leaving three soldiers dead and 10 wounded, the army said in a statement. MPRD leader Luc Beyam Bebha said the rebels had lost three “martyrs” and had two fighters wounded. Chad has been ruled for more than three decades by the same family

Borno Gov’t to Recruit 1,000 Secondary School Teachers — Northern Nigerian Express The Borno State Government has approved the recruitment of 1,000 teachers to strengthen teaching and learning in public secondary schools across the state. The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, announced the initiative, saying the teachers would be deployed to 139 functional secondary schools statewide.

Nigeria, Turkey Deepen Ties, Move To Remove Visa Bottlenecks – Daily Trust Nigeria and Turkey have agreed to enhance bilateral relations, with a focus on visa facilitation, business mobility, and consular matters. The agreement followed a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, who paid a courtesy visit.

11 Terrorists Surrender in Borno as Troops Kill Eight Eleven terrorists fighters have surrendered to troops of operation Hadin Kai, as soldiers killed eight others and arrested two insurgent’s logistics supplier in Borno State. This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Media Information Officer Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba. According to him, the fighters surrendered along with their AK 47 rifles and assorted ammunition.

Two killed in bandit attack on Sokoto community Two people were killed and several others abducted in Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a bandit attack on Monday. The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that the attack was suspected to have been carried out by gunmen allegedly loyal to bandit leader Bello Turji.

Genocide Claim: Pushback Over FG’s N12.8bn US Lobby Deal – Daily Trust Opposition, ex-diplomats, and many Nigerians on Wednesday reacted to the news that the Federal Government has entered into a $9 million lobbying agreement with a United States firm to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and sustain

Niger records 430 fire outbreaks in 2025 — Fire service – Yerwa Express News The Controller, Federal Fire Service, FFS, Niger Command, AC Alikali Mohammed, says no fewer than 430 fire outbreaks were recorded in different locations in Niger, between January and December 2025. Mr Mohammad disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Minna, adding that officers and men of the command,

Terrorists kill 14 people in Cameroon’s northwest, government says – TRT Afrika Terrorists killed 14 people, half of them children, in an attack in Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest region on Wednesday, state media reported. The deadly attacks occurred in the village of Guidado.

Army Foils Boat Hijacking, Rescues 18 Passengers on Nigeria–Cameroon Coastal Ways – PRNigeria News Army Foils Boat Hijacking, Rescues 18 Passengers on Nigeria–Cameroon Waterways Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade have rescued 18 passengers, including two infants, following a daring operation against suspected sea pirates who hijacked a passenger boat en route from Nigeria to Cameroon. The incident occurred on January 11, 2026, when armed pirates, operating with two

UPDATED: US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, 74 other countries The US government has suspended immigrant visa processing for Nigerians seeking to travel to the US, marking the latest in a series of travel restrictions targeting the country. This means the US will temporarily stop accepting and processing immigration visa applications from Nigerians. The suspension also affects Russia, Somalia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and a host of other countries. Fox News reported on Wednesday that a

Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie accuses Lagos hospital of negligence after son’s death | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | The Guardian The Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a Lagos hospital of negligence after the death of one of her 21-month-old twin boys. Nkanu Nnamdi died on 6 January after a brief illness. He was one of twin boys born to Adichie and Ivara Esege, a doctor, in 2024 by surrogacy, eight years after the birth of their first child, a girl.

African cities must rise to meet the climate crisis | ISS Africa Multilateral climate action and funding faced a major setback last week when the United States (US) announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and 65 other international bodies. It had already withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) in March 2025, and did not send

Nigerian prison’s total inmate population now to 81,710 – NBS – Yerwa Express News The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, says the total inmate population rose from 69,946 in 2017 to 81,710 in Q2 2025. The NBS said this in its Nigerian Correctional Service Statistics for 2017 to Q2 2025 released on Wednesday in Abuja.

Offline and silenced: Africa’s quiet rise of internet repression | ISS Africa On 29 October 2025, election day, a nationwide internet outage cut online communication across Tanzania, raising concerns about electoral transparency. This is increasingly common across Africa. Ethiopia especially has one of the most extensive and systematic histories of internet shutdowns in Africa, recording around 30 from 2016–

African coaches to the fore at Cup of Nations | Reuters TANGIERS, Morocco, Jan 12 (Reuters) – Four African coaches will take charge of the semi-finalists at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, disproving the popular local notion that they are given few opportunities on their own continent. Pape Bouna Thiaw leads Senegal against Egypt, coached by their prolific former striker Hossam Hassan, in the first semi-final in Tangiers on Wednesday, followed by hosts

Terrorists in Borno Executed IDPs After Families Couldn’t Raise Ransom – HumAngle Jidda Hadu is married and has six children who depend entirely on him for survival. His younger brother, Mohammed Hadu, in his mid-20s, is single. Together, they take care of their immediate and extended families.  On Dec. 11, 2025, the two brothers set out with eight others into the sprawling bush of Mafa Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

India Deports Nigerian National for Drug Trafficking Indian authorities have deported a Nigerian national, Victor Obasi, for illegal stay in the country and alleged drug trafficking. According to the Times of India, Victor, a resident of New Delhi, was apprehended by the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing in the Tolichowki area of Hyderabad late last month. The police were said to have intercepted him moving under what they described as suspicious circumstances.

Trump Order May Delay 5,000 Nigerian Immigrants to US No fewer than 5,000 intending Nigerian immigrants to the United States may be delayed following the new visa restrictions imposed on Nigeria and 74 other countries by President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Data from the US consulate in Lagos show that 5,626 immigrant visas were issued in 2023, up from 4,219 in 2022—an increase of 1,407 visas within a year.

Niger revokes licenses of truckers refusing to deliver fuel to Mali | Africanews Niger has revoked the licenses of around thirty transport operators and truck drivers for refusing to transport fuel to neighboring Mali, which is facing shortages due to a jihadist blockade. Niger and Mali, a landlocked country ruled by a junta, are allied with Burkina Faso, which is also run by the military, and all three are facing an escalation in jihadist attacks. Mali experienced a severe fuel shortage in October and November after militants from the Group

Over 500 Cattle Rustled As Bandits Raid Zamfara Market – Daily Trust Bandits bearing sophisticated weapons have rustled more than 500 cattle at Kasuwar Daji Market in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State. The state chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Comrade Aminu Garba, said the incident was not the first of its kind, noting that a similar attack occurred about four years ago.

CAF bans Eto’o for four matches over AFCON conduct | Reuters an 15 (Reuters) – Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o has been handed a four-match ban for alleged misconduct during the team’s 2-0 defeat by hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations last Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in a statement. Eto’o was reportedly seen making an angry gesture over refereeing decisions in the presence of CAF President

Peace and Security

ANALYSIS: What Trump’s new US National Security Strategy means for Africa In November 2025, the United States (US) released its new National Security Strategy describing how the country intends to protect its ‘core national interests.’ These interests not only include ensuring the US “remains the world’s strongest, richest, most powerful, and most successful country for decades to come,” but also articulate what it wants “in and from” the rest of the world.

Trump says there could be more US strikes in Nigeria, New York Times reports | Reuters WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said there could be more strikes by the U.S. in Nigeria if Christians are killed in the African nation, even as Nigeria has previously denied Christians there are subjected to systematic persecution. Trump’s comments in an interview with the New York Times were published on the newspaper’s website on Thursday.

Thousands of Nigerians flee after gang leader threatens to kill them | Reuters KANO, Nigeria, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Thousands of people fled their homes in northwestern Nigeria this week after the leader of one of the armed gangs in the region ordered them out in retaliation for a security raid, officials and residents said on Wednesday. Officials say Bello Turji leads one of many armed gangs which

US Delivers Military Supplies To Nigeria – Daily Trust The United States has delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral security cooperation between both countries. The delivery was confirmed by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which is responsible for US military operations on the continent.

Katsina Defends Release Of 70 Bandits – Daily Trust The Katsina State Government has justified its plan to facilitate the release of 70 persons facing trial for alleged involvement in banditry, describing it as part of efforts towards consolidating peace deals with armed groups operating across the state. The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the decision was aimed at sustaining peace accords reached between affected communities and “repentant bandits.”

 Soldiers’ Deployment For Internal Security Weakening Police – Buratai – Daily Trust A former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Monday said the increasing deployment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for internal security is weakening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and other civilian security agencies. Buratai, a retired Lieutenant-General, stated this at National Defence College, Abuja, when he delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebrations and Remembrance Day’s lecture.

Nigeria security votes: N525bn budget fails to curb killings States across Nigeria earmarked a combined N525.23bn for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of figures extracted from their approved budget documents. The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.

NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Timbuktu Triangle, Yobe Axis – PRNigeria News NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Timbuktu Triangle, Yobe Axis The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has neutralised more than 10 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during precision air interdiction operations in parts of Borno and Yobe states, including the volatile Timbuktu Triangle.

Bala Mohammed, terrorism allegation and the lessons of history, By Emma Agu According to George Santayana, a Spanish-American philosopher and poet, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” History, they say, is a stern teacher—unyielding, relentless, and unforgiving to those who ignore its warnings. In politics, this truth is axiomatic: those who forget history are condemned to repeat its tragedies. Today, as Nigeria navigates the treacherous waters of governance, the unfolding drama around Bala Mohammed eerily mirrors a chapter from our past.

Gowon Urges NDC to Prepare Officers for Modern Warfare, Democratic Protection – PRNigeria News Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), has praised the National Defence College (NDC) for its pivotal role in training dedicated officers for the country’s Armed Forces, while urging the institution to equip officers to protect democracy and counter modern security threats.

Three Peace Accords Later, Tshobo and Bachama Still Clash in Adamawa  – HumAngle It was December 23, 2025. A group of young men mounted motorcycles and rode through the warring communities of Lamurde Local Government Area in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria, to deliver the governor’s message. A peace accord had been signed, they announced, and all hostilities between the Bachama and Tshobo tribes had ceased.

NAF Boosts Airpower as AWDC Commandant Visits Operation Hadin Kai – PRNigeria News The Nigerian Air Force has intensified efforts to strengthen airpower capabilities and joint operations in the North-East as the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Jibia, paid an operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri.

Nigeria, Poland Explore Defence Cooperation to Boost Security – PRNigeria News Nigeria, Poland Explore Defence Cooperation to Boost Security Nigeria and Poland have opened talks on strengthening defence cooperation as part of efforts to enhance security within Nigeria and across the West African sub-region. The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, disclosed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Defence Minister: FG Does Not Pay Ransom For Kidnapped Victims – Daily Trust The Federal Government has restated its position that it does not pay ransom for abducted victims. This was as it insisted that security forces rely on military pressure and intelligence operations to secure their release. The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, made this clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa monitored in Kaduna, amid persistent public assumptions that ransom payments are made to free kidnapped victims, especially schoolchildren.

Humanitarian

UNHCR: 21,000 Unregistered Refugees in Nigeria Lack Aid At least 21,807 foreign refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence in neighbouring countries remain unregistered in Nigeria, denying them access to food assistance, healthcare and other essential services, the United Nations has revealed. The figures, contained in the November 2025 UNHCR dashboard obtained by The PUNCH, show that the unregistered asylum seekers, predominantly come

In Adamawa Hospitals, Poor Digital Systems Frustrate Medical Care  On a sunny morning in October 2025, 42-year-old Fatima Ibrahim walked into the outpatient department of the Adamawa Specialist Hospital in Yola, northeastern Nigeria. Fatima had been vomiting for days and felt increasingly weak. She said she believed going to the hospital was the safest option; however, her consultation with the doctor was brief. After asking a few questions and

Mobilization and economic development

World Bank Retains Nigeria’s Growth Forecast At 4.4% For 2026–2027 – Daily Trust The World Bank has retained its projection that Nigeria’s economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in both 2026 and 2027, reflecting sustained optimism about the country’s medium-term outlook despite lingering structural challenges. The projection is contained in the January 2026 edition of the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report.

BREAKING: Nigerians to pay 7.5% VAT on bank transfers, USSD transactions from January 19 – Yerwa Express News Nigerians will begin paying a 7.5 percent Value Added Tax on selected banking services, including mobile transfers and USSD transactions, from January 19, 2026, following a new regulatory directive by tax authorities.

Nigeria bets on $2 billion fund to boost energy transition | Reuters LAGOS, Jan 13 (Reuters) – Nigeria is betting on green finance to drive its energy transition with the president unveiling plans for a $2 billion climate fund on Tuesday, saying oversubscribed green bonds were proof of investor appetite. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit, President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria’s

Nigeria to revise inflation reporting after artificial spike expected in December | Africanews Nigeria’s statistics authority says it will revise its inflation reporting methodology after data due next week is expected to show an artificial spike in December inflation, officials and economists said. The expected jump comes from a technical quirk in how price data are weighted late in the year — a factor that could temporarily push headline inflation to more than double October levels. The National Bureau of Statistics

Nigeria signs economic agreement with UAE, to co-host Investopia | Premium Times Nigeria President Bola Tinubu announced on Tuesday that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, an initiative aimed at attracting global investors and accelerating sustainable investment inflows. He made this announcement at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), on the sidelines of which Nigeria also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE to deepen trade and cooperation in renewable energy,

Quarter of developing countries poorer than in 2019, World Bank finds | World Bank | The Guardian A quarter of countries in the developing world are poorer than they were in 2019 before the Covid pandemic, the World Bank has found. The Washington-based organisation said a large group of low-income countries, many in sub-Saharan Africa, had suffered a negative shock in the six years to the end of last year.