Regional News

Chad welcomes back French military less than two years ending defence agreement | Africanews Less than two years after France handed back its last military base in Chad, the two countries appear to be rebuilding their military ties. N’dajema cut its defence cooperation agreement with Paris at the end of 2024 after 65 years of partnership. Before the agreement ended, France had around 1,000 troops in the Central African country, providing intelligence

HRW says Russian paramilitaries killed 9 civilians in Mali | Africanews Human Rights Watch on Thursday said Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps, which is supporting Mali in its fight against insurgents, killed nine civilians, including four children, in an operation last month. More than 100 Russian fighters, accompanied by several Malian soldiers, stormed a village in the central Mopti region at dawn on July 10 looking for jihadists, HRW said. Bombori

40 Feared Dead As Boat Capsizes in Sokoto – Daily Trust About 40 people are suspected to have lost their lives after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The incident occurred while the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms. Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 years.

Nigeria’s federal government moves to decriminalise attempted suicide | Africanews In Nigeria, where mental health issues remain largely stigmatised, the federal government has plans to decriminalise attempted suicides. Trying to take one’s life is currently punishable by up to one year in prison under the colonial-era Criminal Code, while the Penal Code provides for up to a year in jail, a fine, or both. Health Minister Ali Pate said the existing legal framework treated people experiencing severe psychological distress as offenders rather than persons

Afrophobia: 90 Nigerians killed in South Africa in 4 yrs –Minister – Daily Trust Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has disclosed that about 90 Nigerians have been killed in Afrophobic violence since June 2022. He disclosed this on Tuesday at a Virtual Roundtable on “South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative

Insecurity: Tinubu gives committee 90 days to produce 5-year defence plan – Daily Trust President Bola Tinubu has approved thepreparation of a comprehensive national threat assessment and a five-year strategic defence operations plan to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security capabilities. Tinubu gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State

Over 20 murdered as Killers break into houses in Plateau – Daily Trust Over 20 people have been reportedly killed in Binper community, Bwai District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack happened less than a week after three persons were killed, while Fulani and Mwaghavul communities accused each other of arson.

Cement prices manipulated in Nigeria, says FCCPC – Daily Trust The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says preliminary findings from its investigation into the cement industry indicate possible price manipulation in the market. The findings are contained in a 40-page field report compiled after a three-month cross-border study by the Commission’s Anticompetitive Practices Department (ACP).

Ex-servicemen protest blocked at Defence Ministry Armed police and soldiers on Wednesday blocked retired military personnel from converging in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the ex-servicemen had gathered to protest the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.

2027: INEC projects over 100 million registered voters The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected that Nigeria’s registered voting population will surpass 100 million ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

Niger raises alarm over cracks in Kangimi dam, warns of impending danger – Daily Trust The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has raised the alarm over reports of structural distress and visible cracks at the Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Director General of the agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, in a statement on Tuesday, warned of potential flood risks to downstream

Apollo cases confirmed in Yobe as residents raise alarm – Daily Trust The Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, has confirmed cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apollo, amid concerns over its spread in the town.
The hospital urged residents to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and observe preventive measures to contain the infection.

SPECIAL REPORT: In Jigawa communities, nutrition programmes offer hope amid child hunger It was 11 a.m., and the sun was full over Kyaurawa, a remote community in the Birnin Kudu LGA of Jigawa State. Along the narrow, rough pathway surrounded by dry bushes, scattered mud houses and isolated compounds appear intermittently across the quiet landscape.

Flood destroys homes, fish ponds, farms in Niger – Daily Trust Homes, fish ponds and vast farmlands have been destroyed by flooding in Muye and adjoining communities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. The flood was reportedly caused by the overflow of River Gurara following heavy rainfall recently. The Etsu Muye, Alhaji Salihu Muhammadu, made this known during an inspection of the progress of construction of a water control wall being undertaken by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) at the cost of N700 million.

I’m the First Woman To Carry AK-47 In Kwara, I Hunted Armed Robbers — Retired DSP – Daily Trust For 35 years, Alhaja Medinat Ronke Garuba built a reputation as one of Kwara State’s toughest police officers. Colleagues and suspects alike called her the “Iron Lady” because of her uncompromising approach to fighting crime. She says she is the

Group demands restructuring of Nigeria into 17 autonomous regions – Daily Trust The Concerned Citizens Assembly has called for the restructuring of Nigeria into 17 autonomous regions, with substantial powers over their internal affairs, regional policing and economic resources. The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of the group’s three-day deliberations in Abuja.

SPECIAL REPORT: Before they could finish school, Nigeria’s health system made them mothers On a Thursday morning in March, in the Agbowo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Bisola* sat outside her home with her child strapped to her back. She continuously bent over to adjust the baby as she read her book for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

Nigeria election 2027: Can Tinubu win a second term as cost of living bites? | Africanews Campaigning kicks off in Nigeria Wednesday, five months ahead of elections set to be dominated by crushing inflation and President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. Africa’s most populous country is straining from years of economic turmoil and violence from armed groups, though a divided opposition works in favour of Tinubu, seeking a second term. “The economy is the biggest issue. That’s the one thing that cuts across different parts of the country and it continues to affect security and development concerns,” said Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, author of Nigeria politics newsletter The Bellwether.

Mali jails government critic for ‘discrediting state’ | Africanews A Malian court sentenced on Monday a prominent broadcaster and an influencer, who had both criticised the ruling junta, to seven years in jail, an AFP journalist saw. The sentences are the latest issued to Malians critical of the unstable west African country’s military government, which came to power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Television and radio commentator Mohamed

Chad opposition figure, Succes Masra, calls for reconciliation after his release | Africanews  Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby on Friday pardoned jailed ex-prime minister and leader of the main opposition party Succes Masra and eight other opposition leaders. Deby has led Chad since 2021 after taking charge of a military transition following the death of his father, who was killed by rebels after 30 years leading the central African country. Masra, one of the president’s fiercest critics, was sentenced to 20 years in prison a year ago, convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre.

Burkina Faso imposes military training on journalists | Africanews More than 40 journalists in Burkina Faso have taken part in a military-style “patriotism” training course imposed by the authoritarian ruling junta. Burkina Faso, like several of its neighbours, has for more than a decade been hit by deadly violence by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Under captain Ibrahim Traore who seized power in a 2022 coup, the military-led authorities now require public and private media outlets to participate in the annual “patriotic

Peace and Security

Chad’s quiet return to French military support | ISS Africa Chad’s rapprochement clashes with its recent emphasis on national sovereignty and risks reviving insecurity among neighbours and disillusionment at home. Chad and France appear to be reviving a longstanding military partnership that N’Djamena abruptly ended in November 2024.

Gov. Buni Pledges Stronger Lake Chad Security Cooperation in N’Djamena  – Northern Nigerian Express Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has pledged stronger regional cooperation to address insecurity, displacement and economic challenges across the Lake Chad Basin. The governor made the commitment on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during visits to the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Multinational Joint Task Force headquarters in

UN, NSCDC Partner to Combat Illegal Mining Terror Funding The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called for deeper collaboration with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals as concerns mount over the growing links between illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism across Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel.

Cyber attacks greatest threats to Nigeria’s election – Gen. Musa – Daily Trust The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has said cyber attacks are the greatest threats to election security, adding that security threats have evolved from physical to cyberspace. The minister stated this on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 8th edition of Blueprint Newspapers Public Lecture/ Impact and Awards, with the theme: “Security Challenges and Integrity of

UN says $50 million ransom fueled Al-Qaeda offensive in Mali | Africanews The United Nations said a ransom of about 50 million dollars, paid in late 2025 for the release of a hostage in Mali, helped finance Al-Qaeda-linked militants and their offensive across West Africa. According to a new UN report, most of the money was redistributed to fighters in the Sahel, while some was passed on to Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the Arabian Peninsula and to the group’s central command. The report does not name the hostage or confirm who made the payment, though regional sources say the United Arab Emirates paid the ransom.

Humanitarain

EU gives Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR €2.3m to fight cholera outbreak – Daily Trust The European Commission has allocated €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian funding to Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad to support them in addressing the ongoing cholera epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 61,000 cholera cases were reported in the African Region in

UN warns of funding deficit as aid shortages threaten millions in Nigeria – Daily Trust The United Nations has raised an urgent alarm over a critical $159 million funding gap confronting Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, warning that dwindling global aid leaves hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Nigerians at immediate risk of losing lifesaving support. Marking World Humanitarian Day in Maiduguri, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in

UNICEF demands action to free 78 abducted Borno schoolchildren The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on the Federal and Borno State governments to expedite action towards securing the release of about 78 schoolchildren abducted in Lassa and Mussa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state. Recall that on May 16, 42 students and pupils were abducted after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

‘How I escaped meal that killed my fellow Almajirai’ – Daily Trust Four Almajiri students have died in Kano after falling ill following the consumption of suspected contaminated fish, while another student is receiving treatment in hospital. The deceased were identified as Abdulfatah Mohammed, 15; Yusuf Nuhu, 16; Buhari Iliyasu, 14; and Ibrahim Muhammad, 22.

FG, EU strengthen tracking of violence against women – Daily Trust The EU Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme in Nigeria has backed the deployment of Nigeria’s first standardised justice-sector Violence Against Women (VAW) Reporting Platform developed by the Federal Ministry of Justice to strengthen accountability, case tracking and access to justice.

Only 40% of Healthcare Facilities Meet Basic Sanitation Stan Only four in 10 healthcare facilities worldwide meet basic sanitation standards for accessible and usable toilets, the United Nations said Tuesday, while 11 per cent have no sanitation services at all. In a report, the UN’s health and children’s agencies said only 40 per cent of healthcare facilities last year had toilets that adequately met the needs of patients and staff, including

Mobilization and economic development

Questions over N15.8trn subsidy savings – Daily Trust The Federal Government yesterday said the removal of the petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the naira have generated N15.8 trillion in savings for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, says the money

Food prices rise as inflation slows – Daily Trust Nigeria’s food inflation rose in July despite a series of interventions by the federal government to boost domestic production, reduce input costs and ease pressure on consumers. This has sparked fresh concerns about the effectiveness of measures designed to make food more affordable, Daily Trust reports.

FG, Meta Launch AI Academy to Boost Nigeria’s Tech Talent The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has partnered with Meta, the 3 Million Technical Talent programme and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria to launch an artificial intelligence academy aimed at expanding Nigeria’s pool of AI talent and strengthening its technology ecosystem.

How to boost Nigeria’s oil growth – TotalEnergies MD – Daily Trust The Country Chair and Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer, has said Nigeria’s oil and gas industry must move beyond potential and convert ongoing reforms into concrete projects, production growth and long-term value for the country. Speaking at the 5th PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) 2026, yesterday, Bouyer said

Nigeria’s economy to grow by 4.2% in 2026 – NESG – Daily Trust The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has projected Nigeria’s economy to grow by 4.2 per cent in 2026, citing improved performance in the oil, manufacturing, agricultural and services sectors. In its outlook released on Wednesday, the NESG said economic growth is expected to strengthen to 4.5 percent in the second half of 2026, bringing full-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth to approximately 4.2 per cent.

Africa urged to leverage China’s zero-tariff policy – Daily Trust African countries have been urged to leverage China’s zero-tariff to diversify their economies, expand export markets and accelerate industrial development. The call was made on Wednesday at an international seminar titled, “China’s Zero-Tariff Treatment for African Countries and Its Implications for Structural Economic Transformation in Africa,” organised by