Regional News

How ECOWAS can make its new counter-terrorism force effective | ISS Africa In February, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) chiefs of staff endorsed the establishment of a regional force to combat terrorism and insecurity. The force falls within the framework of the ECOWAS Standby Force as provided for by the African Union (AU).

Germany pulls embassy staff out of Niger citing concerns over growing jihadist violence | Africanews Germany has temporarily withdrawn its diplomatic staff from Niger over concerns about the security situation in the country.Berlin cited fears that Western nationals are prime targets for kidnappings carried out by terrorist groups and criminal gangs. The United States ordered its own embassy staff to leave the country in late January. Monitoring groups say

ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori over death of 75 terrorists – Daily Post Nigeria A cleric working with the ISWAP terrorists has issued threats of a possible attack on Malam Fatori following the recent neutralization of 75 terrorists in a failed attack on March 18 2026. Security expert, Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a report he posted on X, citing military sources.

Mali frees 100 jihadists to end fuel convoy attacks More than 100 suspected jihadists have been freed in recent days in Mali as part of an agreement to stop attacks on fuel convoys that have asphyxiated the impoverished West African country, official and security sources told AFP on Sunday. Since last September, jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and

Why Security Operatives Remain Vulnerable To Ambushes — Retired Colonel – Daily Trust A retired military officer and security adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state, Col. Ahmed Usman (Rtd), has raised concerns over the increasing rate of ambushes on Nigerian security operatives, attributing the trend to the current strategies in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

US troops in Nigeria using drones to detect and disrupt terrorist activity | Africanews US military trainers deployed to Nigeria are using high-powered drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering, the Nigerian military said on Saturday. The drones are being deployed from an air base in Bauchi state. Although capable of strikes, they are only being used to detect, track and disrupt terrorist activity, according to a military official. About 100 US troops

5 Family Members Die In Yobe Auto Crash – Daily Trust No fewer than five members of the same family have died in a tragic road accident along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Yobe State. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved residents of Potiskum Local Government Area and has plunged the community into mourning.

Nigeria rolls out new HIV prevention injection, restricts use for pregnant women The Nigerian government has commenced the rollout of a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, but says pregnant women will not use it due to insufficient safety data. The rollout, which will begin in eight states – Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)- is part of efforts to expand access to

South Africa protest targets Nigerians, other foreigners South African police fired rubber bullets and teargas on Wednesday to disperse hundreds of protesters demanding tougher action against foreigners in the coastal city of Durban. The protesters, including members of political parties and the xenophobic vigilante group Operation Dudula, marched through

Niger civil groups condemn EU call to free ex-president Bazoum | Africanews Civil society organisations in Niger have condemned a European Union resolution demanding the release of the country’s former president. Mohamed Bazoum has been detained since the 2023 coup that removed him from power. At a meeting in Niamey on Saturday, NGOs issued a joint statement accusing France of putting pressure on Brussels. “Let’s say it clearly: behind this resolution is the hand of France, refusing to accept its historic defeat in the Sahel,”

Gunmen kill nine Nigerian troops in Kebbi attack | Reuters MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, March 25 (Reuters) – Gunmen killed nine Nigerian troops and injured several others ​in the northwestern state of Kebbi, ‌security sources and local officials said on Wednesday. Kebbi state, which shares a border with ​Benin and Niger, is among ​northwestern states where armed kidnapping gangs roam ⁠largely

Army Arrests 18 Boko Haram Logistics Couriers in Borno The Nigerian Army has arrested 18 individuals linked to the supply of logistics to Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, warning communities against collaboration with insurgents. In a statement shared by the agency on their official X account on Wednesday, the Army said the suspects were intercepted while

Terrorists blow up bridge in Niger State Terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram under the command of Mallam Sadiku have reportedly blown up a bridge linking many communities and markets in Niger State with an explosive device. The incident, according to sources in the area, occurred Sunday evening, along the Wawa-Luma-Guffanti road.

CAS: NAF to intensify intelligence-driven operations, minimise collateral damage – The Nation Newspaper The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is prioritising smarter, intelligence-driven operations aimed at achieving maximum operational impact with minimal collateral damage. Air Marshal Aneke said this on Tuesday at the Civil-Military Relations Conference 2026, organized by the Civil-Military Relations Branch

FG Plans Civilian Demining Operations to Tackle IEDs The Federal Government has disclosed plans to involve youths, retired military personnel and other civilians in demining operations aimed at curbing the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines across the country. The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher

Naval Troops Seize 44,000 Litres of Illegal Fuel, Arrests 8 in Rivers – PRNigeria News Naval Troops Seize 44,000 Litres of Illegal Fuel, Arrests 8 in Rivers. The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and arrested eight suspects during an anti-crude oil theft operation in Rivers State.

In Africa, the cost of jet fuel is changing faster than you can fly | Reuters CAPE TOWN/LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) – Airlines are grappling with soaring jet fuel prices as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has caused a supply shortage – leaving consumers facing surcharges and airlines struggling to manage volatile costs as the fuel gets scarcer. Africa is among the most exposed regions to ​both supply disruptions and higher prices. Around 70% of

Nigeria’s return to Windsor castle signals new era in UK economic partnership | Africanews Nigeria’s return to Windsor Castle after nearly four decades marks more than a ceremonial milestone—it signals a renewed push to strengthen economic ties with the United Kingdom and reposition Africa’s largest economy on the global stage. The historic visit highlights a shifting dynamic in UK–Africa relations, with Nigeria seeking to attract investment, deepen

Help Is Coming: Following Up on Climate-Induced Crises in the Sahel For a long time, people in Bultu-Briya have lived in anguish; their environment seems to be at war with them, and they spend most of their lives fighting back. Climate crises like desert encroachment is eating deep into the community, killing fertile lands, and uprooting trees and homes. Drought has brought a plague to the land, drying up rivers and wells in the locality and across many

How a Nigerian town came to speak ‘street French’ – RFI Ejigbo is located north of Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos and more than 350 kilometres from its French-speaking neighbour, Benin.    In the streets here, where the official language is English, one can hear what is called “petit français”: a mix of words in Yoruba and Baoulé, interspersed with French.

FG To Implement Fresh Reforms In Correctional Service – Daily Trust The Federal Government has announced plans to implement fresh reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to strengthen the country’s criminal justice system. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, disclosed this at the close of a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on the report of the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged corruption,

Peace and Security

ECOWAS appoints veteran diplomat to mediate with Sahel States | Africanews Lansana Kouyaté, a former Guinean prime minister, has been tasked with re-establishing dialogue with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after their withdrawal from the regional bloc last year. West African states have appointed a new mediator to try to bridge the divide with three junta-led countries that quit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2025. Lansana Kouyaté, a former Guinean prime ministter and ex-ECOWAS executive

Nigeria Ranks Among Most Terror-Affected Countries Globally — Report • Channels Television According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, “in 2025, Nigeria rose two places to fourth position, reflecting the significant increase of terrorist activity in the country.”   “Terror attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 per cent this year, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025.” “Deaths from terrorism have continued to rise, increasing by 46 per cent to 750 in 2025. This marks the highest death toll since 2020,” it read.

Terror Financiers Known but Not Disclosed, Says Buratai – PRNigeria News Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has stated that individuals financing terrorism in Nigeria are known to authorities but have not been publicly named for undisclosed reasons. Speaking on Politics Today aired on Channels Television, the retired lieutenant general said he should not be held responsible for the non-disclosure of the alleged financiers, noting that relevant agencies are fully aware of those involved.

ISWAP releases footage of attack on Nigerian military camp [VIDEO] – Daily Post Nigeria The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has released a video reportedly showing coordinated attacks on Nigerian military camps located in Buratai, Maiduguri, and Shiwari, also known as Mile 4 near Baga.

Do Terror Attacks in Nigeria Spike During Ramadan? Here’s What We Know As Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, entered its second week, specifically on March 5, terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked multiple military positions in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, in a single night.   The attacks killed at least 16 soldiers and officers. The following day, a suicide car bomb detonated near Njimya

NAF Deepens Defence Ties with China, Germany to Boost Training, Technology – PRNigeria News The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its international defence engagements with China and Germany as part of efforts to enhance training, technology transfer, and operational capacity in addressing evolving security challenges. This was disclosed on Wednesday during separate high-level courtesy visits to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the

Alliance of Sahel states outraged at EU demand to free Niger’s president | Africanews The European parliament voted last week to pass a resolution demanding the “immediate” release of Niger’s former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup in 2023 and has been detained ever since. The Alliance of Sahel states reacted with indignation. The military rulers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali were united in their outrage on Thursday. They denounced a resolution passed by the European parliament to demand the immediate release

Nigerian terror suspect reportedly admits spying on US, Israeli embassies for Iran The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted an accelerated hearing in the ongoing trial of three terror suspects, accused of spying on American and Israeli embassies in Nigeria for certain individuals in Iran. Justice Emeka Nwite made the order following an oral application by prosecuting lawyer, Bello Abu, which was not opposed by defence lawyers.

Terrorists Demand ₦1bn Ransom For Five Abducted Kwara Worshippers • Channels Television Terrorists who abducted eight worshippers during a church service in Omugo community, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, demanded a ₦1 billion ransom for the release of five of the victims.

Cheap drones, costly consequences – The Nation Newspaper SIR: Low-budget drones are reshaping the architecture of modern warfare in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. They allow combatants to engage targets with minimal human contact, reduced battlefield exposure, and significantly fewer casualties. Unlike traditional air power that requires expensive fighter jets, trained pilots, and sophisticated

Nigeria’s Defence Strategy to Focus on Borders & Local Tech The Defence Headquarters has said that border security and indigenous technological advancement will form key pillars of Nigeria’s future defence strategy. In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, made this known at the inaugural lecture of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre.

Ghana, EU sign first pact to counter West Africa’s growing insecurity | Africanews Ghana and the European Union on Tuesday signed their first formal defence partnership, as the country presents itself as a regional bulwark against the growing jihadist violence roiling west Africa. The agreement, signed in Accra by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ghanaian Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, is aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas including counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and crisis response.

FG to establish civilian demining squads to combat IED menace – The Nation Newspaper The federal government plans to establish civilian demining teams comprising retired military personnel, other security veterans, and civilians, including youths and medical professionals.The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday at the National Mine Action Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja.

Chad to send 750 soldiers to fight Haiti gangs – TRT Afrika Chad will deploy 750 members of the security forces to take part in a UN-backed security mission in Haiti, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Haiti has long suffered at the hands of criminal gangs. In 2023, the United Nations approved a multinational security

Humanitarian

Chad begins relocation of refugees along its border with Sudan | Africanews Chad has began the relocation of refugees from the border with Sudan amid rising insecurity. The evacuations already began in Ennedi Est Province over the weekend, with the government targeting to relocate at least 2,300 refugees, mostly women and children. Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby had directed the military to deploy across the border, signaling retaliatory action after a

ICRC, Nigerian Red Cross speak on allegations of supporting armed groups in northern Nigeria The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) have jointly dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging that the Red Cross is providing support to armed groups in northern Nigeria. In a statement released on Tuesday, both organisations described the allegations as “false” and warned that

Nigeria, Finland sign MoU on digitalisation, innovation – The Nation Newspaper The federal government of Nigeria and the government of the Republic of Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Digitalisation and Innovation to deepen economic activities in the two countries.  The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the move would mark a significant milestone in deepening of bilateral cooperation in the digital sector.

Nigeria expands TB detection with digital tools, diagnoses over 450,000 cases in 2025 Nigeria is strengthening efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) through improved diagnostic technology, community-level interventions and expanded access to treatment. The National TB, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) says recent innovations are helping to identify more patients and close long-standing gaps in TB diagnosis and treatment across the country.

Nigeria to receive 179,700 doses of new HIV prevention drug by 2028 – Global Fund Nigeria is expected to receive 179,700 doses of Lenacapavir, a newly introduced long-acting HIV prevention drug, by 2028. The Senior Fund Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund, Jean-Thomas Noubossi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a ministerial press briefing on the commemoration of 2026 World TB Day, the Launch of the Multisectoral Accountability

UNICEF pledges support to reduce child detention in Nigeria – The Nation Newspaper The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged support to Nigeria in efforts to reduce the detention of children for minor offences, while advocating for faster decongestion of prisons nationwide. Speaking at the Stakeholders Engagement for the presentation and validation of the Independent Investigative Panel report on the Nigerian Correctional Service

Mobilization and economic development

Dangote Refinery expands African footprint with 456,000-tonne fuel exports The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strengthened Nigeria’s position in the regional energy market after the sale of 12 cargoes of refined petroleum products, totalling 456,000 tonnes to several African countries amid ongoing disruptions in the global oil and gas market. In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, the refinery said the cargoes were sold through

Work From Home: Middle East Crisis Might Take Us Back To COVID Era – Dangote – Daily Trust Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on the International community to intervene in the ongoing Middle East crisis, saying the situation might take many countries back to the COVID19 era. Dangote stated this on Monday, after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos.

Nigeria eases FX rules, lets oil firms retain full export proceeds | Reuters LAGOS, March 26 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s central bank has removed a requirement that forced international oil companies to temporarily retain part of their export earnings, allowing them ​to repatriate all proceeds in a move aimed at improving liquidity and ‌confidence in the foreign exchange

CERAWEEK Nigeria sees more interest from LNG buyers for cargoes, NNPC says | Reuters HOUSTON, March 25 (Reuters) – Nigeria is seeing stronger demand for its liquefied natural gas cargoes as energy disruptions from the war in the Middle East ​have opened commercial opportunities for the West African producer, a senior ​Nigerian National Petroleum Company

WTO members gather in Yaounde amid deep divisions and calls for reform | Africanews The World Trade Organization’s 166 members opened a key ministerial conference in Cameroon’s capital on Thursday, sharply divided over the future of the institution as geopolitical tensions, protectionism and the fallout from the Middle East war cast a shadow over global trade. A Western diplomatic source described the mood ahead of the meeting as “tense”, reflecting

Nigeria to launch trade platform at ports as part of reform push | Reuters LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) – Nigeria will launch a key digital platform on Friday to streamline imports and exports in a “game changer” for trade in the West ​African nation, Minister of Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole told Reuters. The first phase of Nigeria’s National Single Window – a centralised electronic trade

China says it is ready to enhance cooperation with Cameroon in infrastructure, energy, agriculture | Reuters BEIJING, March 25 – China is willing ​to deepen cooperation ‌with Cameroon in infrastructure, energy ​and agriculture, ​Commerce Minister Wang Wentao ⁠told his ​Cameroonian counterpart ​in the central African nation’s capital on ​Tuesday. The two ​met on the sidelines ‌of ⁠a gathering of World Trade Organization trade ​ministers ​in ⁠Yaounde, 

NNPC Group CEO says Nigeria can grow production by 100,000 bpd over next few months | Reuters HOUSTON, March 23 (Reuters) – Nigeria can increase oil production ​by about 100,000 barrels per day ‌over the next few months, said Bashir Bayo Ojulari, group CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company. The ​country averaged about 1.6 million to ​1.7 million barrels per day last ⁠year and is hoping to average 1.8 ​million bpd this year, Bayo Ojulari told ​Reuters on