Regional News

Video appears to show 600 people abducted in Nigeria mosque attack, residents say | Reuters MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Aug 24 (Reuters) – An armed group has posted a video showing what residents said were about 600 ‌women, children and older people abducted in an attack on a mosque in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State last week. The video, posted on Sunday on Facebook and WhatsApp,

Unusual suspects: elders in West Africa’s changing drug trade | ISS Africa Adults aged 50 and over are becoming more visible in West African drug operations, although data availability and official understandings of this phenomenon vary across states. Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) website suggests that at least 32 people aged 60 to 101 have been arrested in

Police arrest suspected cross-border car theft syndicate members in Oyo The Oyo State Police Command says it has disrupted a transnational criminal network involved in the trafficking of stolen exotic vehicles across Nigeria’s borders for sale in foreign countries, In a statement on Wednesday, the command said two suspects were arrested and a stolen Lexus RX 350 SUV

Operation Hadin Kai airstrikes destroy 12 ISWAP boats in Borno – Northern Nigerian Express Precision Airstrikes under Operation Hadin Kai destroyed 12 suspected ISWAP logistics boats during an airstrike near Kangarwa, Borno State. Military sources said the strike occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after surveillance detected terrorist activity along the riverbank. The operation targeted a concentration of 44 suspected terrorist logistics boats near Kangarwa in Kukawa Local Government Area.

Nigeria Health Watch launches tracker to hold 2027 candidates accountable for health promises Nigeria Health Watch has launched a tool to track and assess healthcare promises made by political parties and candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, as it pushes for clearer and measurable commitments to the country’s health sector.

Nigeria to modernise border management using technology, intelligence – Officials The Nigerian government has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, universities, regional institutions, border communities and development partners as it moves to modernise the country’s border management system through technology, intelligence

Gunmen kill 3 vigilantes in Plateau – Daily Trust Three members of a local vigilante group have been killed after gunmen attacked a civilian guard post at the Gwa Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. Our correspondent reports that many vigilantes lost their lives while trying to provide security assistance to their communities.

‘Middle Belt, South won’t accept proposed livestock ranching scheme’ – SMBLF – Daily Post Nigeria The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has expressed concern over what it called “the audacious attempt by the Federal Government to take over lands belonging to ethnic communities

How man allegedly defrauded BDC operators of $12,000 – EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and interrogated a 38-year-old man, Raheem Wasiu, accused of defrauding Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the South-east of $12,000. In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Monday, the EFCC said operatives of the Nigeria

Over 10,200 killed in two years under Tinubu govt – Amnesty International Amnesty International has said that at least 10,217 people were killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states in the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s government. In a Monday statement shared on Facebook, the rights group said

Terrorist Financing: NFIU Uncovers Crowdfunding, Dead Accoun The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit has uncovered an emerging crowdfunding network being exploited to raise and channel funds for terrorist operations. This is as the agency said terrorist financiers were opening bank accounts in women’s names as well as using phone numbers for mobile banking or account alerts that are not registered to the account holder or the true beneficiary.

Nigeria seeks proactive drought management at COP17 – Daily Trust Nigeria has joined other African countries in calling for a legally binding framework on proactive drought management, increased funding for adaptation and clear accountability to tackle land degradation. The country also reaffirmed its commitment to achieving land degradation neutrality in line with the objectives of the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties

Diphtheria kills 50 children in Kano – Daily Trust About 50 children have been killed in an outbreak of Diphtheria in Kano State. Lawmaker representing Rano Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Muhammad, raised alarm that several others are currently hospitalised as a result of the situation.

30 killed in attacks on four Niger mosques – Daily Trust At least 30 people have been killed following attacks on four mosques in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State last Friday. Terrorists attacked the mosques simultaneously during Juma’at prayers in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities, abducting dozens of worshippers. The attackers reportedly assembled the worshippers and marched them into the forest.

Climate, Insecurity Triple Nigeria’s Partial Crop Losses to Over 20% — World Bank – WIND FLOW Partial crop losses on Nigerian farms have more than tripled in five years, rising from about six per cent of cultivated plots in the 2018/19 farming season to more than 20 per cent in 2023/24, according to a World Bank analysis of Nigeria’s General

Phone technician loses 2 wives, children to fire in Yobe – Daily Trust A phone technician has lost his two wives and two children in a fire outbreak at Rugar Audu Badali Fulani community in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. The incident occurred at about 5:30 pm on Friday while the four victims were in one of the rooms in the family compound, according to the family.

Military records 202% surge in terrorist surrenders in North East The Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), says it recorded an unprecedented surge in terrorist surrenders, rising by 202 percent week-on-week. Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this

The multi-million dollar Norwegian scam and the role of a Nigerian For neighbours and shop owners around the building he lived in, an unpainted and unplastered storey building, David Erubure is a web developer and IT expert. The house, which has about four flats, is in Izomo Idum Area of Warri, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, southern Nigeria.

SPECIAL REPORT: Some Nigerians turn to faith healers as HIV aid dries up Aisha* once relied on free antiretroviral therapy (ART) from a clinic in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, funded through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme.

COP17: Africa must connect science to action to tackle land degradation — Expert In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES on the sidelines of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Oluseyi Ifatimehin, a Professor of Geography (Environmental Resource Planning) at Kogi State University, Nigeria, and Science and Technology Correspondent to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), outlines the scientific

Benue governor rejects federal government’s ranching plan, says state’s land not for herders The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has rejected any plan to cede land in the state to pastoralists for ranching without the consent of his administration and the people. Mr Alia stated this on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders from the Sankera bloc,

In one year, the UK Medical Tribunal sanctioned 16 Nigerian doctors for fraud, rape, theft, others The sanctions were imposed by the UK Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), often after a hearing or series of hearings. The MPTS is an adjudication body that conducts hearings and makes decisions on the fitness to practise of doctors referred by the regulatory General Medical Council (GMC). A review of tribunal records released on the MPTS website showed that between July 2025 and July

Thugs kill kano resident returning from Maulud gathering  – Daily Trust Suspected thugs have killed a young man identified as Yusuf Ahmad in Dorayi Quarters of  Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State. The incident occurred following a clash that reportedly started after a young man from a neighbouring community sustained injury. The incident allegedly angered his friends, who were said to have mobilised to seek revenge. The spokesman for the Kano

Chad accuses Sudanese army of targeting convoy in Chadian territory | Africanews Military authorities in Chad have accused Sudan of launching drone strikes against a convoy inside Chadian territory. The attack took place on Thursday and reportedly targeted the vehicles in East Ennedi province, more than 100 kilometres from the border with Sudan. The incident is raising fears that the war in Sudan could escalate regional tensions. Sudan has previously accused Chad of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces who have been fighting

China-Africa media cooperation: Building skills for the AI era | Africanews Africa and China are deepening cooperation in the media sector as digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshape how news and content are produced. The 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation opened in Beijing under the theme “Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audio-Visual Future,” bringing together media leaders and professionals from across Africa and China. For Gregoire Ndjaka, CEO and Director General of the African Union of

Nigeria: Religious leaders unite for social peace in West Africa | Africanews At a time when extremist rhetoric and social divisions continue to threaten peace in parts of Nigeria and West Africa, religious leaders are taking a united stand for dialogue, coexistence and stability. Under the patronage of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Muslim World League (MWL) launched its Initiative for Social Peace in West Africa in Abuja, bringing together Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, parliamentarians and civil society representatives.

The Nigerian Highways of Horrors Where Terrorists Ambush Road Users | HumAngle Friday, 11 July 2025, 4:28 p.m. Thirty-five-year-old Kabiru Shehu remembers his “worst life experience” in great detail. He couldn’t have forgotten the day a group of terrorists suddenly showed up on the road, spraying bullets at his passenger-filled car. Even after a bullet brushed the edge of his head, with blood

Terrorism Empties Rural Markets in Nigeria’s North West | HumAngle The maize was still fresh from the truck when the terrorists came for it. A day earlier, Aminu Idris had travelled to Sabuwa Market in Katsina State, in Nigeria’s North West, to restock his business, a journey of about four hours from his home in Shekewa, Batsari Local Government Area. The merchant still recalls every detail, including the price of

Operation HADIN KAI: Air Strikes Destroy Two ISWAP Gun Trucks, Eliminates Several Fighters in Borno – PRNigeria News Operation HADIN KAI: Air Strikes Destroy Two ISWAP Gun Trucks, Eliminates Several Fighters in Borno Air platforms of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have destroyed two Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) gun trucks and inflicted casualties on the terrorist group during precision air strikes at Aduwa village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

FG to Review Foreign Scholarships, Focus on Nigerian Schools The Federal Government is reviewing its foreign scholarship and bilateral education arrangements as part of efforts to eliminate unnecessary expenditure and redirect public resources towards strengthening Nigerian tertiary institutions, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has said.

FG to impose new electricity tariff on universities, teaching hospitals over renewable energy – Tegbe – Daily Post Nigeria The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the Federal Government plans to impose electricity tariffs on the use of its completed renewable energy assets by 25 tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals in Nigeria.

Woman allegedly burns stepdaughter with hot water in Borno – Daily Trust A breastfeeding mother, Zara Muhammad, has been hospitalised after she was allegedly severely burnt with hot water by her stepmother in the Kofa area of Maiduguri, Borno State. The incident reportedly followed a verbal argument between the two women on Sunday.

Africa must turn its wealth into bargaining power to rewrite global debt rules — Experts Africa must turn its natural resources, market size and technological capacity into bargaining power to secure a stronger voice in the global financial system, experts said on Wednesday at the sixth African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Katsina Survey: 88% of households consume 1–3 food varieties daily, 61% of recent births occurred at home Nearly nine in 10 households in Katsina State consume only one to three varieties of food items daily, while six in 10 recent births occurred at home, according to a new government household survey that shows wide gaps by wealth and place of residence.

Peace and Security

Nigeria Seeks Regional Cooperation for Stronger Border Gover The National Boundary Commission, a major partner of the Association of Borderlands Research Network 2026 International Conference, has advocated stronger collaboration among governments, academia, border communities and development partners to address emerging challenges

65 more Nigerians to be evacuated from South Africa today Another batch of 65 Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in an exercise sponsored by public-spirited private individuals. Outgoing spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

US Steps Up Military Training for Nigerian Troops United States forces have commenced training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other military skills as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation between both countries. The training was conducted at an operating location in Bauchi State and formed part of a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation mission aimed at enhancing military capability,

Terrorism: Bukarti warns Nigerians against unknowingly funding terrorists Security analyst and lawyer Bulama Bukarti has urged Nigerians to exercise greater caution when donating money or allowing their personal accounts and identities to be used by others, warning that such actions could inadvertently support terrorist financing. Bukarti gave the warning while speaking on

FG launches $1bn HOPE-SP, tracks poor homes nationwide now – Northern Nigerian Express The Federal Government has launched a $1 billion social protection project aimed at moving vulnerable households beyond temporary assistance. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, unveiled HOPE-SP on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in Abuja.

Army, Immigration Strengthen Border Security in Yobe The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Immigration Service have pledged to strengthen their collaboration on border security, migration management and responses to emerging threats in Yobe State. The commitment was made on Wednesday, when the Commander, Headquarters Sector 2,

Many bodies recovered after Niger mosque attacks, LG chairman says, as Tinubu orders rescue operation About 30 people have died following last Friday’s attacks on Muslim worshippers during the Jumaat prayers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, the chairman of the council, Mohammed Abdullahi, has said. Abdullahi said the terrorists abducted about 60 worshippers across mosques in four villages during Friday prayers.

24 ISWAP family members surrender to troops in Borno – Yerwa Express News The Nigerian Army says a total of 24 family members of  Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP  terrorists have surrendered to troops in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno. The piece of information is in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday.

INTERPOL arrests 58 people linked to West African crime networks | Premium Times Nigeria An eight-month international operation coordinated by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has led to the arrest of 58 suspects and the identification of 263 others linked to West African organised crime networks.

Nigeria, Thailand to expand bilateral ties in technology, agriculture, renewable energy Nigeria and Thailand have committed to deepen relations between both countries across technology, agriculture, commerce, and renewable energy, among other areas of strategic interest.

INTERVIEW: How my role on UN panel on nuclear war effects can benefit Nigeria – Prof Rabia Sa’id Rabia Sa’id, a professor of physics at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), was appointed last year by the United Nations Secretary-General to a 21-member scientific panel studying the physical effects and societal impacts of nuclear war.

‘Apply the same energy used for Oyo children to rescue our children,’ Mussa parents tell Tinubu – Yerwa Express News  Parents of schoolchildren abducted from  Government Day Secondary and Primary School in Mussa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to apply the same energy and commitment used in rescuing the Oyo schoolchildren from captivity

Amnesty demands rescue of worshippers abducted in Niger mosque attack Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe rescue of worshippers abducted at a mosque during the Muslim Friday prayers in Kpenya, Dekara District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

SPECIAL REPORT: How social media shapes reprisal violence in Plateau Plateau State has endured cycles of communal violence for decades. The clashes, often framed along ethnic and religious lines, have claimed thousands of lives and displaced entire communities. The first major crisis in Jos erupted on 11 September 2001, and the pattern has repeated

Insecurity: ‘Make it easy for citizens to get guns’ – VDM says at NBA conference Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has called on the Nigerian government to make provisions for citizens to protect themselves, including making it easier for them to access firearms.

NAF Air strikes kill about 36 terrorists in multiple Borno operations – Yerwa Express News Air platforms of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai killed about 36  terrorists in a series of precision airstrikes across Borno State between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22.

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia strengthen defence ties as envoy visits DHQ – Northern Nigerian Express Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are exploring ways to expand military cooperation following a meeting between their defence officials in Abuja. The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed this on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, after the Saudi ambassador visited Defence Headquarters.

Humanitarain

North-East insurgency: 17,000 Nigerians still missing – ICRC – Daily Post Nigeria An estimated 17,000 Nigerians who went missing, mostly following attacks in insurgency-troubled parts of the North-East and other conflict zones, remain unaccounted for, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.

100 days after abduction, Zulum meets Mussa pupils’ parents, pledges action – Yerwa Express News Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum,  Governor of Borno has expressed sympathy with the families and management of Mussa Central Primary School following the abduction of  children from the community. Zulum expressed the sympathy on Friday at the Maiduguri

26,000 Nigerian children enter custody yearly, most without lawyers — Minister The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said that about 26,000 children enter custodial and remand facilities in Nigeria every year, with 74 per cent held in pre-trial detention and 68 per cent having no lawyer from their first contact with the justice system.

Nigerian Kidnappings Surge 66%, N7.8bn Ransoms Paid: Report No fewer than 1,142 people were reported dead across 1,713 kidnap and kidnap-related incidents between July 2025 and June 2026, and a total of N7.8 billion in ransom paid, SBM Intelligence reports. According to the report released on Thursday, titled ‘The capture of the kidnap economy,’ the country recorded no fewer than 7,825 abductions with 895 civilians killed

Mobilization and economic development

Will Nigeria, other African countries be affected by Trump’s latest Iran sanctions? On Monday, the US threatened new rounds of sanctions against Iran. It made it clear that the goal was to isolate Iran and weaken its already battered economy. President Donald Trump intends to increase economic pressure on Tehran to get an edge in the six-month-long war, which began in February with an unprovoked US and Israeli strike that killed the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 165 schoolgirls and teachers.

Dangote raises petrol gantry price twice in 5 days – Daily Trust Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, marking its second price increase within five days. The latest N15 per litre adjustment took effect on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. This is coming despite a decline in international crude oil prices amidst renewed US-Iran talks. The refinery announced the new price in a communication to its customers by its Group Commercial Operations.

Cross-border Payments Africa: Hurdles Slowing Business Expan Cross-border payment challenges and fragmented financial regulations are slowing the expansion of African businesses beyond their domestic markets, industry leaders have said. They made the remarks at the inaugural “The Borderless Experience,” organised by Condia in Lagos last Thursday. The event brought together senior executives from McKinsey & Company,

Africa must unlock the capital beneath its farmers’ feet | ISS Africa Africa’s quality of governance has largely stagnated or declined over the past decade, as reflected in the World Bank’s Governance Effectiveness Index, Afrobarometer surveys across countries and the Ibrahim Index of African Governance. Africa’s youthful population is governed by elderly political elites and often influenced by traditional authorities whose incentives, worldviews and institutional interests favour continuity over change.

China Zero-Tariffs: Nigeria’s Path to Industrial Transformat There are moments in international trade when a policy announcement is much bigger than the headline suggests. China’s decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries is one of them. Effective May 1, 2026, China began granting zero-tariff access across 100 per cent of tariff lines to African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Nigeria is