Regional News

Nigeria’s deep insecurity demands more than an emergency declaration | ISS Africa Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, ordering the recruitment of more security personnel alongside other far-reaching measures. The 26 November announcement reflects mounting pressure on the government following soaring insecurity marked by increased Boko Haram brutality and mass abductions by bandits. Violence in the country

Abductors kill priest in Nigeria after a month in captivity, church leader says | Reuters ABUJA, Nov 29 (Reuters) – An Anglican priest kidnapped in northwest Nigeria last month has been killed in captivity, the head of the Church of Nigeria said, as the country reels from a surge in abductions and killings that has drawn condemnation from Washington. Archbishop Henry Ndakuba said Venerable Edwin Achi, seized with his wife and daughter from their home in Kaduna state on October 28, was murdered after spending about a month in captivity.

Gunman hijacks aid plane in South Sudan, demands flight to Chad | Africanews A gunman hijacked a small aid plane in South Sudan on Tuesday and forced the pilot to fly for several hours before the aircraft landed safely in the northern town of Wau, police said. The suspect was arrested on the runway, and no injuries were reported. The Cessna Grand Caravan, operated by the U.S.-based Christian relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse, had taken off from Juba with medical supplies bound for Maiwut in the country’s northeast. Police said the gunman, identified as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, hid in the rear cabin before takeoff.

Dangote invites petroleum regulator to verify output figures | Africanews The Dangote refinery said Monday it was ready to demonstrate its ability to deliver 1.5 billion litres of petrol a month, following questions by the sector regulator about its capacity. Nigeria’s Petroleum Regulatory Authority published data over the weekend saying Dangote was only able to deliver a third of the figure. It estimates national demand at 55 million litres per day, or around 1.6 billion litres a month. Following the report, Dangote invite officials from the regulator to witness and validate daily production figures. It said the invitation was to ensure transparency.

Pope Leo says he hopes to visit Africa in 2026 as he wraps up his first foreign trip | Africanews Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his first international trip as pontiff on Tuesday, leaving Beirut on the papal plane after a six-day tour of Turkey and Lebanon. But he’s already looking ahead to the next one, saying he hopes to visit Africa in 2026. Leo singled out Algeria, where he says he would like to see the places from the life of Saint Augustine. Such a visit would help to “continue the discourse of dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and the Muslim worlds,” Leo said, as Augustine is still a respected figure in the mainly Muslim country.

AFCON 2025: Morocco hotels prepare for surge in visitors | Africanews As Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025, hotels across the country are gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors. Accommodation facilities are undergoing upgrades and improvements to meet standards, ensuring comfort, security, and a high-quality experience for all visitors. Authorities and hospitality professionals are coordinating closely to handle increased demand, implement efficient booking systems, and provide services that reflect Morocco’s reputation as a premier sporting and tourist destination.

Nigeria offers protection to Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate Dias | Reuters BISSAU, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Nigeria has offered Guinea-Bissau’s opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dias protection at its embassy in the capital Bissau following a military coup, the Nigerian foreign ministry said on Monday. The offer came as leaders from the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, led by Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, tried to

Cameroonian opposition figure Ekane dies in detention, lawyer says | Reuters YAOUNDE, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Cameroonian opposition leader Anicet Ekane, who supported a bid for president by a rival to the country’s long-serving leader in October, died in detention on Monday, his lawyer and family said, a development that may worsen political tensions. Ekane, 74, leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party, was arrested on October 24

Gunmen attack Nigerian governor’s aides | Premium Times Nigeria Gunmen have attacked three government officials attached to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. The unidentified hoodlums, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, attacked the officials on Tuesday between Umuowa and Ihite Junction near the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The officials, it was gathered, were heading to the airport for official duties when the incident happened. Sources said the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle conveying the officials when they approached the airport corridor.

No breakthrough in ECOWAS talks with Guinea-Bissau coup leaders | Africanews A high-level delegation from the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS ended a mediation mission to Guinea-Bissau on Monday with no breakthrough, but pledged to continue talks with coup leaders later this month. Led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, the regional bloc traveled to Bissau seeking a return to civilian rule following a military coup last Wednesday. The junta, which has banned protests and strikes, argued it acted to restore security and

Burkina Faso’s Traore gets first Sahel Alliance identity card | Africanews Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traoré on Monday became the first Sahel Alliance head of state to get an identity card backed by the region’s confederation. Traore received his ID from the country’s security minister. With the introduction of biometric identity cards, the Sahel leaders seek to grow the profile of their new bloc and to deepen integration. The move also shows that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are determined in severing their ties with West African bloc ECOWAS.

Samuel Eto’o wins second term as Cameroon’s football chief | Africanews Samuel Eto’o was re-elected unopposed on Saturday as head of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot). Eto’o’s second mandate was confirmed at a General Assembly of Fecafoot held in the country’s central region. He polled 85 out of 85 votes. Cameroon’s education ministry which oversees the sports portfolio had opposed the exercise, and even called for the cancelation of the Assembly. There were also demonstrations outside the meeting venue, with opponents accusing Eto’o of misconduct. The former Barcelona star has been accused

Cameroon fires coach as new hire omits Onana, Aboubakar ahead of AFCON | Africanews Between being eliminated from the 2026 World Cup qualifying and opening the Africa Cup of Nations in three weeks, Cameroon fired its coach and hired a replacement. New coach David Pagou immediately dropped captain Vincent Aboubakar and goalkeeper André Onana from his squad, announced late Monday for the AFCON that opens on Dec. 21 in Morocco. Pagou replaced Marc Brys, the veteran Belgian coach whose appointment last year seemed to be the sports ministry’s choice against the wishes of the soccer federation led by Cameroon great Sa

The Plastic Collectors of Makoko  – HumAngle As Yusuf collects plastic from the floating streets of Lagos’ Makoko, memories of his wife bring home back to him. Together, they used to attend wedding parties in Makoda, Kano State, North West Nigeria, where he grew up and worked on his father’s rice farm before kidnappers changed everything. He remembers them as masked, armed men advancing on bikes.

What Unstable Internet Does to Nigeria’s Remote Workers – HumAngle On her screen, Zoom was loading. In her eyes, tears were swelling. Sophia Muoneke was in turmoil. She had been following up on a job with a Hong Kong company for a while. When she eventually secured an interview, she went all out: studied possible questions, paid for internet, charged her laptop, tested the internet and sound, and even practised.

Auditor faults NNPC for £14 million spent on London Office | Premium Times Nigeria The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to account for £14.3 million spent on its London office, according to the Auditor-General’s latest report. The findings in the 2022 audit report, the latest by the auditor-general, are interim observations requiring the oil regulator to provide explanations. While the company responded to the query, the auditor-general said some of the explanations were untenable.

Troops foil midnight attack on Chibok communities in Borno – Army The Nigerian Army says troops of 28 Task Force Brigade have foiled a planned midnight attack on Chibok communities in Borno State. The Army disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Saturday. It said the terrorists, numbering about 300, launched the attack from multiple fronts. The attack, which began around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, was decisively foiled “through swift intelligence, tactical manoeuvre and superior firepower” by the troops.

Boko Haram terrorists abduct eight people in Borno communities Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly abducted eight people in Malari, a village in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Local news reported that the insurgents came on motorcycles on Sunday night, met the farmers watering their onion plants, and abducted them. The abduction occurred hours after the Nigerian Army repelled an insurgent attack on Izge, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area.

Nigeria’s defence minister steps down as abductions trigger security emergency – RFI According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, stepped down with immediate effect on Monday. The 63-year-old minister reportedly cited health reasons for his departure – a move that comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency last week.

Libya steps up deportations of Sub-Saharan African migrants | Africanews Libyan authorities have announced a major ramp-up in deporting irregular migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, back to their home countries. The move comes as European nations step up efforts to stop migrant arrivals. With Italy just 300 kilometres away, Libya remains a main departure point for thousands risking dangerous sea journeys to Europe each year. At a press conference in Tripoli, Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi emphasized that Libya has received limited international support in handling migration, despite significant efforts by Libyan

Catholic priest abducted in Nigeria’s Kaduna State, Diocese says | Reuters ABUJA, Dec 4 (Reuters) – A Catholic priest was abducted from his residence in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, the Catholic Diocese of Zaria said on Wednesday. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema was taken late on Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. (0030 GMT Wednesday) from St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rumi, the diocese said in a statement seen by Reuters on Thursday. It didn’t say

FIFA ruling on players’ release date upsets Cup of Nations preparations | Reuters CAPE TOWN, Dec 4 (Reuters) – African countries were left scrambling to change their preparation plans after a surprise FIFA decision to cut down the time players must be released to their national teams ahead of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals. With less than three weeks to the tournament in Morocco, which runs from December 21 to January 18, soccer’s world governing body

US Jails Two Nigerians for Fatal Romance Scam Two Nigerians, Chinagorom Onwumere and Stephen Anagor, have been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for their roles in a romance scam and wire fraud scheme that led to the death of an elderly American citizen. Judge Clifton L. Corker of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville handed down the sentences to the pair and their

Peace and Security

Insecurity: New defence minister to withdraw soldiers from checkpoints Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Wednesday said one of his key strategies for tackling insurgency is to withdraw soldiers from road checkpoints and redeploy them into the bush to directly confront terrorists. Mr Musa, a retired general, said police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would take over checkpoint duties from the military.

Nigerian Army frees six kidnap victims after joint operation in Kogi Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued six people kidnapped by armed groups operating in Kogi West, following a coordinated operation in the Ejiba and Saminaka forest areas. The 12 Brigade in Lokoja confirmed the development in a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Hassan Abdullahi.

Constant Attacks Continue to Cast Doubt on Borno’s Resettlement Scheme – HumAngle On the night of Nov. 17, gunfire tore through Mayanti village as Boko Haram terrorists attacked the construction site for returnees in Borno, North East Nigeria. Labourers working on the resettlement project scattered into the darkness as the insurgents closed in. “They came at midnight, stormed the construction site, and everybody ran into the bushes. Some of us went towards Dar Jamal village,” a survivor of the night raid told HumAngle.

Why Terrorists Are Moving Into Kano Villages from Katsina  – HumAngle For years, the commercial hub of Kano stood apart in the insecurity-ravaged northwestern Nigeria. It is a state often spoken of for its relative calm. Its borders touch troubled territories of Katsina State, yet its interior remained mostly insulated from the daily terror that has become routine in neighbouring states. But that illusion of distance is collapsing. Kano is facing terror attacks.

Nigeria’s president taps ex-top general to replace defence minister | Reuters ABUJA, Dec 2 (Reuters) – President Bola Tinubu nominated Nigeria’s former top general to replace the defence minister, who resigned amid a surge in mass kidnappings and Islamist attacks in the north that has led the president to declare a security emergency. Christopher Musa, 58, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October this year. He will succeed Mohammed

Insecurity: NEC approves N100 billion for rehabilitation of security agencies’ training institutions The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N100 billion, subject to a final ratification by President Bola Tinubu, for the rehabilitation of training institutions for police and other security agencies in Nigeria. This followed recommendations by the ad-hoc committee earlier constituted to assess the state of police and security agencies’ training institutions nationwide.

US to restrict visas for Nigerians involved in violence against Christians | Africanews The United States on Wednesday said it will restrict visas for Nigerians its believes are responsible for what it described as “anti-Christian violence”. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said Washington was taking decisive actions in response to the “mass killings and violence” against Christians in that country. The restrictions will apply to anyone involved and their families, he said, mentioning “radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond”.

Nigeria secures release of three citizens cleared of drug allegations in Saudi Arabia The Nigerian government has secured the release of three Nigerians detained in Saudi Arabia after being falsely linked to drug trafficking. The Nigerians, who were identified as Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Abdullahi, and Bahijah Abdullahi, were arrested in August at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah. They were arrested after prohibited substances were “fraudulently” tagged to their tickets at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport by criminal syndicates.

Nigerian Army rescues 12 kidnapped girls in Borno – Official | Premium Times Nigeria Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State, the army said. PREMIUM TIMES reported that 13 girls, aged between 15 and 20, were kidnapped on 23 November while working on their farmlands. One of them later escaped and returned home safely, leaving 12 in captivity.

FG reiterates promise on rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren The federal government has reassured Nigerians of the imminent and safe return of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State. During a condolence and solidarity visit to St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral in Kontagora, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, stated that the children were in good condition and would be reunited with their families soon.

Buratai: Judging Nigeria’s Future By Current Challenges Is Shortsightedness – Daily Trust Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, has said Nigeria is a great country that cannot be defined by its current challenges. Owing to the rise in insecurity and killings in some parts of the country, Nigeria has come under attack. Recently, US President Donald Trump described Nigeria as “disgraced nation”, the American leader had threatened to invade the country.

CAN chairman in Borno rejects religious conflict narrative, calls for unity – Yerwa Express News Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Borno State, says there is no religious conflict between Christians and Muslims in the state. He made the statement on Monday during an interfaith meeting convened by Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno at the

Humanitarian

Displaced Women in Nigeria’s North East Struggle With a Severe Mental Health Support Shortage – HumAngle When the terror reached her village, Maiwa, Amina ran with nothing but her two youngest children. As the gunfire echoed through the trees, they fled towards Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, North East Nigeria. On their way, she lost her 10-year-old son.  Many years later, she still doesn’t know where he is or whether he is still alive.

Life on the Line: Inside Katsina’s child malnutrition crisis The fight for a child’s life in Katsina State does not begin in a hospital bed; it sometimes begins on the road. By the time Aisha Rabe reached Katsina city from Sandamu, the midday sun had turned the air into a suffocating wall of heat. Her five-month-old daughter lay limp against her chest, having gone two days without suckling. Fever had sapped every ounce of energy from her tiny body, and she had grown worryingly light in Mrs Rabe’s arms, signs that point to severe malnutrition.

Reps push for improved welfare, rights protection for women and girls The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development has urged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to fully enforce its mandate of promoting gender equality, safeguarding the rights of women and girls, and advancing their overall welfare. The Committee’s Chairperson, Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos), delivered the charge during an oversight meeting with the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim, on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

Mobilization and economic development

Nigeria’s economy grows 3.98% in Q3, driven by non-oil sector | Reuters ABUJA, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s economic growth slowed to 3.98% year-on-year (NGGDPQ=ECI), opens new tab in the third quarter, data showed on Monday, as inflation and tight monetary policy weighed on activity. Growth in services and agriculture, as well as rising oil production, drove the economic expansion in July-September, but overall economic growth slowed from 4.23% year-on-year in the second quarter.

Nigeria tightens cash withdrawal limits to curb money-laundering risk | Reuters ABUJA, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s central bank announced sweeping changes to its cash management policies on Tuesday, introducing stricter withdrawal limits and scrapping fees on excess deposits in a bid to curb cash dependency and tackle security and money-laundering risks. Effective January 1, 2026, individuals will be limited to cumulative weekly withdrawals of 500,000 naira

Nigeria to host African petroleum regulators forum, regulator elected chair | Reuters LAGOS, Dec 3 (Reuters) – African petroleum regulators have chosen Nigeria as their headquarters and elected Gbenga Komolafe, head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as chair, the forum said on Wednesday. Komolafe, who previously served as interim chair, was confirmed during the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) inaugural

Nigeria’s oil content board unveils $100 mln equity fund to support local producers | Reuters YENAGOA, Nigeria, Dec 2 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s oil and gas content regulator on Tuesday announced a $100 million equity investment scheme to boost indigenous participation in the energy sector and said it would tighten compliance rules from next year. Felix Ogbe, executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), told the

Mali recovers $1.2 billion in arrears from miners, eyes annual windfall under new code | Reuters BAMAKO, Dec 2 – Mali has recovered 761 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) in arrears from mining companies following a sweeping audit, its finance minister said, marking one of the country’s biggest clawbacks from its extractive sector. The military-led government launched an audit of Mali’s mining sector in early 2023 that uncovered massive shortfalls for the state and paved the way for a new mining code, opens new tab.

Africa nears record $1 trillion in state-owned assets under management | Reuters LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) – African state-owned institutions are now managing a record $1 trillion in assets, according to a monthly report from sovereign fund tracker GlobalSWF. Assets managed by public pension funds, central banks and sovereign wealth funds have grown as the continent is increasingly turning inward for investment due to cuts in concessional finance and aid.

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery says it can deliver 1.5 billion litres of petrol in December | Reuters LAGOS, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery said on Monday it is able to deliver 1.5 billion litres of petrol a month and invited the sector regulator to validate daily volumes after the watchdog published data saying it was supplying only around a third of that. The argument that refineries in Nigeria are unable to meet national demand was part of the reason the

Nigeria launches 2025 oil licensing round, offers 50 blocks | Reuters ABUJA, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s upstream regulator on Monday announced the start of its 2025 oil licensing round, offering 50 blocks for bidding as Africa’s biggest crude producer seeks to boost output and attract new investment. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission said the round includes 15 onshore blocks, 19 in shallow waters, 15 frontier assets and one deepwater block.

Barrick employees released from Mali prison after deal, sources say | Reuters DAKAR, Nov 29 (Reuters) – Four Malian employees of Barrick Mining (ABX.TO), opens new tab have been released a year after they were detained in the capital Bamako amid a dispute between the company and the government, three sources told Reuters on Saturday. The two sides had been in a standoff over the implementation of the West African country’s new mining code that gave Mali

French energy major sells stake in Nigerian exploration blocks to Chevron – RFI The sale concerns the PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 exploration areas, located in the prolific West Delta basin and covering a combined 2,000 square kilometres. TotalEnergies obtained the exploration rights in September after winning them in the 2024 licensing round organised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

Niger to float its uranium on international market in break with France’s Orano – RFI Uranium mining in Niger is at the centre of a standoff between the junta that took power in 2023 and nuclear producer Orano, which is 90-percent owned by the French government and has operated mines in Niger for decades. The news was announced on state television Tele Sahel in a report Sunday evening citing comments by head of the junta General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Nigeria GDP Growth to Rebound to 4.22% in Q4 2025: Report Analysts at CardinalStone expect Nigeria’s GDP to grow to 4.22 per cent in Q4 2025, an increase from 3.98 per cent in Q3. This signals a positive outlook for the year, as economic growth is projected to accelerate towards year-end. This was disclosed in its Macro Research note released on Tuesday, following the latest GDP data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The PUNCH reports that Nigeria’s