{"id":54081,"date":"2026-05-29T11:59:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/?p=54081"},"modified":"2026-05-29T11:59:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:59:46","slug":"weekly-press-review-22-28-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/weekly-press-review-22-28-may-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Press Review 22-28 May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Regional News<\/strong><\/p>\n

Will the US-Nigeria targeting of ISWAP\u2019s deputy weaken terrorism? | ISS Africa<\/a> The joint Nigerian-United States (US) operation on 16 May that reportedly killed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) second-in-command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki will boost efforts to dismantle one of Africa\u2019s most\u00a0deadly<\/a>\u00a0terror groups. It is also a victory in the two countries\u2019<\/p>\n

Mass abduction of students normalised under Buhari but getting worse under Tinubu<\/a> The terrorists arrived before dawn, breaching the stillness of Yawota and Esiele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Within minutes, locals in these communities said three schools were invaded, and terrified pupils, including their<\/p>\n

Borno Closes School After Abduction of 42 Children<\/a> The Borno State Government has temporarily closed down and relocated the Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira\/Uba Local Government Area, following the abduction of 42 students by suspected insurgents. A statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the state governor,<\/p>\n

Crackdown on Chad\u2019s opposition threatens a return to one-party rule<\/a> Just two weeks after eight opposition leaders were arrested for planning a march against Chad\u2019s governance problems, they were sentenced to eight years in prison without parole. Their Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP) had scheduled the demonstration for 2 May. A day before their sentencing on 8 May, the Supreme Court announced that the GCAP \u2013 the country\u2019s main political<\/p>\n

Tinubu Has Failed to… – Amnesty International Nigeria | Facebook<\/a> Tinubu Has Failed to Address Rampant Abductions President Bola Tinubu and his government have failed to address the country\u2019s shocking spate of abductions targeting school children, rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country, as at least 1,100 people have been abducted \u2013 from January to April 2026. Last week, gunmen abducted 39 students and seven \u2060teachers in an attack targeting several schools in<\/p>\n

FG releases names of 21 states, FCT at high risk of Ebola infection – FULL LIST<\/a> The federal government has identified 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as areas at high or moderate risk of Ebola importation following renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(NCDC) disclosed this on Thursday after placing states across the country on heightened Ebola preparedness alert amid fears of cross-border transmission.<\/p>\n

Power sector: More reforms, little impact \u2013 Daily Trust<\/a> It has been three years since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to fix the electricity sector. In fact, he said if he doesn\u2019t fulfill that promise, Nigerians should not vote him back into office. With a year to the expiration of his four-year tenure, many say that he is yet to keep the promise.<\/p>\n

CHOLERA OUTBREAK: 27 die as 2,715 suspected cases recorded in Borno\u00a0 \u2013 The Humanitarian Times<\/a> No fewer than 27 persons have been confirmed dead, while 2,715 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State within the first 24 days of May. The data, contained in an official epidemiological summary obtained by our<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Nigeria remains World Bank\u2019s third-largest borrower with $18.5bn \u2013 Daily Trust<\/a> Nigeria has retained its position as the third-largest borrower from the International Development Association (IDA), the concessional lending arm of the World Bank, despite a slight decline in its debt exposure in the first quarter of 2026. According to the IDA\u2019s March 2026 financial statements, Nigeria\u2019s exposure stood at $18.5 billion as of<\/p>\n

Gunmen abduct 25 people in twin attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara state, police say | Reuters<\/a> ABUJA, May 25 (Reuters) – Suspected bandits attacked a police station and a traditional ruler\u2019s palace in Nigeria\u2019s Kwara state early on Sunday, abducting \u200bat least 10 people and setting part of the palace \u200con fire, police said on Monday. Kwara, in Nigeria\u2019s north-central region, has in recent years faced a spillover of violent<\/p>\n

Yobe, Adamawa, Borno unveil flooding emergency response strategies – Yerwa Express News<\/a> The Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno governments have rolled out various emergency response plans to tackle the impending flooding. They made this known while responding to questions on the state government\u2019s preparedness<\/p>\n

Hepatitis: Rescuing Nigerians from needless deaths – Healthwise<\/a> NIGERIA\u2019S worsening hepatitis burden demands urgent and coordinated action from the government, health authorities and citizens alike. The latest report by the World Health Organisation, which listed Nigeria among countries accounting for a significant proportion of global hepatitis-related deaths in 2024, is both alarming and unacceptable for a country already struggling with fragile healthcare systems and preventable disease outbreaks.<\/p>\n

Nigerian troops kill 12 terrorists in foiled attack on Kirawa, recover cache of arms \u2014 Daily Nigerian<\/a> Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK), have neutralised 12 terrorists and recovered a cache of arms after foiling an attempted attack on military positions along the Kirawa axis, Borno. This is contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, on Saturday. Uba said the attack occurred on Friday, when suspected terrorists<\/p>\n

Islamic State claims first attacks in North-west Nigeria<\/a> The Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) has claimed what appears to be its first reported attacks in North-west Nigeria, in which 18 soldiers and a police officer were killed in Kebbi and Sokoto states. The claims were published in Al-Naba, an Islamic States\u2019 weekly propaganda magazine published on Thursday. The claims came about six months after United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against those he described as Islamic State elements in the<\/p>\n

Terrorism: Court reserves judgement in Owo church massacre trial | Premium Times Nigeria<\/a> The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgement in the trial of five men accused of involvement in the 5 June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo,\u00a0Ondo State<\/a><\/strong>. The five defendants are being prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS) over the attack, which left dozens of worshippers dead and many others injured.<\/p>\n

At the Africa Forward summit, a different conversation about France – RFI<\/a> On the second floor of the Kenyatta\u00a0International<\/a>\u00a0Convention Centre, far from the cameras and presidential motorcades, the cafe stayed unusually busy long after lunch had ended. Young founders sat next to diplomats. \u00a0Investors leaned across small tables, writing numbers on napkins.<\/p>\n

Burkina Faso junta suspends biggest student union and arrests leader | Africanews<\/a> Burkina Faso\u2019s military leaders have suspended the country\u2019s largest student union and arrested its leader. A decree from the Minister for Territorial Administration said the General Union of Students of Burkina (Ugeb) will be barred from operating for three months for \u201cadvocating terrorism\u201d. It is the latest salvo in the ongoing crackdown on independent organisations by the junta which seized power in a 2022 coup.<\/p>\n

Burkina livestock ban welcomed by consumers but hits traders hard | Africanews<\/a> Burkina Faso has suspended the export of all livestock until further notice in a bid to boost meat sales and ensure animals are available on the domestic market. The measure has been widely welcomed but for traders, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. \u201cEvery year, we used to be able to export 500 sheep to\u00a0C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/a>\u00a0and Ghana. This year, frankly, nothing has gone out,” says livestock trader Moussa Sangar\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Benin moves to ease tensions with AES bloc [Africanews Today] | Africanews<\/a> A new political tone in Benin, fresh health fears over Ebola, the shadow of gold trafficking in Sudan, renewed turbulence in Senegal, and preparations for Eid al-Adha in Morocco are shaping Africa\u2019s news agenda this week. Here is an overview of the main developments across the continent. The first words of Benin\u2019s new president, Romuald Wadagni, are being widely interpreted as a call for calm between Cotonou and Niamey.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peace and Security<\/strong><\/p>\n

Global jihadism’s growing grip on Africa – Spotlight on Africa – RFI<\/a> As attacks from jihadist groups allied to Tuaregs continue in Mali, global jihadism threatens Africa like no other region on earth, according to ACLED’s latest report. With the organisation’s expert on West Africa, Spotlight on Africa explores how jihadist groups are expanding across the<\/p>\n

US Defence Secretary claims attacks on Boko Haram are to protect Nigerian Christians<\/a> The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegeseth, has claimed that America\u2019s military operation in Nigeria is based on President Donald Trump\u2019s order to protect Nigerian Christians\u00a0targeted<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by ISIS terrorists\u2014a continued attempt to mischaracterise the security crisis in the country as Christian genocide. Mr Hegeseth said the directive led to the killing of the Islamic State commander, Abubakar Mainok, also<\/p>\n

497 stranded Nigerians arrive Kano\u00a0from Niger Republic\u00a0 \u2013 Daily Trust<\/a> The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has received 497 Nigerian migrants evacuated from Niger Republic through the Jibia border. The returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday at about 12:25pm, from Agadez in Niger Republic. The migrants were received<\/p>\n

Nigeria deploys troops to Benin Republic to safeguard democratic process<\/a> The Nigerian Army has disclosed that it deployed a company of troops to the Republic of Benin in April to support regional stability and prevent breakdown of law and order during the country\u2019s electioneering period. A company in the Nigerian Army typically consists of 80 to 150 soldiers, and it is mostly headed by a major.<\/p>\n

ECOWAS Moves to Break Border Bottlenecks at Strategic Nigeria\u2013Cameroon Trade Corridor By Raymond Enoch \u2013 Paradigm News<\/a> The Economic Community of West African States has launched a high-level monitoring and inspection mission at the Nigeria\u2013Cameroon Joint Border Post in a major push to accelerate regional trade, strengthen security coordination, and ease the movement of people and goods across West and Central Africa.<\/p>\n

TETFund, Army partner on education, defence technology – Yerwa Express News<\/a> The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary\u00a0\u00a0Education<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr Sonny Echono, has reaffirmed the Fund\u2019s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Army to promote\u00a0\u00a0education<\/span><\/a>, security and technological development in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

ISWAP Commander Tracked Six Months by US Drones, Killed<\/a> The Islamic State West Africa Province has confirmed the death of one of its top commanders, Abu Bilal al-Mainuki, following a recent joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and United States special forces around the Lake Chad region in the North-East.<\/p>\n

Nigeria Is Facing An Information War In Its Own Language – HumAngle<\/a> Two years ago, Bashir Muhammad received an invitation to attend a journalism summit in Niamey but declined. That decision, and the argument it provoked, told him everything he needed to know. He runs one of the growing number of Hausa-language digital news platforms that have emerged across northern Nigeria in the past decade, serving local audiences that legacy English-language<\/p>\n

Troops: We rescued 92 kidnapped victims, foiled terrorists\u2019 ambush in Borno \u2013 Daily Trust<\/a> Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 92 kidnapped civilians and foiled an improvised explosive device (IED) ambush in a swift rescue operation along the Buratai\u2013Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno. This is contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Humanitarian<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nigeria Hunger Crisis: 35 Million at Risk, UN Warns<\/a> The United Nations on Friday warned that about 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger from June to August. The UN Humanitarian Country Team in New York City, United States, said Nigeria was facing a deepening hunger crisis, with millions at risk as the lean season approaches.<\/p>\n

Experts raise the alarm over rising maternal deaths in North-East – Healthwise<\/a> Medical experts in Gombe State have raised concerns over the increasing cases of preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, describing the condition as one of the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region. The concerns were raised during a medical outreach and awareness campaign organised by the Preeclampsia Awareness Initiative Club Gombe to commemorate the 2026 World Preeclampsia Day.<\/p>\n

Mobilization and economic development<\/strong><\/p>\n

AfDB expects Africa’s economic growth to slow to 4.2% due to the Middle East crisis | Reuters<\/a> NAIROBI, May 26 (Reuters) – Africa’s economic growth is expected to slow slightly to 4.2% this year from 4.4% last year, the African Development Bank said, as Middle East tensions push up \u200bfuel and food costs, before picking up again in 2027. Despite last year’s shocks \u200cfrom trade and geopolitical tensions, the 54-nation continent remained one of<\/p>\n

Alvarez & Marsal expands into Africa as continent attracts global funds | Reuters<\/a> JOHANNESBURG, May 28 – Consultancy firm Alvarez & Marsal has launched its first African office in Cape Town, \u200btargeting a continent drawing investor interest amid a global scramble \u200cfor critical minerals used in defence, electronics and the energy transition. Competition for minerals between China and the West has turned attention<\/p>\n

AfDB meets under Ebola’s cloud as Africa hunts for development cash at home | Reuters<\/a> NAIROBI, May 25 (Reuters) – African leaders \u200band financiers gathered for the African Development Bank’s annual meeting on Monday as the continent faces shrinking \u200caid flows, with this week’s event in Congo Republic overshadowed by an Ebola outbreak across the border. Overseas development aid from the world’s richest nations to poorer countries\u00a0dropped<\/a>\u00a0by nearly a quarter<\/p>\n

Nigeria economic growth slows slightly in first quarter | Reuters<\/a> ABUJA, May 25 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s economy \u200bgrew 3.89% year-on-year in the first quarter \u200cof 2026\u00a0(NGGDPQ=ECI), opens new tab<\/a>, down slightly from the final quarter of last year’s 4.07% growth rate, official data\u00a0showed<\/a>\u00a0on Monday. Growth \u200bslowed in both the oil and non-oil \u200bsectors when compared with the fourth quarter \u2060of 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics said \u200bin a report. Since taking<\/p>\n

Dangote-backed mega refinery sparks east African competition {Business Africa} | Africanews<\/a> A proposed mega-refinery project backed by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote is igniting regional competition in East Africa, with Kenya and Tanzania both positioning themselves to host what could become one of the continent\u2019s most transformative energy investments. The refinery, still in its planning and expansion phase, is being viewed as a potential game changer for a region that remains heavily dependent on imported refined fuel, despite having significant crude oil reserves.<\/p>\n

African leaders sound alarm on impact of climate change and urbanisation | Africanews<\/a> As climate change continues to wreak havoc across Africa, leaders attending the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, have sounded the alarm. They say extreme weather events and rapid urbanisation are outpacing their ability to respond to the crisis, and that the money to fix it is just not there. The forum brought together government leaders, urban planners, researchers, and development partners from 176 countries to discuss housing challenges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As attacks from jihadist groups allied to Tuaregs continue in Mali, global jihadism threatens Africa like no other region on earth, according to ACLED’s latest report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":53491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,28,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-peace-and-security","category-podcast","category-press-review"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54081"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54081"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54082,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54081\/revisions\/54082"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}