Nigeria

Tragic Mosque Explosion in Maiduguri During evening prayers, an explosion in a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno state, led to the deaths of several worshippers. This tragic event has raised alarms about the insurgency in the region. Incident occurred at a mosque in the city's Gamboru market. Witnesses reported a suspected bombing during evening prayers. Conflicting reports on the death toll, with estimates between seven and eight dead. Details of the Attack The explosion took place as worshippers gathered for…

Rwanda Closes 10,000 Churches in Major Crackdown on Religious Organizations The Rwandan government has reportedly closed about 10,000 churches across the country for failing to comply with a 2018 law regulating faith-based organizations. This sweeping action underscores an increasingly stringent approach to religious oversight and governance within the nation. According to the 2018 legislation, places of worship are mandated to meet strict health and safety standards, submit annual activity and financial reports, and…

U.S. surveillance flights over Nigeria have ramped up since late November, signaling a sharp uptick in security cooperation as Washington presses Abuja to curb mounting violence, including attacks on Christian communities. Flight-tracking data and current and former U.S. officials confirm contractor-operated missions flying near daily from Accra, Ghana, across Nigerian airspace and back. It was not immediately clear what specific intelligence the aircraft are collecting. A current U.S. official confirmed the flights but…

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Heirs Energies Limited have announced a landmark US$750 million financing partnership designed to optimize Heirs Energy's capital structure and unlock critical liquidity to support its working capital requirements as it pursues its ambitious field development program. The investment is expected to significantly transform Nigeria's domestic energy capacity as demand rises. This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Nigeria, a nation grappling with increased energy demands and…

U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria, Rules Out Military Deployment A U.S. Congressional delegation that recently visited Nigeria to assess the country's security situation has ruled out the possibility of deploying American troops to the West African nation. The lawmakers stated that Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is aimed at encouraging diplomatic reforms rather than invoking military intervention. "It is unacceptable that anyone—Muslim or Christian—is experiencing this level of…

Nigerian Authorities Secure Release of Remaining Schoolchildren Abducted in Niger State Nigerian authorities have announced the successful release of the final 130 schoolchildren and staff abducted from St. Mary's Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger state, effectively bringing an end to one of the country’s most harrowing mass kidnappings. The ordeal began on November 21, when more than 250 individuals were taken during a brazen attack. Earlier this month, about 100 children had been freed, and 50 were reported to…

The Release of Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolchildren Nigerian authorities have announced the release of 130 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state. This follows the earlier release of 100 students from the same incident. The children were kidnapped from St Mary's co-educational boarding school in Papiri. Niger state has faced recent abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping. The government is dealing with multiple security concerns, including armed gangs and…

The Excitement Builds as AFCON 2023 Kicks Off in Morocco As teams begin to arrive in Morocco for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The tournament, which kicks off this weekend, will see the hosts take on Comoros in a highly anticipated opening match that promises to set the tone for a month filled with thrilling football. A Month of Football Rivalries This year’s AFCON features 24 nations, divided into six gripping groups, each showcasing intense rivalries that…

Unity Schools Reopen Amid Enhanced Security Measures The government has announced the reopening of 47 unity schools that were closed in November following a surge in school abductions. With the implementation of strengthened security measures around affected campuses, academic activities have fully resumed. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Education explained that the closures had been prompted by mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. Notably, at least 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Kebbi, while…

In a significant shakeup within Nigeria's petroleum regulatory landscape, President Bola Tinubu has replaced the heads of two pivotal agencies following the resignation of their chief executives. The changes affect the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), marking a notable turn in the country’s oil and gas governance. The resignations of Farouk Ahmed, head of NMDPRA, and Gbenga Komolafe, head of NUPRC, come in the wake…