Author: Faith Daniel
US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that he could authorize additional airstrikes on Nigeria if attacks on Christians persist in the West African nation. In an extensive interview with the New York Times, Trump was asked whether the strikes conducted on Christmas Day in Sokoto state—targeting Islamist militants—were part of a wider military campaign. “I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike,” Trump stated. Nigeria’s government has consistently rejected earlier claims by Trump that it is failing to protect Christians from jihadist violence. Officials emphasized…
As Ugandans prepare to head to the polls next week, voters are faced with a defining choice: extending the rule of a leader who has dominated politics for nearly four decades, or backing an opposition figure hoping to harness growing calls for change. President Yoweri Museveni, now 81 years old and in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh consecutive electoral victory. If successful, his presidency would stretch deeper into a fifth decade. Standing against him is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician who has positioned himself as the face of reform, promising sweeping changes to governance and a break from…
Thirty-one years ago, two Kenyan pilots were approached with a request that would pull them into one of the most delicate and secretive aviation missions of their careers. Hussein Mohamed Anshuur and Mohamed Adan were working from their office at Wilson Airport in Nairobi when a Nigerian diplomat unexpectedly arrived. What followed was an extraordinary proposal: to discreetly transport the body of Somalia’s former president, Siad Barre, from Nigeria back to Somalia for burial. Barre had died in exile in Lagos at the age of 80, four years after fleeing Somalia following his overthrow. The mission required flying his body…
The United States government has announced a new visa bond requirement for Nigerian travellers, along with nationals of 37 other countries, mandating applicants to post substantial financial guarantees before receiving U.S. visitor visas. The policy also restricts entry and exit to designated American airports. Under the policy, announced by the U.S. Department of State, applicants seeking B1/B2 (business and tourism) visas from affected countries may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on an assessment conducted during the visa interview. For Nigerians, the measure will take effect on January 21, 2026. The initiative is part…
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has said that Nigeria possesses sufficient resources to provide basic necessities for its citizens, but poor governance and mismanagement continue to undermine national development. Obi shared his views while recounting an encounter with a young Nigerian nurse, born and trained in the United States, who recently visited Nigeria for the first time. In a post on his X account on Tuesday, Obi highlighted the tragic road accident involving friends of international boxer Anthony Joshua in Ogun State during the yuletide period. He noted that the incident exposed Nigeria’s weak emergency response system, as victims…
Abubakar Malami (right), married to former President Buhari’s daughter (left), was widely regarded as one of the most powerful ministers in the previous administration. A Nigerian court has granted bail to former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, along with his wife and son, who are facing charges of money laundering. Malami, 58, played a central role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government from 2015 to 2023. Last month, he was charged with 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office, involving a total of 8.7 billion naira ($6 million; £4.5 million), and has been in custody since 30 December. In…
Burkina Faso’s military government has announced that a plot to assassinate its leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, was uncovered and prevented. The plan was allegedly orchestrated by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the former leader ousted by Traoré in September 2022, according to the country’s security minister, Mahamadou Sana. The plot reportedly aimed to target Traoré and other key institutions, including civilian figures, and was allegedly funded by Ivory Coast. Authorities say intelligence services intercepted the operation at the last moment, with a leaked video reportedly showing the conspirators discussing how to assassinate the president—either directly or by planting explosives at…
The brutal killing of a 14-year-old orphan in Somalia has triggered nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny of how child abuse is handled in a country where violence inside the home often goes unseen and unpunished. Saabirin Saylaan was murdered in November by a woman who had been entrusted with her care. The crime, and the disturbing details that later emerged, sparked protests in the central city of Galkayo and intensified demands for stronger child protection measures. A court convicted 34-year-old Hodan Mohamud Diiriye of murder, sentencing her to death — a rare and severe punishment in cases involving child abuse.…
Ugandan authorities have rejected claims that they intend to block internet access during next week’s general election, following renewed concerns from opposition figures and civil society groups. The issue resurfaced after the main opposition candidate alleged that the government planned to shut down the internet to prevent supporters from organising and sharing election results. These fears intensified on Friday when satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda after receiving an order from the country’s communications regulator. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, is seeking to extend his rule in elections scheduled for…
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic has secured a third term in office after winning an outright majority in last month’s presidential election, according to provisional results. The 68-year-old former mathematics professor won 76% of the vote, figures released late on Monday by the country’s election authority show. His victory had been widely anticipated after the main opposition coalition boycotted the poll, arguing that the election process would not be fair. The general election was held on 28 December, with more than 2.4 million people registered to vote. Observers described the vote as largely peaceful, despite delays caused…
