Category: Africa

Nigeria confirms coordination with U.S. in airstrikes on ISIS-linked targets, officials say

Nigerian and U.S. security officials coordinated closely ahead of American airstrikes that hit Islamic State-linked targets in northwest Nigeria, according to Nigerian government and U.S. statements released following the operation.

A senior Nigerian government source told Sahara Reporters that the strikes carried out under President Donald Trump were coordinated largely through the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu. The source said intelligence units within the adviser’s office worked with the U.S. military, including U.S. Africa Command, to identify militant positions tied to ISIS affiliates operating in the region.

The source said the cooperation focused on locating and neutralizing what were described as high-value terrorist targets, though officials have not disclosed how many sites were struck or whether senior militant figures were killed.

Reports from local sources indicated an explosion occurred on the outskirts of Jibo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Sahara Reporters said it was unable to independently confirm casualty figures or assess damage as of the time of publication.

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed on social media that it had conducted strikes against terrorist enclaves in northwest Nigeria. In its initial statement, AFRICOM misspelled Sokoto as “Soboto,” an error that was subsequently corrected. AFRICOM did not provide further operational details.

Nigeria’s federal government later publicly acknowledged the cooperation. Punchng reported that authorities confirmed ongoing intelligence and security collaboration between Abuja and Washington following the airstrikes.

In a statement issued Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeriaiga maintains “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” aimed at countering terrorism and violent extremism. The statement, signed by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the partnership involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and operational support conducted in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said.

The ministry stressed that counterterrorism operations prioritize civilian protection and national cohesion. “Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.

It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The confirmation followed remarks by President Donald Trump, who said Thursday that U.S. forces had launched what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the group of carrying out mass killings, “primarily, innocent Christians,” and warned that further action would follow if the violence continued.

“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” Trump wrote.

In a separate social media post, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was conducted with Nigerian cooperation, thanking the Nigerian government for its support and adding that the Pentagon was “always ready.”

The strikes came amid heightened concern over militant violence in northern Nigeria. They were carried out a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and wounded dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing, underscoring the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups in the region.

Security analysts say the public acknowledgment of coordination marks a significant moment in U.S.–Nigeria relations, as Abuja has often been cautious about foreign military operations on its territory. By emphasizing sovereignty, civilian protection and shared intelligence frameworks, Nigerian officials appear to be seeking to balance domestic sensitivities with the need for external military support.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, adding that updates would be released through official channels as appropriate.

December 26, 2025
President Donald Trump says U.S. forces carried out strikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria

President Donald Trump said the United States military carried out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria, describing the operation as a decisive response to extremist violence that he said has disproportionately targeted Christian communities.

In a Christmas Day post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he ordered what he called a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria. He said the Pentagon executed “numerous” strikes aimed at degrading the group’s capabilities in the region.

Trump said the operation followed repeated warnings to extremists whom he accused of carrying out mass killings. “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay,” he wrote, adding that the strikes were carried out under his direction as commander in chief.

U.S. officials have not released independent confirmation or operational details of the strikes, including targets hit or assessments of casualties. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The announcement came days after U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against ISIS positions in Syria on Dec. 19, following the deaths of two U.S. service members and a civilian interpreter, underscoring what the administration portrays as a broader campaign against Islamic State affiliates across multiple regions.

Trump’s remarks also followed weeks of escalating rhetoric toward Nigeria. On Nov. 1, he accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians and said he had instructed what he called the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action. In that post, Trump said the United States could suspend aid to Nigeria and warned of potential military intervention if violence continued.

Those comments coincided with his administration’s decision on Oct. 31 to designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing what officials described as evidence of “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom,” as reported by CNN and The Associated Press.

Nigeria’s government has strongly rejected that characterization. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nigeria is a secular country with constitutional protections for all faiths and does not condone religious persecution. In a Nov. 1 post on X, Tinubu said the designation did not reflect Nigeria’s reality or the government’s efforts to safeguard religious freedom.

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu wrote, adding that his administration remains committed to cooperation with the United States and the international community.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s press secretary, also pushed back against U.S. criticism after Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned what he described as the “slaughter of thousands of Christians.” Onanuga called that description “a gross exaggeration,” saying violence in Nigeria affects Christians, Muslims, churches and mosques alike. He said Nigeria needs military support to combat extremist groups, not punitive designations.

The violence in Nigeria has been driven by a complex mix of factors, including jihadist insurgencies linked to Islamic State and Boko Haram, criminal banditry, land and resource disputes, and long-running tensions between farming and herding communities. Security analysts say religious identity is often intertwined with broader political and economic grievances, complicating efforts to assign singular motives to attacks.

Trump’s decision to publicly frame the strikes around the protection of Christians signals a sharper linkage between U.S. counterterrorism policy and religious freedom advocacy. Supporters say such messaging sends a strong deterrent signal to extremist groups, while critics warn it risks oversimplifying Nigeria’s conflict dynamics and straining diplomatic ties with a key regional partner.

As of Thursday, Nigerian authorities had not publicly commented on Trump’s claim that U.S. forces carried out strikes on Nigerian territory, and it remained unclear whether the operation was coordinated with Abuja.

USAToday/Foxnews

December 25, 2025
5 Killed in Helicopter Crash During Medical Rescue Mission on Mount Kilimanjaro

Five people died when a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro during a medical rescue mission, Tanzanian authorities said Thursday, marking a rare aviation tragedy on Africa’s highest peak.

The victims were identified as two Czech tourists, a Zimbabwean pilot, a Tanzanian doctor, and a Tanzanian guide, Tanzania National Parks said in a statement, as Reuters reported.

The helicopter crashed near the mountain’s Barafu Camp on Wednesday evening, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said. The accident occurred at an altitude between 4,670 and 4,700 meters (15,322 to 15,420 feet), according to the Mwananchi newspaper.

Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa told journalists the aircraft belonged to Kilimanjaro Aviation company, which has not yet commented on the accident. The Mwananchi newspaper and East Africa TV, citing the region’s head of police, reported the helicopter was conducting a medical rescue mission, Al Jazeera stated.

Two foreigners who police said had been picked up in a medical evacuation were among those killed in the crash between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit, authorities said.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday that investigations had commenced in line with international safety regulations “to determine the circumstances and probable cause” of the accident.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, rises nearly 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) above sea level. Around 50,000 tourists climb Kilimanjaro annually, making it one of the continent’s most popular mountaineering destinations.

Aircraft accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are rare. The last recorded incident occurred in November 2008 when four people died.

While the ascent of Kilimanjaro is not technically difficult compared to other major peaks, altitude sickness remains a significant problem for many climbers attempting the summit.

The crash highlights dangers inherent in high-altitude rescue operations where thin air, unpredictable weather, and challenging terrain create hazardous conditions for aviation. Helicopters operating at extreme altitudes face reduced engine performance due to lower air density, making flights more demanding and leaving less margin for error.

Medical evacuations from Kilimanjaro’s upper reaches typically occur when climbers suffer severe altitude sickness, injuries from falls, or sudden medical emergencies that cannot be adequately treated at mountain camps. The speed helicopters provide in transporting critically ill patients to lower altitudes or medical facilities can mean the difference between life and death, making such rescue missions essential despite risks.

Barafu Camp, where the helicopter crashed, sits at approximately 4,673 meters and serves as the final staging point for climbers attempting Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak via the popular Machame and Umbwe routes. The camp’s high altitude and exposure to weather make it a challenging environment even under normal circumstances.

The accident’s location between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit places it in one of Kilimanjaro’s most demanding zones, where oxygen levels are roughly 50 percent of those at sea level. Pilots operating in such conditions must contend with decreased helicopter performance, potential disorientation, and rapidly changing weather that can obscure visibility within minutes.

The involvement of two Czech tourists being evacuated suggests they may have experienced medical emergencies requiring urgent descent—a common occurrence on Kilimanjaro where altitude-related illnesses affect climbers regardless of fitness level. That they died in the crash attempting to save their lives adds tragic irony to an incident that began as a rescue mission.

The Zimbabwean pilot’s death represents the loss of specialized expertise, as pilots qualified and experienced in high-altitude mountain rescue operations are relatively rare. Such pilots require specific training to handle the unique challenges of operating helicopters in thin air near mountain peaks where downdrafts, turbulence, and limited landing zones create constant hazards.

The Tanzanian doctor and guide who perished were likely accompanying the evacuation to provide medical care during transport and assist with patient handling. Their deaths underscore how mountain rescue operations put first responders at risk while attempting to save others.

Kilimanjaro Aviation’s silence following the accident is not unusual in the immediate aftermath of aviation incidents, as companies typically await investigation findings before making public statements. However, the company will face scrutiny about aircraft maintenance, pilot qualifications, weather assessment procedures, and decision-making protocols for conducting high-altitude rescue missions.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation will examine multiple factors including mechanical failure, weather conditions, pilot error, and operational procedures. Investigators will analyze flight data if available, inspect wreckage, interview witnesses, and review the company’s safety records and maintenance logs.

The rarity of Kilimanjaro aviation accidents—with the previous incident occurring 17 years ago—suggests generally strong safety standards for mountain operations in Tanzania. However, this crash may prompt reviews of rescue mission protocols, altitude operation limits, and equipment requirements for helicopters conducting medical evacuations.

For the families of the five victims, the tragedy transforms what should have been either professional duties (for the crew) or adventure travel experiences (for the tourists) into fatal outcomes. The Czech tourists’ families face the devastating reality that their relatives died not from climbing dangers but in the rescue helicopter meant to save them.

The accident may also affect insurance considerations and rescue operation policies for Kilimanjaro climbs. Tour operators and aviation companies may reassess risk factors, weather thresholds for launching rescues, and whether certain conditions warrant attempting evacuations versus treating patients at altitude until conditions improve.

As investigators work to determine what caused the helicopter to crash in one of Africa’s most challenging aviation environments, the incident serves as sobering reminder that mountain rescue operations involve extraordinary risks for both those being rescued and those conducting rescues. The 50,000 annual Kilimanjaro climbers rely on such rescue capabilities, making helicopter evacuation services essential despite inherent dangers of high-altitude flight operations.

December 25, 2025
Ghanaian Prophet Builds Ark, Claims Christmas Day Flood Will Submerge Earth for 3 Years

ACCRA, Ghana — A 30-year-old Ghanaian man calling himself Ebo Noah has captured widespread social media attention by constructing wooden vessels he claims will provide survival shelter when a divinely revealed global flood begins Christmas Day and continues for three years.

The self-proclaimed prophet, who also uses the name Ebo Jesus, asserts he received a vision instructing him to build modern versions of the biblical Noah’s Ark in preparation for what he characterizes as an imminent catastrophic deluge. Videos documenting his construction efforts have generated millions of views across platforms including TikTok and YouTube.

In a video titled “What will happen and how it will happen,” posted in August, Ebo claimed God revealed that continuous rainfall would commence on Christmas Day and persist for three years. He stated his intention to reside aboard one of the vessels throughout the predicted flooding period.

Social media posts indicate Ebo has constructed or is building multiple wooden boats, though these appear substantially smaller than the biblical Noah’s Ark described in Genesis. The scriptural vessel is recorded as measuring approximately 510 feet in length, 85 feet in width, and 51 feet in height—dimensions that dwarf the craft shown in Ebo’s videos.

Local reports cited by Ghana Web claim Ebo has built around 10 wooden vessels. His videos also display livestock, mirroring elements of the Noah narrative. His posts frequently show him fasting, praying and wearing sackcloth while delivering warnings about impending apocalypse.

No credible meteorological agencies or weather forecasting services have predicted global flooding on Christmas Day or any comparable catastrophic weather event. Despite this absence of scientific support, Ebo’s claims have attracted followers online who express support for his preparations.

Critics have challenged the project on multiple grounds. Some argue the financial resources dedicated to vessel construction could be redirected to assist people experiencing immediate needs. Others have identified practical deficiencies in the boats, including apparent lack of propulsion engines, steering mechanisms, or structural reinforcement necessary to withstand prolonged exposure to floodwaters.

Biblical scholars and Christian commentators have noted that Ebo’s prediction contradicts scriptural passages. Genesis 9:11 records God establishing a covenant with Noah, represented by the rainbow, in which God promises never again to destroy the Earth through flooding. Some Christian interpreters point to biblical prophecy describing future destruction through fire rather than water.

Ebo Noah joins a lengthy historical succession of individuals who have proclaimed imminent doomsday scenarios. Failed apocalyptic predictions span centuries across cultures and religious traditions, with prophesied dates passing without the forecasted catastrophes materializing.

The phenomenon of viral apocalyptic claims reflects broader patterns in digital media ecosystems where sensational predictions can rapidly accumulate massive audiences regardless of evidentiary foundations. Social media platforms’ algorithmic promotion of engaging content can amplify extreme claims, generating visibility that might previously have remained geographically or socially contained.

Ebo’s construction activities and prophetic declarations have generated polarized responses online. Supporters view him as a divinely inspired messenger attempting to preserve human and animal life through faithful obedience to received visions. Skeptics characterize the enterprise as misguided at best or potentially exploitative, particularly if financial contributions from believers fund the construction efforts.

The practical challenges of Ebo’s vessels extend beyond missing mechanical systems. Sustaining human and animal life aboard small wooden boats for three years would require extensive provisions including food, fresh water, waste management systems, medical supplies and shelter from elements beyond simple rainfall. The biblical Noah’s Ark narrative describes meticulous divine instructions regarding vessel dimensions, construction materials and provisioning—details that appear absent from Ebo’s public presentations.

Ghana’s religious landscape includes diverse Christian denominations, traditional spiritual practices and a proliferation of independent prophets and spiritual leaders. Self-proclaimed prophets regularly attract followings through claims of divine revelation, healing powers or foreknowledge of future events. While many operate within established religious frameworks, others function independently, sometimes generating controversy through unconventional teachings or practices.

The intersection of religious prophecy and social media creates unique dynamics. Traditional prophecy typically reached audiences through direct preaching, word-of-mouth transmission or published texts that circulated gradually. Contemporary prophets can instantly broadcast predictions to global audiences, generate immediate feedback through comments and shares, and build followings that transcend geographic boundaries.

As Christmas approaches, attention will focus on whether Ebo’s predicted deluge materializes. Historical precedent overwhelmingly suggests the date will pass without global flooding, leaving questions about how Ebo and his followers will respond to unfulfilled prophecy. Some apocalyptic movements throughout history have disbanded after failed predictions, while others have reinterpreted prophecies, revised timelines or maintained belief despite contradictory evidence.

The broader implications extend beyond one individual’s predictions. The viral spread of apocalyptic claims raises questions about digital literacy, critical thinking in religious contexts and the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating content that might exploit vulnerable individuals or generate panic. While platforms generally protect religious expression, claims that could prompt harmful actions or financial exploitation occupy contested territory in content moderation frameworks.

For Ghana’s communities, Ebo’s predictions present local challenges. If significant numbers of people accept his claims as credible, it could affect economic activity, educational attendance, agricultural planning or other practical decisions as individuals prepare for anticipated catastrophe. Local religious and civic leaders may need to address public concerns and provide alternative perspectives grounded in meteorological science and theological interpretation.

The phenomenon also highlights persistent human fascination with apocalyptic narratives across cultures and eras. Whether grounded in religious texts, environmental concerns, astronomical events or other frameworks, predictions of imminent world-ending catastrophes repeatedly emerge and attract believers despite the consistent pattern of failed prophecies throughout recorded history.

As December 25 arrives and inevitably passes without the prophesied flood, Ebo Noah’s predictions will join the extensive catalog of unfulfilled doomsday proclamations. The episode may serve as a case study in viral misinformation, religious expression in digital spaces and the enduring appeal of apocalyptic thinking in contemporary society.

timesnownews

December 24, 2025
Algeria passes law branding French colonisation a crime, demands apology and reparations

Algeria’s parliament has unanimously approved legislation declaring France’s 132-year colonisation of the country a crime, formally demanding an apology and reparations from Paris in a move that deepens an already strained diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Lawmakers rose to their feet Wednesday, draped in scarves bearing the green, white and red of Algeria’s national flag, chanting “long live Algeria” as the bill passed without opposition. The law assigns France what it calls “legal responsibility for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies it caused,” embedding historical accountability into Algeria’s legal framework.

Parliament Speaker Ibrahim Boughali said the vote sent “a clear message, both internally and externally, that Algeria’s national memory is neither erasable nor negotiable,” the APS state news agency reported.

The legislation catalogues what it describes as the crimes of French colonial rule, including nuclear weapons tests conducted in the Algerian desert, extrajudicial killings, physical and psychological torture, and the systematic exploitation of natural resources. It states that “full and fair compensation for all material and moral damages caused by French colonisation is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people.”

France ruled Algeria from 1830 until independence in 1962, a period marked by mass displacement, repression and a brutal war of independence that lasted from 1954 to 1962. Algerian authorities say the conflict claimed 1.5 million lives, while French historians estimate about 500,000 deaths, the majority of them Algerian.

The vote comes amid a deepening diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris, fueled by disputes over migration, visas, historical memory and regional politics. Analysts say the law carries no enforceable international weight but remains politically potent.

Hosni Kitouni, a researcher in colonial history at the University of Exeter, said the legislation has no binding legal effect on France. “Legally, this law has no international scope and therefore is not binding for France,” he said. “However, its political and symbolic significance is important: it marks a rupture in the relationship with France in terms of memory.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously described France’s colonisation of Algeria as a “crime against humanity,” a rare acknowledgment that was welcomed in Algiers but criticized domestically in France. Macron has stopped short of issuing a formal apology, a step Algerian leaders say is essential for reconciliation.

Asked last week about the parliamentary vote, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux declined to comment, saying France would not weigh in on “political debates taking place in foreign countries.”

Al Jazeera reported that Algerian lawmakers framed the legislation as a response to what they see as repeated attempts to downplay or sideline colonial-era abuses. By placing demands for apology and reparations into law, Algeria is signaling that historical memory will remain central to its engagement with France.

While the measure is largely symbolic, it reinforces Algeria’s long-standing position that unresolved colonial grievances continue to shape present-day relations. Observers say the law could further complicate diplomatic normalization efforts and fuel domestic political narratives in both countries, especially as debates over colonial history remain highly charged on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Aljazeera

December 24, 2025
Explosion During Evening Prayers Kills at Least 7 at Nigerian Mosque, Raising Fears of Resurgent Insurgency

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — At least seven people died Wednesday when an explosion tore through a crowded mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri during evening prayers, witnesses and security sources told AFP, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of jihadist violence in a city that has experienced relative tranquility in recent years.

The blast occurred inside a packed mosque in the city’s Gamboru market as Muslim worshippers gathered for evening prayers around 6:00 p.m. local time (1700 GMT), according to witnesses. No armed groups immediately claimed responsibility for what anti-jihadist militia leader Babakura Kolo characterized as a suspected bombing.

Malam Abuna Yusuf, one of the mosque’s leaders, placed the death toll at eight, though officials have not yet released an official casualty count. Kolo stated that seven were killed.

“We can confirm there has been an explosion,” police spokesman Nahum Daso told AFP, adding that an explosive ordnance disposal team was already deployed to the site.

Kolo indicated the bomb was suspected to have been placed inside the mosque and detonated midway through prayers, though some witnesses described the incident as a suicide bombing. The conflicting accounts reflect the chaos and confusion typical in the immediate aftermath of such attacks.

The number of wounded remained unclear Wednesday evening, though witness Isa Musa Yusha’u told AFP: “I saw many victims being taken away for medical treatment.”

Video footage captured in the aftermath and viewed by AFP showed a person covered in blood writhing on the ground, and what appeared to be bodies covered by sheets. A security alert sent by an international NGO to its staff in Maiduguri, seen by AFP, advised workers to avoid the Gamboru market area.

Maiduguri serves as the capital of Borno state, epicenter of a years-long insurgency by jihadist groups Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, France24 reported.

However, the city itself has not experienced a major attack in years, making Wednesday’s explosion particularly significant for regional security assessments.

No group has claimed responsibility, though militants have previously targeted mosques and crowded places in Maiduguri through suicide bombings and improvised explosive device attacks during the insurgency’s height.

Boko Haram launched its uprising in Borno state in 2009, seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate, Reuters reported. Despite military offensives and regional cooperation among affected nations, sporadic attacks continue threatening civilians throughout Nigeria’s northeast.

Nigeria has battled the jihadist insurgency since 2009 in a conflict that has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced approximately two million from their homes in the northeast, according to the United Nations. While violence has diminished since its peak a decade ago, the conflict has spread into neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Maiduguri itself—once characterized by nightly gun battles and bombings—has remained calm in recent years, with the last major attack recorded in 2021. The relative peace represented a significant achievement for Nigerian security forces and provided residents a respite from years of relentless violence that had transformed the city into a combat zone.

Wednesday’s explosion shatters that calm and raises troubling questions about whether jihadist groups are regaining operational capacity within the city or whether this represents an isolated incident by militants who managed to penetrate security measures.

The attack’s timing during evening prayers maximizes casualties by targeting worshippers when mosques are most crowded, a tactic frequently employed by extremist groups to generate maximum psychological impact.

Reminders of the ongoing conflict remain omnipresent in the state capital, where major military operations are headquartered. Military vehicles traverse the city daily, their beds filled with soldiers whose helmets shield them from afternoon heat.

Evening checkpoints continue operating even as markets that once closed in early afternoon now remain active into the night, reflecting the delicate balance between security measures and efforts to restore normalcy.

Meanwhile, in Borno state’s rural areas, the insurgency continues with undiminished intensity. Analysts warn of an uptick in jihadist violence this year, suggesting that while urban centers like Maiduguri have achieved relative stability, the underlying insurgency remains far from defeated.

The attack exposes persistent vulnerabilities despite years of counterinsurgency operations. Maiduguri’s apparent security has depended partly on extensive military presence, checkpoints and intelligence operations designed to detect and prevent attacks before they occur. Wednesday’s bombing suggests gaps in these defenses or successful adaptation by insurgent groups to evade security measures.

The choice of target carries symbolic significance. Mosques should represent sanctuaries from violence, and attacks on houses of worship during prayer services constitute particularly heinous acts even by the standards of armed conflict.

For Boko Haram and ISWAP, which claim religious motivation for their insurgency, attacking fellow Muslims in mosques creates theological contradictions that the groups typically justify through accusations that victims practice insufficiently pure Islam or collaborate with government forces.

The Gamboru market location increases the attack’s economic impact beyond immediate casualties. Markets serve as economic lifelines for communities, and attacks on marketplaces aim to disrupt commerce, generate fear that discourages economic activity, and demonstrate insurgent capability to strike soft targets.

Previous attacks on markets in northeastern Nigeria have triggered prolonged economic disruptions as traders and customers avoid areas perceived as dangerous.

International humanitarian organizations operating in Maiduguri face renewed security challenges following Wednesday’s attack. The NGO security alert advising staff to avoid the Gamboru market area reflects standard precautionary measures, but sustained insecurity could force organizations to curtail operations precisely when civilian needs for humanitarian assistance may increase.

The absence of immediate responsibility claims creates analytical challenges. While Boko Haram and ISWAP have historically claimed major attacks to gain publicity and demonstrate operational capacity, delayed or absent claims sometimes occur. Groups may withhold claims to avoid backlash when attacks kill fellow Muslims, particularly in mosques, or when operational security concerns outweigh propaganda value of publicity.

Nigeria’s government faces mounting pressure to explain how an attack of this magnitude occurred in Maiduguri after years of relative calm. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has emphasized security improvements in the northeast, and Wednesday’s bombing undermines these narratives while potentially signaling broader deterioration in regional security conditions.

The attack occurs against a backdrop of evolving jihadist strategies in the Sahel and West Africa. As military pressure has increased in some areas, groups have demonstrated adaptability by shifting operations, changing tactics and exploiting governance gaps in remote regions.

The question facing Nigerian security officials is whether Wednesday’s attack represents isolated opportunism or signals a more systematic return to urban terrorism.

For Maiduguri’s residents, Wednesday’s explosion revives traumatic memories of years when the city endured regular attacks. The psychological impact of renewed violence in a city that had begun recovering from years of conflict cannot be overstated. Families who had slowly rebuilt lives and businesses after years of displacement and violence now face renewed uncertainty about their security and futures.

As investigators examine the blast site and authorities attempt to identify perpetrators, Nigerian security forces must reassess their assumptions about insurgent capabilities and intentions.

The relative calm Maiduguri has enjoyed may have bred complacency or allowed insurgent networks to quietly reconstitute presence within the city. Alternatively, the attack may represent a desperate attempt by weakened groups to demonstrate continued relevance through spectacular violence.

The coming days and weeks will prove critical for determining whether Wednesday’s mosque bombing represents an isolated incident or the opening salvo in a renewed campaign of urban terrorism that could undermine years of hard-won security gains in northeastern Nigeria.

France24/Reuters

December 24, 2025
Gunmen seize 28 Muslim travelers en route to religious gathering in central Nigeria

Gunmen intercepted a vehicle carrying Muslim worshippers to a religious celebration in central Nigeria and abducted 28 people, including women and children, underscoring the deepening security crisis that continues to grip Africa’s most populous nation.

The attack occurred on the evening of Dec. 21 near Zak village in the Bashar district of Plateau state as the group traveled to a Maulud gathering marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. A security brief prepared for the United Nations and reviewed by Agence France-Presse said the assailants stopped the vehicle and forced the passengers into captivity. Nigerian police have opened an investigation, the document said, though no immediate arrests were announced.

Plateau state police did not respond to requests for comment, a silence that reflects growing frustration among residents and observers who say security forces remain overstretched and reactive amid escalating violence across the region.

The abduction adds to a wave of mass kidnappings that has renewed international attention on Nigeria’s fragile security environment. The same day as the Plateau state attack, authorities announced the release of 130 schoolchildren in neighboring Niger state, completing the monthlong effort to free more than 250 students taken from a Catholic boarding school. The United Nations has since warned of a sharp rise in large-scale abductions, particularly targeting schools and places of worship.

While attacks have affected both Muslim and Christian communities, the Nigerian government and independent analysts reject characterizations that frame the violence solely along religious lines. Multiple conflicts overlap across the country, fueled by armed criminal gangs, extremist insurgencies, communal tensions and weak local governance. Those dynamics have turned kidnapping into a lucrative enterprise rather than an ideological campaign, security experts say.

A recent report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy, Nigeria, described kidnappings for ransom as a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” estimating that criminal groups generated about $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025. Analysts warn that such figures likely understate the scale of the problem, as many payments go unreported.

The growing insecurity has drawn sharp criticism from the United States, which has threatened intervention over what it describes as mass killings of Christians. Nigerian officials dispute that framing, arguing it oversimplifies a complex national crisis that cuts across ethnic, economic and religious boundaries.

For communities in central Nigeria, the latest abduction reinforces a grim reality: travel to routine religious and social events now carries life-altering risk, while confidence in the state’s ability to deter or swiftly resolve such attacks continues to erode.

France24

December 24, 2025
Nigerian Accused of $1.24 Million Wire Fraud Remanded by Lagos Court Pending US Extradition Hearing

LAGOS, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Tuesday the remand of a Nigerian citizen wanted by United States authorities on charges of wire fraud, email compromise and aiding criminal schemes that allegedly defrauded a company of approximately $1.24 million.

Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the Attorney-General of the Federation’s application to detain Lawrence Folawunmi pending the outcome of extradition proceedings initiated under the Extradition Act (Cap. E25), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. A lawyer from the AGF’s office presented the motion during Tuesday’s proceedings.

Officers from the Interpol Unit of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, arrested Folawunmi following directives from Inspector-General of Police Dr. Kayode Egbetokun.

Court documents reveal that Folawunmi is named in criminal case No. 3:21-00276, filed November 15, 2021, by a grand jury convened at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. The grand jury foreperson signed the indictment, which received certification from the court’s clerk and deputy clerk. Mark H. Wildasin, Acting United States Attorney, and Taylor J. Phillips endorsed the charging document.

United States authorities allege that Folawunmi fraudulently manipulated a firm into altering its payment information across at least eight separate transactions, resulting in the unauthorized transfer of approximately $1.24 million. The scheme represents what law enforcement characterizes as business email compromise, a sophisticated fraud method targeting corporate financial operations.

Counsel from the Attorney-General’s office argued the remand order was necessary to ensure Folawunmi’s availability throughout the extradition proceedings. The government’s position reflects standard practice in international criminal cases where flight risk concerns justify pretrial detention pending resolution of jurisdictional and legal questions.

Defense attorney W. Liadi did not contest the remand application but requested a brief adjournment to prepare and file responses to the extradition suit. The defense counsel’s non-opposition to remand while seeking time to mount a legal challenge represents a tactical approach that acknowledges the immediate detention reality while preserving options to contest the underlying extradition request.

The case highlights Nigeria’s role in international efforts to combat cybercrime, particularly business email compromise schemes that have become increasingly sophisticated and costly for corporations worldwide. Nigerian nationals have figured prominently in US prosecutions of such frauds, though law enforcement officials emphasize that perpetrators represent a small fraction of Nigeria’s population and that many Nigerians work legitimately in technology and financial sectors.

Business email compromise schemes typically involve criminals gaining access to corporate email systems or creating convincing imitations of legitimate business communications.

Perpetrators then manipulate payment instructions, redirecting funds intended for legitimate vendors or business partners into accounts controlled by the fraud network. The crimes require technical sophistication, social engineering skills and often international coordination among criminal conspirators.

The $1.24 million alleged loss in Folawunmi’s case represents a substantial but not unusual sum for such schemes. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has documented business email compromise losses totaling billions of dollars annually, with individual cases ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. The crimes affect businesses of all sizes, though small and medium enterprises often lack the cybersecurity resources and training programs that might prevent successful attacks.

The extradition process in Nigeria follows established legal procedures designed to balance international law enforcement cooperation with protection of individual rights. The Extradition Act requires judicial review of extradition requests, examination of supporting evidence and assessment of whether charged offenses meet criteria for extradition under relevant treaties and domestic law.

Nigeria and the United States maintain an extradition treaty that facilitates transfer of accused individuals between the two countries, though the process can extend months or years depending on legal challenges, evidentiary issues and procedural complexities.

Courts must determine whether alleged conduct constitutes crimes under both nations’ laws—the “dual criminality” requirement—and whether extradition would violate Nigerian constitutional protections or human rights standards.

Defense counsel’s request for time to prepare responses suggests Folawunmi may contest extradition on various grounds. Common challenges in extradition cases include arguments about identity misidentification, lack of sufficient evidence linking the accused to alleged crimes, concerns about fair trial prospects in the requesting country, or claims that extradition would violate human rights protections.

The involvement of Acting United States Attorney Mark H. Wildasin in endorsing the indictment indicates federal prosecutors view the case as sufficiently significant to warrant attention from senior leadership in the Middle District of Tennessee. Federal districts across the United States have made business email compromise prosecutions a priority, recognizing the substantial economic harm these schemes inflict on American businesses and the challenges of pursuing perpetrators operating internationally.

The timing of the case—with an indictment filed in 2021 but arrest occurring in 2024—reflects common delays in international criminal matters. Locating defendants in foreign jurisdictions, coordinating between law enforcement agencies across national boundaries, assembling extradition documentation and navigating diplomatic channels all contribute to extended timelines between charges and arrests.

Inspector-General Egbetokun’s directive for Folawunmi’s arrest demonstrates Nigerian law enforcement cooperation with international partners on cybercrime investigations.

Nigeria has faced criticism over the years for allegedly insufficient action against cybercriminals operating within its borders, though authorities have increasingly prioritized such cases and collaborated with foreign agencies including the FBI, Secret Service and Interpol.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department’s Interpol Unit in Lagos serves as a key nexus for international law enforcement coordination involving Nigerian suspects or victims. The unit processes extradition requests, facilitates information sharing between Nigerian police and foreign agencies and conducts investigations with transnational dimensions.

As the extradition proceedings advance, the case will test legal mechanisms governing international criminal cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The outcome will affect not only Folawunmi’s immediate liberty but potentially establish precedents or clarify procedures applicable to future extradition requests involving cybercrime allegations.

If extradition is granted and Folawunmi is transferred to United States custody, he would face trial in federal court in Tennessee, where conviction on wire fraud charges could result in substantial prison sentences. Federal sentencing guidelines consider factors including loss amount, number of victims, role in the offense and criminal history when determining appropriate punishment.

The broader context involves ongoing international efforts to combat cybercrime through enhanced law enforcement cooperation, improved information sharing and harmonization of legal frameworks across jurisdictions.

Cases like Folawunmi’s demonstrate both the reach of transnational criminal networks and the expanding capacity of law enforcement agencies to pursue suspects across international boundaries, though significant challenges remain in detecting, investigating and prosecuting crimes conducted through digital means across multiple countries.

Credit: Punchng

December 23, 2025
Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Military Leaders Convene Emergency Summit as Jihadist Violence Escalates Toward National Capitals

BAMAKO, Mali — Military leaders from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso convened an emergency summit in Bamako this week as jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State intensify operations across the Sahel region, with attacks increasingly threatening national capitals and armed militants consolidating control over vast rural territories.

The second session of the Alliance of Sahel States’ leadership council brings together Mali’s President Assimi Goïta, Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, who arrived Tuesday morning after an unexpected delay. The December 22-23 gathering aims to strengthen cooperation within the alliance and reduce dependence on the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, from which all three countries withdrew last year, Africanews reported.

Goïta and Tchiani met Monday on the tarmac of Bamako’s airport before proceeding to the presidential palace for preliminary discussions. The summit focuses on defense and security coordination, economic development, communications strategy and counterterrorism efforts across the three states.

Ahead of the gathering, the three nations officially announced creation of a joint military force to combat terrorism throughout the region. On Tuesday, the leaders also launched the Alliance of Sahel States TV broadcaster, described as a mechanism to counter disinformation and promote the bloc’s interests.

Following Goïta’s appointment as alliance president at last year’s inaugural summit, a new head of the organization is expected to be designated in Bamako this week.

The meeting unfolds against a backdrop of rapidly deteriorating regional security conditions. Armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have conducted a wave of attacks that are increasingly edging closer to national capitals while consolidating territorial control over large rural areas, according to Africanperceptions.

This marks the second session of what officials call the “College of Heads of State of the Sahel Alliance.” The three countries, all governed by military authorities who seized power through coups, are attempting to project themselves as a regional force capable of confronting security challenges without external oversight, particularly following the withdrawal of French military forces and the scaling back of United States presence in the region, Africanperceptions stated.

The summit is expected to prioritize strengthening joint military coordination and outlining an urgent response plan to counter growing security threats, despite persistent challenges related to limited financial and military resources among the alliance’s member states, the organization reported.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formed their alliance in 2023 and formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States last year. The moves followed deteriorating relations between all three countries and most of their Western partners after military coups toppled civilian governments, Africanews reported.

The junta-led countries have taken deliberate steps to assert autonomy, including introducing their own travel documents for citizens. However, the three nations remain members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which guarantees continued trade and free movement of goods among its eight members, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Benin.

ECOWAS has indicated openness to allowing Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to continue benefiting from certain bloc privileges, including trade arrangements, despite their formal withdrawal. This pragmatic approach reflects regional recognition that complete economic separation would harm all parties while potentially destabilizing an already fragile region.

The Alliance of Sahel States represents a fundamental restructuring of regional security architecture that dominated West Africa for decades. The French military presence, which once numbered thousands of troops across the Sahel conducting counterterrorism operations, has been systematically expelled from all three countries amid accusations of neocolonialism and ineffectiveness at stemming jihadist violence.

The withdrawal of French forces and reduction of American military footprint creates both opportunities and risks for the military governments. On one hand, it allows them to pursue security strategies without external constraints or political conditions. On the other, it removes significant intelligence capabilities, air support, training programs and financial resources that Western partners provided for counterterrorism operations.

The alliance’s announcement of a joint military force raises immediate questions about operational capacity and sustainability. All three countries face severe resource constraints, aging equipment, training deficiencies and morale challenges within their armed forces. Previous efforts at multinational military cooperation in the Sahel, including the G5 Sahel force, struggled with coordination problems, inadequate funding and limited effectiveness against mobile jihadist networks.

The jihadist threat has evolved significantly since France first intervened in Mali in 2013. What began as localized insurgencies has metastasized into sophisticated networks capable of governing territory, collecting taxes, administering justice and providing basic services in areas where state authority has collapsed. Groups affiliated with al-Qaeda’s Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara have demonstrated adaptability, exploiting ethnic tensions, economic grievances and governance failures to expand their influence.

The expansion of jihadist operations toward national capitals represents a strategic shift from rural insurgency to potential urban warfare. Attacks in areas closer to Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou demonstrate that armed groups are testing government defensive perimeters and potentially preparing for more ambitious operations. Urban attacks would fundamentally change the conflict’s dynamics, potentially triggering humanitarian crises, mass displacement and economic collapse.

The launch of the Alliance of Sahel States TV broadcaster reflects awareness that the conflict extends beyond military dimensions. All three governments face legitimacy challenges after seizing power through force and repeatedly postponing promised returns to civilian rule. A dedicated media platform allows them to shape narratives about security operations, economic development and regional cooperation without relying on international media they view as hostile.

However, the effectiveness of state media in countering what the alliance characterizes as “disinformation” remains questionable. Social media platforms and international news organizations operating in the region provide alternative information sources that governments cannot fully control. Moreover, credibility depends not on messaging sophistication but on tangible improvements in security and living conditions for populations enduring years of violence and instability.

The summit also highlights complex diplomatic positioning. While asserting independence from Western influence, all three countries have deepened relationships with Russia, which has deployed Wagner Group mercenaries—now reorganized under different structures following Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death—to support military operations. These forces have been accused of human rights abuses and failing to significantly improve security outcomes despite their presence.

China has expanded economic engagement throughout the region, pursuing infrastructure projects and resource extraction while avoiding the political conditions Western partners typically impose. Turkey has emerged as another alternative partner, providing military equipment and training while seeking to expand its influence in francophone Africa.

The alliance’s viability ultimately depends on whether it can deliver improved security for populations bearing the primary burden of jihadist violence. Communities across the Sahel face daily threats from armed groups, displacement from their homes, disruption of agriculture and trade, closure of schools and health facilities, and erosion of social cohesion. Military operations that fail to protect civilians or that generate additional grievances through heavy-handed tactics will only compound the crisis.

As the Bamako summit concludes, the three military leaders face a fundamental challenge: translating rhetoric about regional solidarity and autonomous security into effective action against jihadist networks that have proven remarkably resilient. Without significant improvements in intelligence capabilities, logistics, troop training and civil-military coordination—areas where Western partners previously provided crucial support—the Alliance of Sahel States risks becoming another institutional framework that cannot match operational realities on the ground.

The international community watches with concern as the Sahel’s security crisis deepens and regional responses shift away from Western partnerships toward uncertain alternatives. The stakes extend beyond the three alliance countries to the broader West African region, where jihadist expansion could destabilize coastal states, generate massive refugee flows and create ungoverned spaces that terrorist networks exploit for global operations.

Africanperceptions/Africanews

December 23, 2025
Libyan Military Chief Dies in Turkish Plane Crash Alongside 4 Senior Officers, Initial Findings Point to Technical Failure

ANKARA, Turkey — Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, perished Tuesday in a plane crash near Ankara alongside four senior military officers after departing the Turkish capital following official bilateral meetings, Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah announced.

“This followed a tragic and painful incident while they were returning from an official trip from the Turkish city of Ankara. This grave loss is a great loss for the nation, for the military institution, and for all the people,” Dbeibah said in a statement.

The commander of Libya’s ground forces, the director of its military manufacturing authority, an adviser to the chief of staff, and a photographer from the chief of staff’s office also died in the crash, the prime minister said.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on X that the Dassault Falcon 50-type jet departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 1710 GMT en route to Tripoli. Radio contact was lost at 1752 GMT, he said, and authorities subsequently located the aircraft’s wreckage near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district.

The jet requested an emergency landing while over Haymana, but no contact was established, Yerlikaya said. The cause of the crash remained unclear Tuesday evening.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that the Ankara chief prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident. Initial findings suggest a technical error, Al Jazeera reported, citing official Libyan statements, though investigators have not released preliminary conclusions.

Walid Ellafi, state minister of political affairs and communication for the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, told broadcaster Libya Alahrar that officials lack clarity on when a crash report would be finalized. The jet was a leased Maltese aircraft, Ellafi said, adding that officials did not have “sufficient information regarding its ownership or technical history,” which would be investigated.

Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, stated the delegation had arrived in Turkey “in a private jet that was rented by the Libyan government from an outside company.”

Libya’s United Nations-recognized Government of National Unity announced three days of official mourning across the country. The Tripoli-based government said Dbeibah directed the defense minister to dispatch an official delegation to Ankara to monitor proceedings.

Turkey’s defense ministry had announced Al-Haddad’s visit earlier, stating he met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Turkish Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, along with other Turkish military commanders. The meetings focused on bilateral cooperation in security and defense matters, Koseoglu reported.

Al Jazeera’s Malik Traina, reporting from Tripoli, said he knew Al-Haddad personally and characterized his death as a “huge loss” to the Libyan military. “He was a career military man, someone that everybody respected, and he went by the book,” Traina said.

“He was someone that people here in Western Libya really respected, someone who always adhered to the law and followed the rules, and he didn’t take side with any militias, no matter how powerful they were. It is a really huge loss to the Libyan military institution,” Traina stated.

While Al-Haddad served in the military for decades, he played a prominent role supporting rebels during the uprising against former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Traina noted.

The crash occurred one day after Turkey’s parliament approved extending the mandate for Turkish military deployment in Libya by two additional years. The timing, while apparently coincidental, underscores Turkey’s deepening military and political engagement with Libya’s internationally recognized government.

NATO member Turkey has provided military and political support to Libya’s Tripoli-based government since 2020, when it dispatched military personnel to train and assist government forces. Ankara later reached a maritime demarcation accord with Tripoli, which Egypt and Greece have disputed.

In 2022, Ankara and Tripoli signed a preliminary accord on energy exploration, which Egypt and Greece also oppose. The agreements have positioned Turkey as a major stakeholder in Libya’s complex political landscape and Mediterranean energy competition.

However, Turkey has recently adjusted its approach under a “One Libya” policy, increasing contacts with Libya’s eastern faction as well. This shift reflects Ankara’s recognition that sustainable influence in Libya requires engagement with all major political players rather than exclusive alignment with the Tripoli government.

Al-Haddad’s death removes a stabilizing figure from Libya’s fractured military landscape at a sensitive moment. The country remains divided between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli and rival authorities in the east, with various militia groups controlling territory and resources. Military leaders who maintain neutrality among competing factions, as Al-Haddad reportedly did, play crucial roles in preventing renewed civil conflict.

The loss of five senior military officers simultaneously represents a significant blow to Libya’s defense establishment and command structure. The deaths create leadership vacancies across multiple critical military domains—ground forces, military manufacturing, and strategic planning—requiring rapid succession decisions during an already unstable period.

Questions about the leased aircraft’s maintenance history and technical condition will likely intensify scrutiny of how Libyan government officials travel internationally. The reliance on leased aircraft from external companies, while common among governments with limited aviation resources, introduces variables around maintenance standards, pilot training and operational oversight that state-owned aircraft might better control.

The investigation’s findings will prove consequential for Turkish-Libyan relations. If technical failures in a Turkish-leased aircraft or air traffic control shortcomings contributed to the crash, it could complicate the bilateral military cooperation that the delegation’s visit was intended to strengthen. Conversely, if the aircraft’s maintenance issues originated with the Maltese leasing company or Libyan operational decisions, it would direct scrutiny elsewhere.

Turkey’s prompt investigation through the Ankara chief prosecutor’s office demonstrates sensitivity to the diplomatic implications. A thorough, transparent inquiry that identifies root causes will be essential for maintaining trust between the two governments and ensuring accountability for what appears to be a preventable tragedy.

As Libya observes three days of mourning, the crash highlights the persistent dangers facing government officials operating in conflict-affected regions with limited infrastructure and resources. The deaths of Al-Haddad and his colleagues represent not merely personal tragedies but institutional setbacks for a country struggling to build professional military and governmental structures capable of navigating Libya’s path toward stability and reunification.

Reuters/Aljazeera

December 23, 2025