Boko Haram again in the headlines after deadly Nigerian airstrikes and abductions linked to the group; a brutal Islamist insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
Somalia's food insecurity has worsened due to ongoing drought, conflict, and funding cuts. Over 6.5 million people are in crisis or worse, with 1.84 million children at risk of malnutrition. Humanitarian aid has been reduced, and displacement continues as the drought persists into 2026.
Recent attacks across Nigeria and the Sahel highlight escalating jihadist activity, with regional forces struggling to contain violence. Nigeria's military faces criticism for failures at home, while ECOWAS plans a regional troop deployment amid growing insecurity and regional fragmentation. The threat is intensifying and spreading.
President Bola Tinubu's two-day state visit to the UK, the first in 37 years, focused on deepening diplomatic, economic, and security relations. Discussions included trade, regional stability, and cultural ties, with agreements on trade summits and security cooperation. The visit highlights Nigeria's progress and strategic partnership with the UK.
Pope Francis is undertaking a major trip from April 13-23, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The visit includes interfaith dialogues, peace initiatives amid regional conflicts, and visits to significant religious sites, with private meetings with national leaders. The trip aims to promote peace and religious unity across Africa.
The US has deployed MQ-9 drones and approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to support local forces against Islamist militants. The deployment focuses on intelligence gathering and training, following recent attacks and US strikes. This marks the first time US soldiers are involved in combat support in Nigeria since 2024.
On March 25, 2026, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution supporting reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The resolution, supported by 123 countries, calls for acknowledgment, apologies, return of cultural artifacts, and measures to address systemic racism. The US, Israel, and Argentina opposed; 52 abstained. The move aims to promote justice and healing for victims.
Multiple attacks by Boko Haram and Ansaru have targeted military bases in Nigeria, resulting in casualties. Recent assaults in Borno and Kwara states have killed soldiers and injured others, with insurgents increasing pressure on overstretched Nigerian forces amid ongoing military operations.
Nigeria has prosecuted over 500 Boko Haram and ISWAP suspects, securing 386 convictions in a series of fast-tracked trials. Sentences range from five years to life imprisonment, with rehabilitation mandated. The trials, monitored by international observers, address a decade-long insurgency that has caused thousands of deaths and displacements.
Airstrikes by the Nigerian military on Jilli village in Yobe State have resulted in over 200 casualties, according to local sources and international organizations. The military targeted Boko Haram fighters during a pursuit, but civilian casualties have been reported near a market. An investigation is underway.
Recent Nigerian military airstrikes near Jilli and Jilli market have resulted in high civilian casualties, with reports indicating over 100 deaths. The strikes targeted suspected terrorist enclaves linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP, but local authorities and human rights groups dispute the military's claims, citing civilian harm and misfires. The situation highlights ongoing security challenges in Nigeria's northeast.
Nigerian military airstrikes in northeast Nigeria have caused civilian casualties, with reports of over 100 deaths. The strikes targeted Islamist militants but have been criticized for affecting markets and local populations. The government has ordered an investigation amid ongoing conflict with Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Armed gangs in Nigeria have abducted students and travelers, with ongoing rescue efforts. Recent incidents include the kidnapping of 14 passengers on the Otukpo-Makurdi highway, prompting government and security responses. The insecurity continues to disrupt education and travel in Nigeria's northern region as of April 24, 2026.
A Cessna 208 Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd has crashed about 20 kilometers southwest of Juba, killing 15 people on board including 13 South Sudanese and 2 Kenyans. Initial findings point to adverse weather and poor visibility. Investigators have been dispatched to the scene.
A Science study has found that large-scale, sudden cuts to USAID funding have correlated with a significant rise in conflict in Africa’s USAID-dependent regions. Researchers say the abrupt withdrawal disrupted contracts, staffing and procurement, and note the finding shows the effect of an unexpected disruption rather than that aid alone reduces conflict.
Armed attackers have abducted dozens of students from a primary school in Mussa, Borno State, and at least 40 more from a Baptist school in Oyo State. Authorities are assessing numbers while rights groups warn that abductions are driving families to pull children from school.
A joint Nigerian-US operation in the Lake Chad Basin has killed Abu Bakr al-Minuki, a senior ISWAP commander linked to ISIL, with authorities saying no US or Nigerian forces were harmed. The strike, described as highly precise, follows a period of intensified security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.