Latest Abuja News
West African defense chiefs propose a $2.6 billion security plan that analysts say might not work
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Defense chiefs of West Africa on Thursday proposed an ambitious plan to deploy a 5,000-strong “standby force” to fight the region’s worsening security crises, a measure that analysts say might not work due to challenges of funding and division within the regional bloc....
More African nations focus on HPV vaccination against cervical cancer, but hesitancy remains
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Yunusa Bawa spends a lot of time talking about the vaccine for the human papillomavirus that is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. But on most days, only two or three people allow their daughters to be vaccinated in the rural part of Nigeria where he works....
Nigeria is emerging as a critical mineral hub. The government is cracking down on illegal operations
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's government is cracking down on illegal mining, making dozens of arrests of unlicensed miners since April for allegedly stealing the country’s lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and power systems. The...
Gunmen abduct 9 students in Nigeria's north in the latest attack targeting schools
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least nine students have been abducted by gunmen during a late-night raid on their school in northern Nigeria’s Kogi state, authorities said Friday, the third such abduction amid rampant kidnappings targeting schools in the conflict-hit region this year. ...
Mixing games and education, Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Nigeria to promote mental health
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria amid pomp and dancing on Friday to champion mental health for young people affected by conflicts and to promote the Invictus Games, which the prince founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and...
Nigerian journalist's arrest last week triggers criticism of worsening press freedoms
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A Nigerian journalist’s arrest last week has triggered criticism of worsening press freedoms in the West African country. Daniel Ojukwu with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism went missing last Wednesday in the economic hub of Lagos. His family and...
Nigerians struggle with fuel shortages as queues form across major cities
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerians were queuing for hours to buy fuel across major cities on Tuesday as the West African nation struggled with its latest fuel shortage, causing more hardship for millions already struggling in an economic crisis. The fuel shortage has led to an...
More than 100 inmates break free from an old Nigerian prison after heavy rains
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — More than 100 inmates escaped from an old and decrepit prison near Nigeria's capital after overnight heavy rains destroyed parts of the facility, a prison official said Thursday as security agencies searched for the fugitives. An hours-long downpour late...
Nigeria seeks to try crypto exchange Binance executives over alleged money laundering, tax evasion
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities asked in court Thursday for cryptocurrency exchange Binance and two of its executives to be tried for alleged money laundering and tax evasion, the first legal step following weeks of a criminal investigation into the trading platform. ...