Latest Abuja News

Death toll from stampedes at 2 Christmas charity events in Nigeria rises to 32

Dec. 22, 2024 04:51 AM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The death toll from stampedes during two Christmas charity events in Nigeria has increased from 13 to 32, police said Sunday, with many of the victims collapsing during a crowd surge as people grew desperate for food items. The dead included 22 people in...

13 people including children die in stampedes in Nigeria at Christmas charity events

Dec. 21, 2024 12:09 PM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, the police said Saturday. The two accidents came days after...

West Africa regional bloc sets up court for crimes under dictatorship in Gambia

Dec. 15, 2024 17:19 PM EST

SERREKUNDA, Gambia (AP) — West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS on Sunday approved setting up a special court to try crimes committed in Gambia during its military dictatorship. The landmark decision was announced at the summit of regional heads of state in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja....

In Nigeria's lithium boom, many mines are illegal and children do much of the work

Dec. 12, 2024 07:50 AM EST

NASARAWA, Nigeria (AP) — Dressed in a faded pink dress, 6-year-old Juliet Samaniya squats under scorching skies to chip at a jagged white rock with a stone tool. Dust coats her tiny hands and her hair as she works hour after hour for less than a dollar a day. The landscape around her is dotted...

Takeaways from AP's report on child labor in Nigeria lithium mines

Dec. 11, 2024 22:18 PM EST

NASARAWA, Nigeria (AP) — Growing demand for the lithium used in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage has created a new frontier for mining in Nigeria. But it’s led to exploitation of children who are often poor and take work in small, illegal mines to support...

Nigeria turns to natural gas as transport prices soar after petrol subsidies were removed

Nov. 24, 2024 03:29 AM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — When Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu ended the costly subsidies that made petrol affordable for many in Africa's most populous country, Ahmed Halilu knew his e-hailing cab business in the capital, Abuja, was about to run into huge losses. Transportation costs...

Indian and Nigerian leaders pledge stronger security ties and support for Global South

Nov. 17, 2024 10:12 AM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The leaders of Nigeria and India pledged stronger ties in maritime security and counterterrorism during a meeting on Sunday where they also agreed on more support for Global South nations. In his first visit to Nigeria, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was...

Nigeria releases 29 children who potentially faced death penalty for alleged involvement in protests

Nov. 05, 2024 13:25 PM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities released Tuesday 29 children who have been detained for over two months and potentially faced the death penalty for their alleged participation in protests against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis following growing calls for their release. ...

Building collapse in Nigeria's capital leaves at least 7 dead

Oct. 28, 2024 11:34 AM EDT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A building collapsed in a suburban area of Nigeria’s capital over the weekend, killing at least seven people, police said Monday. The building, located in the Sabon-Lugbe area of Abuja, had already been partly demolished and its structure was further...

Nigeria releases American crypto executive after dropping money laundering case

Oct. 24, 2024 15:04 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — An American cryptocurrency executive held in Nigeria for the past eight months has been released after authorities there announced they were ending his money laundering trial on health and diplomatic grounds. Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime...