ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerians on Friday marked three years since the mass abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls by Boko Haram extremists amid anger that government efforts to negotiate their freedom appear to have stalled. Activists were rallying in the capital, Abuja, and commercial hub Lagos to urge President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to do more … Continue reading
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigeria subsidiary “fiercely opposed” environmental testing and is concealing data showing thousands of Nigerians are exposed to health hazards from a stalled cleanup of the worst oil spills in the West African nation’s history, according to a German geologist contracted by the Dutch-British multinational. An environmental study found … Continue reading
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Hundreds of Nigerians marched Monday to protest poverty and corruption as President Muhammadu Buhari’s prolonged absence abroad for medical tests raises political and economic tensions. “Nigerians are frustrated and tired with this absentee government,” activist Omoyele Sowore said as he marched in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. Protesters carried placards saying: “Unemployed … Continue reading
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Thousands of children have died of starvation and disease in Boko Haram-ravaged northeastern Nigeria, Doctors Without Borders said Tuesday quoting a new survey that is forcing Nigerian officials to stop denying the crisis. The Paris-based organization hopes that official recognition of the calamity in which “thousands are dying” will help bring … Continue reading
WARRI, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian militants have bombed an oil export pipeline operated by U.S.-based multinational Chevron, according to the attackers and residents, and the militants are warning companies not to carry out repairs to sabotaged infrastructure that has reduced oil exports from Africa’s largest economy to a near 30-year low. The warning against repairs … Continue reading
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s government is negotiating the release of another 83 of the Chibok schoolgirls taken in a mass abduction two-and-a-half years ago, but more than 100 others appear unwilling to leave their Boko Haram Islamic extremist captors, a community leader said Tuesday. The unwilling girls may have been radicalized by Boko Haram … Continue reading
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Joy, jubilation and dancing erupted Sunday, Oct. 9, when a group of Nigerian parents were reunited with 21 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram 2 ½ years ago and freed in the first negotiated release organized by the government and the Islamic extremist group. The girls were hugged and embraced by their … Continue reading
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — An explosion targeted a passenger-filled taxi in northeastern Nigeria’s largest city on Wednesday, killing eight people in the deadliest bombing there in several months, officials said. The National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that 15 people had been hospitalized with injuries. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast. … Continue reading
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The timing is uncomfortable. One of Africa’s best-performing economies on Wednesday launched its latest massive infrastructure project, a railway linking the landlocked country with a major port on the Gulf of Aden. But it came just days after dozens were killed in anti-government protests in the region the railway runs … Continue reading
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Violence flared again Monday, Sept. 26, in Ethiopia’s restive Oromia region, where 52 people were killed a day earlier in a stampede when police tried to disrupt an anti-government protest amid a massive religious festival. Clashes between security forces and protesters erupted Sunday evening and continued Monday morning in the towns … Continue reading
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Islamic extremists have killed eight soldiers and wounded 17 in two attacks in northeastern Nigeria, the country’s military said Monday. The attacks bring the official toll to 10 troops killed and 24 wounded this past week after a lull during which the extremists confronted a leadership struggle. The Islamic State group’s … Continue reading
BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — The governor of Nigeria’s northeast Borno state is making a symbolic relocation to a town recently occupied by Boko Haram extremists, declaring that “We cannot wait forever before we reclaim our destiny.” The region is trying to recover after months, even years, of occupation as the extremists slowly lose control of … Continue reading
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria is suing several leading oil companies for $12.7 billion of crude oil that allegedly was exported illegally to the United States between 2011 and 2014, officials said Tuesday. The Federal High Court in Lagos begins hearings next week in cases filed against Nigerian subsidiaries of U.S. multinational Chevron, British-Dutch Shell, … Continue reading
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari apologized Saturday, Sept. 17, for plagiarizing President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech and said he will punish those responsible. The announcement came as Obama is set to meet Buhari, the leader of Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, next week in New York. Adeola Akinremi in her … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will review military strategy against the Islamic State group, press nations to admit more refugees and review progress around the world, despite new challenges, when he makes his final appearance at the U.N. General Assembly session in New York next week, the White House said Friday. On the sidelines … Continue reading
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