Nigerian authorities captured two top leaders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group accused of some of the country's deadliest attacks. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called it a major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency and banditry. Security experts have welcomed the arrests, calling them a strong sign that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts are gaining ground.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Video - Security experts applaud Nigeria’s arrest of high-profile Ansaru militants
Nigerian authorities captured two top leaders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group accused of some of the country's deadliest attacks. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called it a major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency and banditry. Security experts have welcomed the arrests, calling them a strong sign that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts are gaining ground.
Gunmen kill at least 27 in mosque attack in northern Nigeria
At least 27 worshippers have been killed and several wounded when armed bandits stormed a mosque in northern Nigeria’s Katsina state during morning prayers, a village head and a hospital official said.
The gunmen opened fire inside a mosque as Muslims gathered to pray at around 04:00 GMT in the remote community of Unguwan Mantau in the Malumfashi local government area, residents said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but such attacks have become more common in Nigeria’s northwestern and north-central regions, where local herders and farmers often clash over limited access to land and water.
The attacks have killed and injured scores, with a June attack in north-central Nigeria killing more than 100 people. Amnesty International called for the government to end the “almost daily bloodshed in Benue state”. That attack took place in Yelwata, a town in Benue State, according to Amnesty.
The prolonged conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up arms.
The state’s commissioner, Nasir Mu’azu, said the army and police have deployed in the area of Unguwan Mantau following Tuesday’s bloodshed to prevent further attacks, adding that gunmen often hide among the crops in farms during the rainy season to carry out assaults on communities.
The gunmen opened fire inside a mosque as Muslims gathered to pray at around 04:00 GMT in the remote community of Unguwan Mantau in the Malumfashi local government area, residents said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but such attacks have become more common in Nigeria’s northwestern and north-central regions, where local herders and farmers often clash over limited access to land and water.
The attacks have killed and injured scores, with a June attack in north-central Nigeria killing more than 100 people. Amnesty International called for the government to end the “almost daily bloodshed in Benue state”. That attack took place in Yelwata, a town in Benue State, according to Amnesty.
The prolonged conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up arms.
The state’s commissioner, Nasir Mu’azu, said the army and police have deployed in the area of Unguwan Mantau following Tuesday’s bloodshed to prevent further attacks, adding that gunmen often hide among the crops in farms during the rainy season to carry out assaults on communities.
Nigeria adopts US-style social media visa vetting
Nigeria on Monday said it plans to impose reciprocal visa requirements on US citizens following Washington's new rule demanding that Nigerian applicants disclose their social media activity for the past five years.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision after the US Mission in Nigeria issued its directive over the weekend.
What does the US visa rule require?
The US Mission said applicants must list all social media usernames, handles, email addresses and phone numbers linked to accounts used in the last five years.
"Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form," the mission said.
It added that applicants would be required to certify that the information in their visa application was correct before signing and submitting it.
"Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas," said the mission.
The regulation is part of broader measures by the Trump administration that it says are to "ensure national security."
The rule expands an earlier requirement for international students to share their accounts and even lower privacy settings.
Officials said the information would help vet applications more thoroughly.
What is Nigeria planning in response to the US visa requirement?
Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government would adopt the same measures for Americans applying for Nigerian visas.
"Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures. Anything visa is reciprocal. What you are mandating our nationals to do, we will also mandate your citizens applying for our visa to do," he said.
He added that the Foreign Ministry will hold an inter-agency meeting with the Interior Ministry and the National Intelligence Agency to finalize the policy.
"We will have a meeting and agree on our best way to respond to it holistically," Ebienfa said. Officials stressed that Nigeria was informed of the US plan in advance.
The move comes as Nigeria faces pressure to protect its citizens from what it sees as restrictive foreign immigration rules.
Ebienfa's comments were reported in the online editions of two of Nigeria's biggest newspapers, Punch and Vanguard.
In July, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the country would not bow to increased pressure to accept deported Venezuelans from US President Donald Trump.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision after the US Mission in Nigeria issued its directive over the weekend.
What does the US visa rule require?
The US Mission said applicants must list all social media usernames, handles, email addresses and phone numbers linked to accounts used in the last five years.
"Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form," the mission said.
It added that applicants would be required to certify that the information in their visa application was correct before signing and submitting it.
"Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas," said the mission.
The regulation is part of broader measures by the Trump administration that it says are to "ensure national security."
The rule expands an earlier requirement for international students to share their accounts and even lower privacy settings.
Officials said the information would help vet applications more thoroughly.
What is Nigeria planning in response to the US visa requirement?
Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government would adopt the same measures for Americans applying for Nigerian visas.
"Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures. Anything visa is reciprocal. What you are mandating our nationals to do, we will also mandate your citizens applying for our visa to do," he said.
He added that the Foreign Ministry will hold an inter-agency meeting with the Interior Ministry and the National Intelligence Agency to finalize the policy.
"We will have a meeting and agree on our best way to respond to it holistically," Ebienfa said. Officials stressed that Nigeria was informed of the US plan in advance.
The move comes as Nigeria faces pressure to protect its citizens from what it sees as restrictive foreign immigration rules.
Ebienfa's comments were reported in the online editions of two of Nigeria's biggest newspapers, Punch and Vanguard.
In July, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the country would not bow to increased pressure to accept deported Venezuelans from US President Donald Trump.
By Richard Connor, DW
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Video - Nigeria adopts new strategy to address inter-communal tensions
Nigeria is taking a new approach to ending deadly clashes between farmers and cattle herders. The government says the establishment of special cattle-breeding centers can not only ease tensions but also boost food security in a country perennially blighted by production issues.
Video - Chinese consulate screens war-era documentary in Lagos to mark 80th anniversary
Nigeria has marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Chinese Consulate in Lagos, in collaboration with the West Africa Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, screened a documentary film in Lagos. Titled 'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru', the film recounts the tragic incident as well as the heroics of Chinese fishermen, who risked everything to save lives.
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