Gunmen have killed at least 29 people in northeastern Nigeria, a state governor said Monday, with locals saying the attackers targeted young people gathered at a football pitch, the latest bout of deadly unrest in Africa's most populous nation.
The attack on Sunday occurred in Adamawa state, which borders Cameroon and is a hotspot for violence by jihadists and local criminal gangs. Communal violence over land is also rife in the state.
The latest attack comes as Nigeria's security crisis is increasingly under scrutiny – both abroad and at home as general elections are less than a year away.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited the scene of the Sunday attack and "confirmed that no fewer than 29 people were killed in a deadly attack on Guyaku community in Gombi Local Government Area", his spokesman said in a post on social media.
Locals also gave a similar toll.
Resident Philip Agabus told AFP that the attack occurred when "our people converged at a football pitch in Guyaku community ... [and] were attacked by insurgents who entered with guns and began shooting randomly".
The dead were "youths, including some ladies that were watching football", another local, Joshua Usman, said.
"They also burnt places of worship, houses and motorcycles," added Usman.
The state governor's office wrote that "the attackers operated for several hours, killing dozens of residents, burning places of worship, and destroying property including motorcycles", citing a local community leader, Aggrey Ali.
Local television showed footage of a burned church and several charred motor cycles.
The governor blamed the Boko Haram militants who are active in the northeast of Nigeria.
But a rival group, the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it "killed at least 25 ... Christians", and "torched a church and nearly 100 motorcycles", in a statement reported by the SITE monitoring group.
Fintiri condemned the attack, saying "it will not go unpunished" while he vowed "intensifying security operations immediately to restore peace".
Since 2009, the jihadist insurgency in Nigeria, led primarily by Boko Haram and its rival faction, the ISWAP, has left tens of thousands of people dead and millions displaced in the country's northeast, according to the United Nations.
The jihadist conflict has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Nigeria is now looking to the United States for technical and training support for its troops fighting the jihadists after a resurgence of violence strained relationships between the two countries.
US President Donald Trump said last October that Christianity was facing an "existential threat" in the West African nation. Security experts say that both Muslim and Christian communities are targeted by armed groups.
A separate attack occurred Sunday in a another district more 100 kilometres away which a local community blamed on communal clashes over farmland disputes in several villages in Lamurde area.
"Lives were lost, properties were also lost," Bulus Daniel, local government council chairman for Lamurde area told AFP.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Gunmen raid Nigerian orphanage and kidnap children
Eight children are still missing after gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria's north-central Kogi State and kidnapped 23, authorities have said.
Kogi's information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said 15 children were rescued due to the "prompt and coordinated response" of security agencies.
Sunday's attack also saw the owner of the facility taken, he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security sources say the state has a functional Boko Haram cell, and that there have been several violent attacks in the area.
Nigeria is also grappling with a kidnap crisis in many parts of the country, with criminal gangs abducting people for ransoms. The government has made paying ransoms illegal but this has not prevented the kidnappings.
"The government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all the victims," Fanwo said.
His statement on Monday also highlighted that the orphanage was "operating illegally" in a "bushy environment" without the knowledge of relevant authorities.
Fanwo urged operators of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions to always engage appropriately with the appropriate government agencies "especially in the current security climate".
Mass kidnappings in schools are not uncommon in Nigeria, especially in the country's northern region which is currently plagued by insecurity. This is the first time an orphanage has been targeted.
In November 2025, more than 300 students and their teachers were abducted from one Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, also in the north central region of Nigeria.
They were released in two batches with the last group regaining freedom more than one month after.
The government denied reports that any ransom had been paid, or that two Boko Haram commanders had been freed as part of the deal.
By Chukwunaeme Obiejesi, BBC
Kogi's information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said 15 children were rescued due to the "prompt and coordinated response" of security agencies.
Sunday's attack also saw the owner of the facility taken, he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security sources say the state has a functional Boko Haram cell, and that there have been several violent attacks in the area.
Nigeria is also grappling with a kidnap crisis in many parts of the country, with criminal gangs abducting people for ransoms. The government has made paying ransoms illegal but this has not prevented the kidnappings.
"The government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all the victims," Fanwo said.
His statement on Monday also highlighted that the orphanage was "operating illegally" in a "bushy environment" without the knowledge of relevant authorities.
Fanwo urged operators of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions to always engage appropriately with the appropriate government agencies "especially in the current security climate".
Mass kidnappings in schools are not uncommon in Nigeria, especially in the country's northern region which is currently plagued by insecurity. This is the first time an orphanage has been targeted.
In November 2025, more than 300 students and their teachers were abducted from one Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, also in the north central region of Nigeria.
They were released in two batches with the last group regaining freedom more than one month after.
The government denied reports that any ransom had been paid, or that two Boko Haram commanders had been freed as part of the deal.
Monday, April 27, 2026
Jet fuel crisis: a boon for Nigeria's Dangote, but not for local airlines
Nigeria's giant Dangote refinery is benefiting from record margins for producing jet fuel that it is mostly selling abroad, while the domestic airlines it also supplies have threatened to stop flying because of the surge in fuel prices.
The refinery, the largest on the continent, was built to turn Africa's biggest oil producing country into a net exporter of refined products, end Nigeria's reliance on fuel imports, and shield its economy from global energy shocks.
It became fully operational at the start of this year and is producing at its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
That has improved local fuel availability but domestic fuel prices are still among the highest in Africa as Nigeria's market is fully deregulated, meaning fuel prices are not subsidised by the government as they are in most African countries.
The issue is further complicated by the state oil company's long-standing debt repayment agreements that mean Dangote has to import most of its crude oil, making it easier to balance its books if it sells abroad.
CLASH WITH THE NEEDS OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
Industry body the Airline Operators of Nigeria said prices, taking logistics and storage costs into account, have climbed to 3,300 naira ($2.44) per litre, nearly triple the level in February before the start of the Iran war.
Nigeria's energy regulator said Dangote was selling jet fuel at 1,879 naira ($1.39) per litre, little changed from imported fuel prices of about 1,900 naira ($1.41) per litre delivered to Lagos earlier this month.
The Middle Eastern conflict has led to unprecedented energy disruption and the risk of jet fuel shortages is pressing. Airlines around the world have hiked prices, added fuel surcharges and grounded planes.
Nigerian airlines last week threatened to halt all flights, prompting the government on Thursday to approve measures including some relief on debts owed by local airlines and ordering talks to try to agree lower prices.
DANGOTE'S MARGINS COULD BE EVEN BETTER?
Dangote, meanwhile, as a new, highly efficient refinery, has been able to take advantage of record margins for producing jet fuel from crude.
Its profits could be even higher if it could rely on Nigerian crude and avoid almost all freight costs.
State oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s joint‑venture crude, however, is tied to oil-backed loans and pre‑export deals.
That means much of Nigeria's roughly 1.5 million barrels per day of production goes to paying debts to international oil majors, banks and traders. The NNPC does not disclose its obligations, but analysts estimate they amount to about 400,000 bpd.
Alan Gelder, senior vice president for refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie, said European refiners had earned about $15 per barrel.
He estimated Dangote's margins at more than double that as a result of access to Nigerian crude and the plant's scale and sophistication. Edwin did not disclose figures, but the profits from producing jet fuel hit a record on international markets in March.
Dangote, as a private refinery, prices its products in response to global markets, Gelder said, and that building a big refinery "does not automatically mean fuel prices fall".
Dangote plans to list shares in the coming months and is expanding the complex to 1.4 million bpd capacity, which could make it the world's largest refinery by the end of the decade.
By Macdonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
The refinery, the largest on the continent, was built to turn Africa's biggest oil producing country into a net exporter of refined products, end Nigeria's reliance on fuel imports, and shield its economy from global energy shocks.
It became fully operational at the start of this year and is producing at its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
That has improved local fuel availability but domestic fuel prices are still among the highest in Africa as Nigeria's market is fully deregulated, meaning fuel prices are not subsidised by the government as they are in most African countries.
The issue is further complicated by the state oil company's long-standing debt repayment agreements that mean Dangote has to import most of its crude oil, making it easier to balance its books if it sells abroad.
CLASH WITH THE NEEDS OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
Industry body the Airline Operators of Nigeria said prices, taking logistics and storage costs into account, have climbed to 3,300 naira ($2.44) per litre, nearly triple the level in February before the start of the Iran war.
Nigeria's energy regulator said Dangote was selling jet fuel at 1,879 naira ($1.39) per litre, little changed from imported fuel prices of about 1,900 naira ($1.41) per litre delivered to Lagos earlier this month.
The Middle Eastern conflict has led to unprecedented energy disruption and the risk of jet fuel shortages is pressing. Airlines around the world have hiked prices, added fuel surcharges and grounded planes.
Nigerian airlines last week threatened to halt all flights, prompting the government on Thursday to approve measures including some relief on debts owed by local airlines and ordering talks to try to agree lower prices.
DANGOTE'S MARGINS COULD BE EVEN BETTER?
Dangote, meanwhile, as a new, highly efficient refinery, has been able to take advantage of record margins for producing jet fuel from crude.
Its profits could be even higher if it could rely on Nigerian crude and avoid almost all freight costs.
State oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s joint‑venture crude, however, is tied to oil-backed loans and pre‑export deals.
That means much of Nigeria's roughly 1.5 million barrels per day of production goes to paying debts to international oil majors, banks and traders. The NNPC does not disclose its obligations, but analysts estimate they amount to about 400,000 bpd.
Dangote Group Vice President Davekumar Edwin said Dangote imported most of its crude from the U.S., as well as some from other African producers and Brazil. He did not give precise figures.
He said the bulk of the 24 million litres of jet fuel it produces daily was shipped to Europe, although he also said the refinery largely supplied the needs of Nigerian airlines, which the aviation industry estimates at about 2.1 million litres per day.
EUROPEAN BUYERS ARE WILLING TO PAY UP
EUROPEAN BUYERS ARE WILLING TO PAY UP
As European buyers are willing to pay a premium ahead of the peak demand summer travel season, European imports from Nigeria have averaged 78,000 to 96,000 barrels per day in April so far, data from Kpler and LSEG showed, the highest on record.
Alan Gelder, senior vice president for refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie, said European refiners had earned about $15 per barrel.
He estimated Dangote's margins at more than double that as a result of access to Nigerian crude and the plant's scale and sophistication. Edwin did not disclose figures, but the profits from producing jet fuel hit a record on international markets in March.
Dangote, as a private refinery, prices its products in response to global markets, Gelder said, and that building a big refinery "does not automatically mean fuel prices fall".
Dangote plans to list shares in the coming months and is expanding the complex to 1.4 million bpd capacity, which could make it the world's largest refinery by the end of the decade.
Dangote plans world’s largest refinery expansion, targeting 95,000 jobs
Africa’s largest industrial project is set to scale further, with Aliko Dangote announcing plans to expand the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day, a move expected to create up to 95,000 skilled jobs at peak construction.
Dangote made the disclosure in Lagos during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, framing the expansion as a significant step in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
“This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises what we are doing in the industry,” he said, adding that the project would employ “about 95,000 skilled workers on site” at its peak.
Once completed, the upgraded facility is projected to surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery to become the world’s largest refinery by capacity. The development is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capability, reduce reliance on imported fuel, and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Dangote said the expansion would rely heavily on local expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, and artisans, while also driving technology transfer and supporting the broader oil and gas value chain.
“The scale of this expansion reflects our confidence in Nigerian capacity and our belief that Africa can build world-class infrastructure,” he said.
Call for deeper Dangote investments
Industry observers note that the refinery has already been positioned as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products, with potential spillover effects across manufacturing and logistics.
In a separate development, Abdullahi Sule called on the Dangote Group to deepen its investments in Nasarawa State, citing its untapped mineral resources.
Speaking at the Nasarawa Trade Fair, Governor Sule, represented by a state official, said existing collaboration with the conglomerate could be expanded to support industrial growth.
He also referenced the group’s long-term investment ambitions, including a $100 billion target under its Vision 2030 strategy, suggesting such commitments could bolster small businesses and stimulate broader economic activity.
While the refinery expansion signals growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s industrial base, analysts say its long-term impact will depend on regulatory stability, infrastructure support, and global oil market dynamics.
Industry observers note that the refinery has already been positioned as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products, with potential spillover effects across manufacturing and logistics.
In a separate development, Abdullahi Sule called on the Dangote Group to deepen its investments in Nasarawa State, citing its untapped mineral resources.
Speaking at the Nasarawa Trade Fair, Governor Sule, represented by a state official, said existing collaboration with the conglomerate could be expanded to support industrial growth.
He also referenced the group’s long-term investment ambitions, including a $100 billion target under its Vision 2030 strategy, suggesting such commitments could bolster small businesses and stimulate broader economic activity.
While the refinery expansion signals growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s industrial base, analysts say its long-term impact will depend on regulatory stability, infrastructure support, and global oil market dynamics.
By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa
Nigeria stocks hit fresh record as $107 billion market extends one of world’s top rallies
Nigeria’s stock market closed at another record on Friday, extending one of the world’s strongest equity rallies this year as gains in banking and industrial shares lifted the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s total value to N145.3 trillion ($107.2 billion).
The benchmark NGX All-Share Index rose 1.3% to 225,724.33 points, taking gains to 3.94% over the past week, 12.34% over the past month, and 45.05% year-to-date.
A total of 627.4 million shares worth N44.39 billion ($32.7 million) were traded in 55,081 deals. Compared with the previous session, turnover rose 17%, while trading volume fell 6%.
Nigeria has become one of the standout frontier markets of 2026, helped by stronger corporate earnings, bank recapitalisations, domestic pension-fund demand and investor bets that economic reforms will improve long-term growth.
Banking shares dominated volumes, with Access Holdings, United Bank for Africa, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank among the most actively traded stocks.
Investors are now watching whether the market can cross the N150 trillion ($110.6 billion) milestone in coming sessions.
The benchmark NGX All-Share Index rose 1.3% to 225,724.33 points, taking gains to 3.94% over the past week, 12.34% over the past month, and 45.05% year-to-date.
A total of 627.4 million shares worth N44.39 billion ($32.7 million) were traded in 55,081 deals. Compared with the previous session, turnover rose 17%, while trading volume fell 6%.
Nigeria has become one of the standout frontier markets of 2026, helped by stronger corporate earnings, bank recapitalisations, domestic pension-fund demand and investor bets that economic reforms will improve long-term growth.
Banking shares dominated volumes, with Access Holdings, United Bank for Africa, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank among the most actively traded stocks.
Investors are now watching whether the market can cross the N150 trillion ($110.6 billion) milestone in coming sessions.
By Ayodeji Adegboyega, Business Insider Africa
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