'Nigeria needs structural reforms that will offer an alternative to organised criminal networks'

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced a military takeover, claiming to have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló during a state television broadcast. This event follows reports of gunfire near the presidential palace, marking a significant escalation in the country's ongoing political instability as it awaited the results of a contentious presidential election.

Armed groups attacked a Catholic school in Niger State, Nigeria, kidnapping over 300 students and teachers, marking one of the largest mass abductions in the country's history. Families had previously urged security forces for protection, but their calls went unheeded, leading to widespread fear and displacement in the community.

On November 25, 2025, all 24 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state, Nigeria, were rescued, following a series of alarming kidnappings in the region. This incident is part of a broader trend of escalating violence against educational institutions in Nigeria, where kidnappings have surged in recent weeks, prompting discussions about potential strikes by educators due to safety concerns.

South Africa has officially declared gender-based violence a national disaster, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting the alarming statistic of 15 women killed daily in the country. This declaration comes amidst widespread protests in major cities, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, demanding urgent action against this pervasive issue.

All 24 schoolgirls kidnapped from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state, Nigeria, have been rescued, as confirmed by President Bola Tinubu. The girls were abducted on November 17, with one escaping on the same day, while the remaining were saved later, although details of the rescue remain undisclosed.

Over 250 schoolchildren remain missing in Nigeria after being abducted from a Catholic boarding school, prompting criticism from a Catholic bishop regarding the government's failure to secure their release. The police have denied claims of inaction, suggesting that the school has not cooperated adequately in the search efforts.

Nollywood actor Odira Nwobu has passed away in South Africa at the age of 43, a development that has shocked many in Nigeria and led to an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike.

In Nigeria, a surge in mass kidnappings has led to the abduction of over 300 schoolchildren from a Catholic school in Niger State, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing security crisis. This resurgence follows threats from former US President Donald Trump regarding military intervention to address violence against Christians by radical Islamists.