100 kidnapped children freed in Nigeria

The Nigerian government successfully rescued 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger state last month, marking a significant event in the ongoing crisis of mass kidnappings in the region. The students were returned to the state governor in Minna, highlighting the government's response to such incidents.

Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian Air Force of violating its airspace, following an incident where a Nigerian military aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing due to technical issues. Nigeria has denied these allegations, asserting that the landing was necessary and not a breach of airspace.

On December 7, 2025, an attempted coup in Benin was swiftly thwarted by government forces, resulting in casualties on both sides. The coup was announced on state television by a group of soldiers claiming to have dissolved President Patrice Talon's government. Following the incident, the military has been actively searching for fugitive soldiers involved in the coup attempt.

About 100 schoolchildren who were abducted in Nigeria have been released, although details surrounding their release remain unclear. Despite this development, 165 individuals are still unaccounted for, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in the region.

Benin's military is actively searching for soldiers who attempted a coup on December 7, 2025, which was quickly thwarted by government forces. The situation in Cotonou remained mostly calm as authorities arrested several individuals involved in the coup attempt, which included a declaration of power seizure on national television by the soldiers.

A coup attempt in Benin has led to the arrest of several soldiers and the deployment of Nigerian fighter jets to assist in restoring order. The situation escalated when a group of soldiers claimed on national television to have seized power, prompting a swift response from the government and military forces.

Nigerian authorities have successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from a Catholic school last month, according to local media and a UN source. However, approximately 165 students and staff remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about their safety and the effectiveness of ongoing rescue efforts.

A dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin following an attempted coup, as confirmed by military and security sources. This incident follows a declaration by a group of soldiers on national television claiming to have seized power, which has raised alarms about political stability in the country.