Nigeria grants asylum to Guinea-Bissau presidential candidate after coup

Nigerian General Christopher Musa has been appointed as the country's Minister of Defence, returning to government a month after losing his position as chief of defence staff amid concerns over a coup.

In Nigeria, approximately 50,000 volunteer vigilantes have emerged to protect rural communities amid a significant absence of security forces. These local brigades, exemplified by individuals like Makailu in Niger State, actively patrol and defend villages against increasing bandit attacks and ongoing security challenges.

Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission announced that it cannot certify the results of the recent elections due to armed men destroying most of the vote count. This turmoil follows a military takeover that occurred just before provisional results were to be released, resulting in the deposition of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was seeking re-election.

Anicet Ekane, a prominent opposition figure in Cameroon, has died in detention, with his family alleging that he was denied adequate medical care. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of political prisoners in the country.

Nigeria is experiencing a significant rise in kidnappings, with armed groups targeting schools across the northern region. Recently, over 300 schoolchildren were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State, marking one of the largest mass abductions in the country's history. This alarming trend has drawn comparisons to the infamous Chibok abductions by Boko Haram in 2014, raising concerns about the safety of children in educational institutions.

Armed men kidnapped 13 women, including a bride and her bridesmaids, during a night raid in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This incident is part of a troubling trend of abductions that have plagued the region, raising concerns about security and safety for residents.

A devastating fire in a Hong Kong apartment complex resulted in at least 148 fatalities, marking one of the city's deadliest incidents in recent history. The blaze, which spread rapidly due to external scaffolding, has left many individuals missing and raised concerns about building safety regulations.