100 Nigerian students rescued: No comment on negotiations or ransom

Nigerian authorities have successfully rescued 100 children who were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state last month, marking a significant achievement amidst ongoing security challenges in the region. The rescue operation highlights the government's commitment to addressing the alarming trend of school kidnappings.

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.

The Nigerian government announced the successful release of 100 students who were kidnapped from a Catholic school over two weeks ago. This development follows a series of abductions in the region, highlighting the ongoing crisis of school kidnappings in Nigeria.

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.