In an attempt to recapture the 266 inmates, who escaped a Nigerian prison on Sunday, the prison service said on Tuesday that it has nabbed a total of 114 inmates. &nbsp;

Blowing up the perimeter fence and freeing almost everyone, heavily armed gunmen had raided the medium-security jail at Kabba in south-central Nigeria late on Sunday. In the incident, a soldier and a police officer were also killed, said authorities. &nbsp;

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In what was the second major jailbreak in Nigeria this year, the attackers fought a gun battle with guards. &nbsp;

A spokesman said, “Following the attack … and the swift intervention of the controller general of corrections … a total of 114 escapees have been recaptured.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

For some years, Nigeria has been suffering several security issues across its vast territory, which include an Islamic insurgency in the northeast, a spate of mass abductions from schools in the northwest and armed robberies by criminal gangs.

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At Kabba, 28 out of the 294 inmates did not escape, the interior ministry said. It meant 266 had got away. The prison service had earlier put the number of fugitives at 240. &nbsp;

Extra armed guards have been deployed to beef up security at the prison, and urged the remaining escapees to turn in themselves within the next 24 hours, said the spokesman. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In an attempt to recapture the 266 inmates, who escaped a Nigerian prison on Sunday, the prison service said on Tuesday that it has nabbed a total of 114 inmates.

In an attempt to recapture the 266 inmates, who escaped a Nigerian prison on Sunday, the prison service said on Tuesday that it has nabbed a total of 114 inmates. Blowing up the perimeter fence and freeing almost everyone, heavily armed gunmen had raided the medium-security jail at Kabba in south-central Nigeria late on Sunday. In the incident, a soldier and a police officer were also killed, said authorities. Watch | Report: Russia's wanger group could send troops to Mali × In what was the second major jailbreak in Nigeria this year, the attackers fought a gun battle with guards. A spokesman said, “Following the attack … and the swift intervention of the controller general of corrections … a total of 114 escapees have been recaptured.” For some years, Nigeria has been suffering several security issues across its vast territory, which include an Islamic insurgency in the northeast, a spate of mass abductions from schools in the northwest and armed robberies by criminal gangs. Also Read: Ethiopian villagers flee amid stench of dead bodies At Kabba, 28 out of the 294 inmates did not escape, the interior ministry said. It meant 266 had got away. The prison service had earlier put the number of fugitives at 240. Extra armed guards have been deployed to beef up security at the prison, and urged the remaining escapees to turn in themselves within the next 24 hours, said the spokesman. (With inputs from agencies)

114 of 266 inmates recaptured by Nigerian forces after mass jailbreak  

Gunmen&nbsp;have killed&nbsp;12&nbsp;Nigerian&nbsp;security&nbsp;forces members in a weekend&nbsp;attack&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;military&nbsp;base&nbsp;in&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;Zamfara state, before stealing weapons and torching buildings, two&nbsp;security&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said Monday.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the Saturday raid in Mutumji, but the army is engaged in operations in Zamfara against armed criminal gangs known as bandits who are blamed for a series of mass abductions.

Telecommunications have also been cut in Zamfara and in parts of neighbouring state Katsina in an attempt to disrupt bandit communications about army movements during the crackdown.

"The attackers stormed the&nbsp;base&nbsp;around 10:30 am and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle," one&nbsp;security&nbsp;source said.

"They subdued the troops and killed&nbsp;12&nbsp;of them. They included nine navy, a soldier and two policemen."&nbsp;

A second&nbsp;security&nbsp;source confirmed the casualties.

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The&nbsp;base&nbsp;in Mutumji, Dansadau district, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the state capital Gusau, is a key site for logistics and reconnaissance in the army's fight against bandits in the area.

Jihadists in&nbsp;Nigeria's northeast frequently&nbsp;attack&nbsp;military&nbsp;bases in Borno State, the heart of a&nbsp;12-year insurgency that has killed 40,000 people.

But large, heavily armed criminal gangs who raid villages and kidnap for ransom in the&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;and central states have also become more brazen.

In July, bandit&nbsp;gunmen&nbsp;shot down an air force jet over Zamfara while it was returning from operations. The pilot safely ejected and managed to escape capture.

Gunmen&nbsp;also attacked the country's elite defence academy in&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;Kaduna State last month, killing two officers and kidnapping another in a raid in one of the symbols of the armed forces. &nbsp;

Gunmen have killed 12 Nigerian security forces members in a weekend attack on a military base in northwest Zamfara state, before stealing weapons and torching buildings, two security sources said Monday.

Gunmen have killed 12 Nigerian security forces members in a weekend attack on a military base in northwest Zamfara state, before stealing weapons and torching buildings, two security sources said Monday. It was not immediately clear who carried out the Saturday raid in Mutumji, but the army is engaged in operations in Zamfara against armed criminal gangs known as bandits who are blamed for a series of mass abductions. Telecommunications have also been cut in Zamfara and in parts of neighbouring state Katsina in an attempt to disrupt bandit communications about army movements during the crackdown. "The attackers stormed the base around 10:30 am and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle," one security source said. "They subdued the troops and killed 12 of them. They included nine navy, a soldier and two policemen." A second security source confirmed the casualties. Also read | Israel conducts airstrikes in Gaza; targets militant sites The base in Mutumji, Dansadau district, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the state capital Gusau, is a key site for logistics and reconnaissance in the army's fight against bandits in the area. Jihadists in Nigeria's northeast frequently attack military bases in Borno State, the heart of a 12-year insurgency that has killed 40,000 people. But large, heavily armed criminal gangs who raid villages and kidnap for ransom in the northwest and central states have also become more brazen. In July, bandit gunmen shot down an air force jet over Zamfara while it was returning from operations. The pilot safely ejected and managed to escape capture. Gunmen also attacked the country's elite defence academy in northwest Kaduna State last month, killing two officers and kidnapping another in a raid in one of the symbols of the armed forces.

Gunmen kill 12 in attack on Nigeria military base in northwest: Security sources

Nigerian gunmen have freed the remaining pupils from more than 100 kidnapped from an Islamic seminary in northwestern Niger State nearly three months ago, the school's head teacher said on Thursday.

Heavily armed criminals snatched 136 pupils from the seminary in Tegina on May 30 in one of a series of mass abductions targeting schools and colleges in&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;since December.

Six of the pupils died in captivity and a further 15 escaped in June, according to school officials.

"The pupils have all been released. We are now conveying them home," seminary head Abubakar Alhassan told AFP by telephone.

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"I can't give you an exact number now. We will have to screen them when we get home. But none of the pupils is in captivity."

He did not give any details about how the pupils were released or say if a ransom was paid.&nbsp;

One of the parents, Fati Abdullahi, whose 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son were among the captives, confirmed the pupils were free.&nbsp;

"We have been in touch with those bringing them home on the phone. We have been tracking their journey home," Abdullahi said. "We are anxious to see them."

Growing violence

Northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;have seen a surge in attacks, looting and mass abductions by criminal gangs known locally as bandits. But gangs this year began targeting schoolchildren and students as a way to squeeze out more ransom payments.

Around 1,000 students have been kidnapped since December after gangs started to hit schools. Most have been released after negotiations, but scores are still being held in forest camps.

Gunmen who kidnapped more than 100 students from a Baptist high school in northwestern Kaduna State released 15 more of those hostages after collecting ransom, a representative of the families said on Sunday.

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During the Tegina seminary kidnapping in May, around 200 motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the town in Niger State's Rafi district, transporting the pupils to their rural hideout.

In August, an envoy sent to deliver a ransom payment was himself held captive for a week by the bandits before he was released with a demand for more money.

Just last week, the kidnappers had called the school to send more clothes for the children who had been wearing the same tattered clothing for months.

Violence in northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;has its roots in years-long tensions and tit-for-tat armed raids between farmers and nomadic herders over grazing land and water resources.

But insecurity has worsened as criminal gangs emerged involved in cattle rustling, looting villages and mass kidnapping. Most of them are based in vast forests across Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered military operations and air strikes on bandit camps but attacks have not stopped. Some local governors have attempted amnesty deals with the bandits but most have failed.&nbsp;

Nigerian gunmen have freed the remaining pupils from more than 100 kidnapped from an Islamic seminary in northwestern Niger State nearly three months ago, the school's head teacher said on Thursday.

Nigerian gunmen have freed the remaining pupils from more than 100 kidnapped from an Islamic seminary in northwestern Niger State nearly three months ago, the school's head teacher said on Thursday. Heavily armed criminals snatched 136 pupils from the seminary in Tegina on May 30 in one of a series of mass abductions targeting schools and colleges in Nigeria since December. Six of the pupils died in captivity and a further 15 escaped in June, according to school officials. "The pupils have all been released. We are now conveying them home," seminary head Abubakar Alhassan told AFP by telephone. ALSO READ | 'Will hunt you down': Joe Biden warns Kabul bombers, vows to avenge deaths of US soldiers "I can't give you an exact number now. We will have to screen them when we get home. But none of the pupils is in captivity." He did not give any details about how the pupils were released or say if a ransom was paid. One of the parents, Fati Abdullahi, whose 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son were among the captives, confirmed the pupils were free. "We have been in touch with those bringing them home on the phone. We have been tracking their journey home," Abdullahi said. "We are anxious to see them." Growing violence Northwest and central Nigeria have seen a surge in attacks, looting and mass abductions by criminal gangs known locally as bandits. But gangs this year began targeting schoolchildren and students as a way to squeeze out more ransom payments. Around 1,000 students have been kidnapped since December after gangs started to hit schools. Most have been released after negotiations, but scores are still being held in forest camps. Gunmen who kidnapped more than 100 students from a Baptist high school in northwestern Kaduna State released 15 more of those hostages after collecting ransom, a representative of the families said on Sunday. ALSO READ | Pakistan is second home to the Taliban, says spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid During the Tegina seminary kidnapping in May, around 200 motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the town in Niger State's Rafi district, transporting the pupils to their rural hideout. In August, an envoy sent to deliver a ransom payment was himself held captive for a week by the bandits before he was released with a demand for more money. Just last week, the kidnappers had called the school to send more clothes for the children who had been wearing the same tattered clothing for months. Violence in northwest and central Nigeria has its roots in years-long tensions and tit-for-tat armed raids between farmers and nomadic herders over grazing land and water resources. But insecurity has worsened as criminal gangs emerged involved in cattle rustling, looting villages and mass kidnapping. Most of them are based in vast forests across Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states. President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered military operations and air strikes on bandit camps but attacks have not stopped. Some local governors have attempted amnesty deals with the bandits but most have failed.

Nigerian gunmen free dozens of kidnapped seminary pupils, says teacher

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them.

He sent his 3 million naira ($7,300) into the bush, together with payments from other families in his town of Tegina. The kidnappers took the money, seized one of the men delivering it and sent back a new demand for more cash and six motorbikes.

"We are in agony," the 40-year-old tyre repairman told Reuters, still waiting for any sign of what happened to his children three months after the mass abduction. "Honestly I don`t have anything left."

Kidnappers have taken more than 1,000 students since December amid a rash of abductions across the impoverished northwest. Around 300 of the children have still not been returned, according to a Reuters tally of reports.

President Muhammadu Buhari has told states not to pay anything to kidnappers, saying it will only encourage more abductions. Security agencies say they are targeting the bandits with military action and other methods.

Meanwhile, hundreds of parents are facing the same quandary: do everything they can to raise the ransoms themselves, or risk never seeing their children again. 
"We are begging the government to help," said Aminu Salisu, whose eight-year-old son was taken in the same daylight raid on Tegina`s Salihu Tanko Islamic school in May, alongside more than 130 students.

Salisu cleared out his own savings and sold everything in his shop to raise his contribution. The owner of the school sold off half the grounds. Together, with the help of friends, relatives and strangers, the people of Tegina said they raised 30 million naira.

But that still wasn`t enough for the bandits.

Kidnappers collected more than $18 million in ransom from June 2011 to March 2020 in Nigeria, according to an estimate by Lagos-based analysts SBM Intelligence.

That flood of cash brought a flood of new kidnappers, said Bulama Bukarti, an analyst in the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He estimated there were currently around 30,000 bandits operating in the northwest.

"It`s the most thriving, the most lucrative industry in Nigeria," he told Reuters. Kidnapping has become a tempting career choice for young men at a time of economic slump, double-digit inflation and 33% unemployment.

"From December, we saw the Pandora`s box open. They saw it was possible. They saw that nothing happened to the attackers," Bukarti said.

In December, gunmen kidnapped 344 boys from the Government Science Secondary School in the northwestern state of Katsina during a night-time raid. The kidnappers released the boys a week later, but it set off a spate of similar kidnappings across the region.

The bandits took a page from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which seized more than 200 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014. That group had ideological aims and forced some of the girls to marry fighters.

The armed kidnappers in the northwest are motivated by money, experts say.

"A LIFE-AND-DEATH MATTER"

The abductions have piled more pressure on President Buhari, who promised to tackle insecurity at his inauguration in 2019.

They have also tested the security services. The military - pitted against the kidnappers in the northwest, Islamist insurgents in the northeast, separatists in the southeast and piracy in the

Delta - is deployed to at least 30 of Nigeria`s 36 states.

Information Minister Lai Mohammed, in an interview with Reuters, defended the strategy not to pay ransoms.

Instead, he said, the government had destroyed multiple bandit camps and tried other approaches to tackle banditry.

He declined to give details, citing the need for secrecy around ongoing operations, but said all levels of government are working to free the children.

"We are winning the war against insurgency and we are winning the war against banditry," Mohammed said.

The government of Niger state, which includes Tegina, declined to comment. Officials working with the governor said they needed to keep their efforts secret.

Meanwhile, the challenges keep mounting.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), an NGO, tracked a 28% increase in violence nationwide in Nigeria in the first six months of 2021, compared with the previous six months.

Reported fatalities from violence nationwide rose 61% to 5,197, it said.

It all explains, Bukarti of the Extremism Policy Unit said, why Adam and other parents are willing to sell everything they have to pay ransoms themselves.

"They cannot afford (it) by any means. But it`s a life-and-death matter. And they know security agencies cannot free their loved ones."

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them.

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them. He sent his 3 million naira ($7,300) into the bush, together with payments from other families in his town of Tegina. The kidnappers took the money, seized one of the men delivering it and sent back a new demand for more cash and six motorbikes. "We are in agony," the 40-year-old tyre repairman told Reuters, still waiting for any sign of what happened to his children three months after the mass abduction. "Honestly I don`t have anything left." Kidnappers have taken more than 1,000 students since December amid a rash of abductions across the impoverished northwest. Around 300 of the children have still not been returned, according to a Reuters tally of reports. President Muhammadu Buhari has told states not to pay anything to kidnappers, saying it will only encourage more abductions. Security agencies say they are targeting the bandits with military action and other methods. Meanwhile, hundreds of parents are facing the same quandary: do everything they can to raise the ransoms themselves, or risk never seeing their children again. "We are begging the government to help," said Aminu Salisu, whose eight-year-old son was taken in the same daylight raid on Tegina`s Salihu Tanko Islamic school in May, alongside more than 130 students. Salisu cleared out his own savings and sold everything in his shop to raise his contribution. The owner of the school sold off half the grounds. Together, with the help of friends, relatives and strangers, the people of Tegina said they raised 30 million naira. But that still wasn`t enough for the bandits. Kidnappers collected more than $18 million in ransom from June 2011 to March 2020 in Nigeria, according to an estimate by Lagos-based analysts SBM Intelligence. That flood of cash brought a flood of new kidnappers, said Bulama Bukarti, an analyst in the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He estimated there were currently around 30,000 bandits operating in the northwest. "It`s the most thriving, the most lucrative industry in Nigeria," he told Reuters. Kidnapping has become a tempting career choice for young men at a time of economic slump, double-digit inflation and 33% unemployment. "From December, we saw the Pandora`s box open. They saw it was possible. They saw that nothing happened to the attackers," Bukarti said. In December, gunmen kidnapped 344 boys from the Government Science Secondary School in the northwestern state of Katsina during a night-time raid. The kidnappers released the boys a week later, but it set off a spate of similar kidnappings across the region. The bandits took a page from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which seized more than 200 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014. That group had ideological aims and forced some of the girls to marry fighters. The armed kidnappers in the northwest are motivated by money, experts say. "A LIFE-AND-DEATH MATTER" The abductions have piled more pressure on President Buhari, who promised to tackle insecurity at his inauguration in 2019. They have also tested the security services. The military - pitted against the kidnappers in the northwest, Islamist insurgents in the northeast, separatists in the southeast and piracy in the Delta - is deployed to at least 30 of Nigeria`s 36 states. Information Minister Lai Mohammed, in an interview with Reuters, defended the strategy not to pay ransoms. Instead, he said, the government had destroyed multiple bandit camps and tried other approaches to tackle banditry. He declined to give details, citing the need for secrecy around ongoing operations, but said all levels of government are working to free the children. "We are winning the war against insurgency and we are winning the war against banditry," Mohammed said. The government of Niger state, which includes Tegina, declined to comment. Officials working with the governor said they needed to keep their efforts secret. Meanwhile, the challenges keep mounting. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), an NGO, tracked a 28% increase in violence nationwide in Nigeria in the first six months of 2021, compared with the previous six months. Reported fatalities from violence nationwide rose 61% to 5,197, it said. It all explains, Bukarti of the Extremism Policy Unit said, why Adam and other parents are willing to sell everything they have to pay ransoms themselves. "They cannot afford (it) by any means. But it`s a life-and-death matter. And they know security agencies cannot free their loved ones."

Desperate Nigerians sell homes and land to free kidnapped children

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them, officials said on Sunday. The 15 students are among the 100 students who were kidnapped on July 5 from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna.

Bandits release 15 high school students after their parents agree to pay ransom to free them

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them. The 15 students are among the 100 students who were kidnapped on July 5 from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna.

Nigeria: Gunmen free 15 abducted high school students after parents pay ransom

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them, officials said on Sunday.

The 15 students are among the 100 students who were kidnapped on July 5 from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna.

Kaduna state`s commissioner for internal security, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the release but declined to comment on the ransom payment.

“The students are already being released and would be handed over to their parents any moment from now,” School administrator Reverend John Hayab told Reuters.

Earlier, Hayab said the abductors were seeking 1 million naira (Rs 1.8 lakh approx) per student.

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In July, the kidnappers released 28 children from the school following the release of the first group of 28, two days after the raid. Around 80 had remained in captivity before Sunday’s release.

Since December, armed bandits have abducted more than 1,000 students from schools in northwest Nigeria seeking ransom. Due to high levels of threat, Kaduna state schools remain closed, reports Reuters.

President Muhammadu Buhari in February called on state governments to stop paying bandits. But desperate parents and communities often raise and pay ransoms themselves.

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them, officials said on Sunday.

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them, officials said on Sunday. The 15 students are among the 100 students who were kidnapped on July 5 from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna. Kaduna state`s commissioner for internal security, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the release but declined to comment on the ransom payment. “The students are already being released and would be handed over to their parents any moment from now,” School administrator Reverend John Hayab told Reuters. Earlier, Hayab said the abductors were seeking 1 million naira (Rs 1.8 lakh approx) per student. Also read | Nigeria bans Twitter 'indefinitely' after Muhammadu Buhari's account suspension In July, the kidnappers released 28 children from the school following the release of the first group of 28, two days after the raid. Around 80 had remained in captivity before Sunday’s release. Since December, armed bandits have abducted more than 1,000 students from schools in northwest Nigeria seeking ransom. Due to high levels of threat, Kaduna state schools remain closed, reports Reuters. President Muhammadu Buhari in February called on state governments to stop paying bandits. But desperate parents and communities often raise and pay ransoms themselves.

Bandits release 15 high school students after parents pay ransom in northwest Nigeria

Nigerian authorities on Sunday imposed a&nbsp;curfew&nbsp;in parts of central Plateau state, a day&nbsp;after&nbsp;a suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy of 90 Muslims, killing at least 23.

Northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;have for years struggled with violence between mainly Muslim nomadic herders and Christian farmers over control of resources, water and land.

Condemning the&nbsp;attack, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that this was "not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation, but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated&nbsp;attack."

On Saturday, "a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful," said police spokesman Ubah Ogaba.&nbsp;

Police had initially said 22 of the 90 travellers were killed, but the death toll was revised upwards on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Twenty-three of those attacked lost their lives and 23 persons sustained injuries," state governor Simon Lalong said in a statement.

Concerned about "persisting tensions and reported attempts by some persons to take the laws into their hands," the governor "directed the imposition of a&nbsp;curfew&nbsp;on Jos North, Bassa and Jos South," between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am.&nbsp;

Police said 20 suspects have been arrested while 33 victims have been rescued.

One of the members of the convoy who escaped, Muhammad Ibrahim, said the assault happened along Rukuba road, on the outskirts of Jos, the capital of Plateau state.

The Muslims were returning from Bauchi State, he said,&nbsp;after&nbsp;attending an event to celebrate the Islamic New Year.

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"Iregwe militias attacked and used machetes, knives and stones to kill them," said Malam Nura Abdullahi, representative of a local group representing herders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of&nbsp;Nigeria.

He said the death toll was higher.&nbsp;

"We have prepared up to 25 dead bodies that are ready for burial," said Abdullahi.&nbsp;

For years, Jos was a flashpoint for ethnic strife pitting Christian and Muslim youths against each other.&nbsp;

In September 2001, Christian-Muslim clashes around Jos left 913 people dead, according to Human Rights Watch.&nbsp;

While the governor said the&nbsp;attack&nbsp;on Saturday "should not be given any ethnic or religious colouration," the presidency described it as a "pre-arranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers, not an opportunist ambush."

"These kinds of attacks on our country's citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation," the presidency added.&nbsp;

Violence in central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;is just one of the challenges facing Africa's most populous country.

Security forces are also battling a 12-year jihadist insurgency in the northeast, kidnap gangs in the northwest and separatist agitation in the southeast.

Nigerian authorities on Sunday imposed a curfew in parts of central Plateau state, a day after a suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy of 90 Muslims, killing at least 23.

Nigerian authorities on Sunday imposed a curfew in parts of central Plateau state, a day after a suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy of 90 Muslims, killing at least 23. Northwest and central Nigeria have for years struggled with violence between mainly Muslim nomadic herders and Christian farmers over control of resources, water and land. Condemning the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that this was "not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation, but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack." On Saturday, "a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful," said police spokesman Ubah Ogaba. Police had initially said 22 of the 90 travellers were killed, but the death toll was revised upwards on Sunday. "Twenty-three of those attacked lost their lives and 23 persons sustained injuries," state governor Simon Lalong said in a statement. Concerned about "persisting tensions and reported attempts by some persons to take the laws into their hands," the governor "directed the imposition of a curfew on Jos North, Bassa and Jos South," between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Police said 20 suspects have been arrested while 33 victims have been rescued. One of the members of the convoy who escaped, Muhammad Ibrahim, said the assault happened along Rukuba road, on the outskirts of Jos, the capital of Plateau state. The Muslims were returning from Bauchi State, he said, after attending an event to celebrate the Islamic New Year. Also read | US lawmaker asks Biden to change course as Taliban reach near Kabul "Iregwe militias attacked and used machetes, knives and stones to kill them," said Malam Nura Abdullahi, representative of a local group representing herders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria. He said the death toll was higher. "We have prepared up to 25 dead bodies that are ready for burial," said Abdullahi. For years, Jos was a flashpoint for ethnic strife pitting Christian and Muslim youths against each other. In September 2001, Christian-Muslim clashes around Jos left 913 people dead, according to Human Rights Watch. While the governor said the attack on Saturday "should not be given any ethnic or religious colouration," the presidency described it as a "pre-arranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers, not an opportunist ambush." "These kinds of attacks on our country's citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation," the presidency added. Violence in central Nigeria is just one of the challenges facing Africa's most populous country. Security forces are also battling a 12-year jihadist insurgency in the northeast, kidnap gangs in the northwest and separatist agitation in the southeast.

Nigeria imposes partial curfew after deadly attack

A suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy carrying 90 Muslim faithful on Saturday in Nigeria's central Plateau state, leaving at least 22 people dead, police said.

Northwest and central Nigeria have for years struggled with tensions between mainly Muslim nomadic herders and Christian farmers who tussle over control of resources, water and land.

"At about 0928hrs (08:28 GMT) the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths (predominantly Christian)... attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful."

"Twenty-two persons were killed and 14 injured in the attack," police spokesman Ubah Ogaba said in a statement, adding that 21 people had been rescued.

A local government representative said the toll was higher.

"Twenty-five people are now confirmed killed," said the state government representative Danladi Atu who visited a hospital where injured people were taken to.

A local group representing herders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, said it also counted 25 bodies.&nbsp;

"We have prepared up to 25 dead bodies that are ready for burial," said the group's local representative Malam Nura Abdullahi.

Plateau state governor Simon Lalong condemned the attack.

He said "security has been beefed up around the area," according to a statement from his spokesman Makut Simon Macham.

Police said six suspects had been arrested and that calm had been restored to the area.&nbsp;

A suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy carrying 90 Muslim faithful on Saturday in Nigeria's central Plateau state, leaving at least 22 people dead, police said.

A suspected Christian militia attacked a convoy carrying 90 Muslim faithful on Saturday in Nigeria's central Plateau state, leaving at least 22 people dead, police said. Northwest and central Nigeria have for years struggled with tensions between mainly Muslim nomadic herders and Christian farmers who tussle over control of resources, water and land. "At about 0928hrs (08:28 GMT) the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths (predominantly Christian)... attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful." "Twenty-two persons were killed and 14 injured in the attack," police spokesman Ubah Ogaba said in a statement, adding that 21 people had been rescued. A local government representative said the toll was higher. "Twenty-five people are now confirmed killed," said the state government representative Danladi Atu who visited a hospital where injured people were taken to. A local group representing herders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, said it also counted 25 bodies. "We have prepared up to 25 dead bodies that are ready for burial," said the group's local representative Malam Nura Abdullahi. Plateau state governor Simon Lalong condemned the attack. He said "security has been beefed up around the area," according to a statement from his spokesman Makut Simon Macham. Police said six suspects had been arrested and that calm had been restored to the area.

At least 22 killed in central Nigeria attack: Police

Separatists&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;on Saturday announced a suspension of a weekly&nbsp;protest&nbsp;over the arrest of their leader, a spokesman for the group said in a statement.

The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which wants a separate state for the ethnic Igbo people in the southeast of the country, had recently called on businesses in the oil-rich region to close every Monday.

The "sit-at-home" order from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm was to&nbsp;protest&nbsp;the arrest of their leader Nnamdi Kanu who is facing trial on terrorism and treasonable felony charges among others.&nbsp;

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Markets and shops heeded the group's&nbsp;call&nbsp;on Monday this week and the streets were mostly deserted, residents said.

But IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful said they were suspending the&nbsp;protest&nbsp;until Kanu's court appearance was scheduled for October 21.&nbsp;

"The suspension of the sit-at-home... was as a result of a direct order from the supreme leader of this great movement (Mazi) Nnamdi Kanu through his lawyers," Powerful said in a statement.

"Our sit-at-home will in the meantime be observed on the date&nbsp;of our leader's court appearances."

He said "the leadership will not hesitate to lift the suspension" if there were "any reason or directive from the IPOB highest command."

Kanu, 53, is being held by the Department of State Services after his lawyers say he was arrested in Kenya in June and brought back to&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;to face trial.

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Nigerian officials have given no details about where he was detained.

Calls for a separate state of Biafra are a sensitive subject in&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;after a unilateral declaration of independence in 1967 sparked a brutal 30-month civil war.

More than one million people died, most of them Igbos, from the impact of conflict, hunger and disease.

The region has seen a spike in violence this year, with attacks on about 20 police stations that authorities blamed on IPOB and its armed wing the Eastern Security Network.

IPOB has repeatedly denied responsibility.

Kanu's arrest was just one action taken by President Muhammadu Buhari's government against separatist agitators in Africa's most populous nation.

Another separatist, Sunday Igboho, who advocates for independence for the southwestern Yoruba people, was arrested last month at the airport in neighbouring Benin, police and airport sources said.

Igboho, who faces extradition back to&nbsp;Nigeria, had been on the run after a gun battle with security forces that killed two of his men, and after weapons and ammunition were discovered at his home.

Separatists in Nigeria on Saturday announced a suspension of a weekly protest over the arrest of their leader, a spokesman for the group said in a statement. The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which wants a separate state for the ethnic Igbo people in the southeast of the country, had recently called on businesses in the oil-rich region to close every Monday.

Separatists in Nigeria on Saturday announced a suspension of a weekly protest over the arrest of their leader, a spokesman for the group said in a statement. The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which wants a separate state for the ethnic Igbo people in the southeast of the country, had recently called on businesses in the oil-rich region to close every Monday. The "sit-at-home" order from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm was to protest the arrest of their leader Nnamdi Kanu who is facing trial on terrorism and treasonable felony charges among others. Also read | Nigeria warns kidnap gangs train with jihadists as cooperation grows Markets and shops heeded the group's call on Monday this week and the streets were mostly deserted, residents said. But IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful said they were suspending the protest until Kanu's court appearance was scheduled for October 21. "The suspension of the sit-at-home... was as a result of a direct order from the supreme leader of this great movement (Mazi) Nnamdi Kanu through his lawyers," Powerful said in a statement. "Our sit-at-home will in the meantime be observed on the date of our leader's court appearances." He said "the leadership will not hesitate to lift the suspension" if there were "any reason or directive from the IPOB highest command." Kanu, 53, is being held by the Department of State Services after his lawyers say he was arrested in Kenya in June and brought back to Nigeria to face trial. Also read | Nigeria faces China's ecological, financial drain Nigerian officials have given no details about where he was detained. Calls for a separate state of Biafra are a sensitive subject in Nigeria after a unilateral declaration of independence in 1967 sparked a brutal 30-month civil war. More than one million people died, most of them Igbos, from the impact of conflict, hunger and disease. The region has seen a spike in violence this year, with attacks on about 20 police stations that authorities blamed on IPOB and its armed wing the Eastern Security Network. IPOB has repeatedly denied responsibility. Kanu's arrest was just one action taken by President Muhammadu Buhari's government against separatist agitators in Africa's most populous nation. Another separatist, Sunday Igboho, who advocates for independence for the southwestern Yoruba people, was arrested last month at the airport in neighbouring Benin, police and airport sources said. Igboho, who faces extradition back to Nigeria, had been on the run after a gun battle with security forces that killed two of his men, and after weapons and ammunition were discovered at his home.

Nigeria separatists suspend protest call

A viral video shows a Nigerian diplomat getting 'manhandled' by Indonesia's immigration officials. The video has now triggered a diplomatic face-off between the two countries. Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Nigeria-Indonesia spar over diplomat's 'mistreatment'

Months after Nigeria banned the social media platform Twitter in a 'tit for tat' action, Information Minister Lai Mohammed says the end to the Twitter ban might be very near.

"The ban on Twitter will soon be lifted as we are getting close to reaching full agreement," Mohammed told local reporters after a cabinet meeting. "We have agreed on some areas. Hopefully in the next few days or weeks we will conclude."

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The Nigerian government had decided to ban social media platform in the country two days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter</a> removed the Nigerian president's 'abusive' civil war tweet.

President Muhammadu Buhari had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-nigerian-presidents-account-for-12-hours-389291" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-nigerian-presidents-account-for-12-hours-389291&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-3NPUt_7wAhVO7XMBHX23DMwQFjAEegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3kGz6nQpjjYMxwzQrz5kFW" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-nigerian-presidents-account-for-12-hours-389291" target="_blank">Twitter suspends&nbsp;Nigerian&nbsp;president's account for 12 hours</a>

His tweet was deleted immediately by Twitter as the platform claimed it violated its "abusive behaviour" policy, which ultimately led to the suspension of his account for 12 hours.

While the majority believed that the government’s action against the platform was a 'tit for tat', the government claims that Twitter was banned as it was being misused for activities that were "capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence".

Months after Nigeria banned the social media platform Twitter in a 'tit for tat' action, Information Minister Lai Mohammed says the end to the Twitter ban might be very near.

Months after Nigeria banned the social media platform Twitter in a 'tit for tat' action, Information Minister Lai Mohammed says the end to the Twitter ban might be very near. "The ban on Twitter will soon be lifted as we are getting close to reaching full agreement," Mohammed told local reporters after a cabinet meeting. "We have agreed on some areas. Hopefully in the next few days or weeks we will conclude." Also read | Nigeria bans Twitter 'indefinitely' after Muhammadu Buhari's account suspension The Nigerian government had decided to ban social media platform in the country two days after Twitter removed the Nigerian president's 'abusive' civil war tweet. President Muhammadu Buhari had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand". Also read | Twitter suspends Nigerian president's account for 12 hours His tweet was deleted immediately by Twitter as the platform claimed it violated its "abusive behaviour" policy, which ultimately led to the suspension of his account for 12 hours. While the majority believed that the government’s action against the platform was a 'tit for tat', the government claims that Twitter was banned as it was being misused for activities that were "capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence".

Twitter ban to be lifted soon in Nigeria, claims minister

A&nbsp;politician&nbsp;was abducted from his home in northern&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;on Monday and a&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;national&nbsp;was&nbsp;kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said.

Abductions for ransom have become a big problem in many areas of&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;in recent months, fuelled in part by economic hardship linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammed Sani Idris, a member of the state government in northern Niger State, was taken from his home in the village of Baban Tunga during the night by unknown assailants, a spokeswoman for the state governor said.

In southwestern Ogun State, a&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;national&nbsp;and his&nbsp;Nigerian driver were abducted on Saturday after a gunfight between their police escort and unknown attackers, said Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state's police spokesman.

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"In an exchange of gunfire, the police killed two of the bandits but the rest used the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;as human shields so the police couldn't act further," he said.

"Police and other security agencies have mobilised and are on the trail of the bandits to rescue the&nbsp;victims."

The rise in abductions and armed robberies, especially in rural areas, is having a devastating effect on&nbsp;Nigerian society, with food shortages on the rise as farmers are unable to access their fields, and people are too scared to travel anywhere.

The crisis is particularly bad in northwestern states, where more than 1,000 schoolchildren have been&nbsp;kidnapped since December in attacks on schools. Some have been released following ransom payments.

A politician was abducted from his home in northern Nigeria on Monday and a Swiss national was kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said.

A politician was abducted from his home in northern Nigeria on Monday and a Swiss national was kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said. Abductions for ransom have become a big problem in many areas of Nigeria in recent months, fuelled in part by economic hardship linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohammed Sani Idris, a member of the state government in northern Niger State, was taken from his home in the village of Baban Tunga during the night by unknown assailants, a spokeswoman for the state governor said. In southwestern Ogun State, a Swiss national and his Nigerian driver were abducted on Saturday after a gunfight between their police escort and unknown attackers, said Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state's police spokesman. Also read | UN report warns more vicious floods, heatwaves, worsening droughts and rise in sea levels "In an exchange of gunfire, the police killed two of the bandits but the rest used the victims as human shields so the police couldn't act further," he said. "Police and other security agencies have mobilised and are on the trail of the bandits to rescue the victims." The rise in abductions and armed robberies, especially in rural areas, is having a devastating effect on Nigerian society, with food shortages on the rise as farmers are unable to access their fields, and people are too scared to travel anywhere. The crisis is particularly bad in northwestern states, where more than 1,000 schoolchildren have been kidnapped since December in attacks on schools. Some have been released following ransom payments.

Local politician, Swiss national among latest kidnap victims in Nigeria

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions.

The development could complicate threats facing Nigeria's security forces who are mired in a 12-year conflict with Islamist militants in northeast Borno while battling criminals across northwestern states.&nbsp;

In a July 23 memo sent to his officers and seen by AFP, Nigeria's immigration chief Muhammad Babandede warned of mass "movement of bandits from Zamfara in northwest to Borno for intensive Boko Haram training."

Nigerian officials use Boko Haram as a general term for all jihadist groups and heavily armed criminal gangs are often referred to locally as bandits.

"In view of this information,... you should intensify monitoring and surveillance around your area of jurisdiction with the view to gathering information," the memo said.

Since the conflict began in 2009, several factions emerged within Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist group, with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) now the dominant force after breaking away in 2016.

Since May,&nbsp;ISWAP has consolidated control in the northeast and security sources say militants forged a closer alliance with gangs in the northwest following the death&nbsp;of Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau in clashes with ISWAP fighters.&nbsp;

Northwest Nigeria has been long been terrorised by criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnap residents and burn homes after looting supplies.

Military deployments and peace deals&nbsp;have failed to end attacks by the bandits who hide in camps in Rugu forest, straddling Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states.&nbsp;

Recently the heavily armed gangs have turned to mass kidnappings of students from schools and colleges to squeeze out more ransom cash.&nbsp;

The bandits chase financial gain and have no known ideological leanings, but there has been growing concern among security experts and officials over their ties with jihadists.

The alliance assures mutual benefits: Jihadists make money by supplying arms to the bandits who use them in raids on villages and kidnapping for ransom.&nbsp;

"It is no surprise that the bandits are moving to the northeast for training with ISWAP," said one security source in the region who has been involved in fighting criminal gangs.

"The more the bandits forge alliance with jihadists, the more they get radicalised, dimming the possibility of any peace deal with authorities."

Growing collaboration

Jihadist cooperation with criminal gangs is not new in Nigeria.

Two years ago, Nigeria's then defence minister warned about bandit ties with Boko Haram in Zamfara.

Awwalun Daudawa, a bandit chief behind the kidnapping of 300 students from Kankara in December, was a former Boko Haram gunrunner.

He was killed in May in clashes with a rival gang.

Another al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, Ansaru, operates in Kogi and Kaduna states and near Abuja, often collaborating with bandits, according to another security source who took part in operations against the militants.

ISWAP kept links with bandits in Zamfara state since its formation and has camps in forests in the state, according to local sources with deep knowledge of bandit activities.

But the deepening ties between ISWAP and bandits appear to have emboldened the criminals, said the security source in the region.

The bandits may feel more morally justified for their crimes, now they are increasingly aligned with ISWAP which claims to be waging a holy war, said the security source.

Local officials have made several peace deals with bandits, only for the criminals to renege, sometimes at the instigation of the jihadist group, sources with knowledge of the amnesty deals said.

ISWAP was instrumental in the internal squabbles between Buharin Daji, a criminal kingpin in Zamfara, and his lieutenant Dogo Gide, said one local source with past contacts with jihadists.

In March 2018 Gide and his gang killed Daji and seven of his lieutenants in a meeting at the behest of ISWAP who saw him as an obstacle in their effort to strengthen alliance with criminals gangs.&nbsp;

Buharin Daji was opposed to ISWAP on the grounds that they wanted to spread their hardline Salafi interpretation of Islam among his people, said the source.

Gide later reneged on a peace deal with authorities in Zamfara on ISWAP orders before relocating to Niger state, from where he has coordinated kidnappings.

With Shekau out of the way, closer collaboration between ISWAP jihadists and bandits may increase, said another security source in the northeast.

"Shekau was, in a way, a stumbling block in ISWAP's plan for closer cooperation," the source said. "Now that Shekau is dead and Boko Haram subdued, the coast is clear."

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions.

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions. The development could complicate threats facing Nigeria's security forces who are mired in a 12-year conflict with Islamist militants in northeast Borno while battling criminals across northwestern states. In a July 23 memo sent to his officers and seen by AFP, Nigeria's immigration chief Muhammad Babandede warned of mass "movement of bandits from Zamfara in northwest to Borno for intensive Boko Haram training." Nigerian officials use Boko Haram as a general term for all jihadist groups and heavily armed criminal gangs are often referred to locally as bandits. "In view of this information,... you should intensify monitoring and surveillance around your area of jurisdiction with the view to gathering information," the memo said. Since the conflict began in 2009, several factions emerged within Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist group, with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) now the dominant force after breaking away in 2016. Since May, ISWAP has consolidated control in the northeast and security sources say militants forged a closer alliance with gangs in the northwest following the death of Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau in clashes with ISWAP fighters. Northwest Nigeria has been long been terrorised by criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnap residents and burn homes after looting supplies. Military deployments and peace deals have failed to end attacks by the bandits who hide in camps in Rugu forest, straddling Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states. Recently the heavily armed gangs have turned to mass kidnappings of students from schools and colleges to squeeze out more ransom cash. The bandits chase financial gain and have no known ideological leanings, but there has been growing concern among security experts and officials over their ties with jihadists. The alliance assures mutual benefits: Jihadists make money by supplying arms to the bandits who use them in raids on villages and kidnapping for ransom. "It is no surprise that the bandits are moving to the northeast for training with ISWAP," said one security source in the region who has been involved in fighting criminal gangs. "The more the bandits forge alliance with jihadists, the more they get radicalised, dimming the possibility of any peace deal with authorities." Growing collaboration Jihadist cooperation with criminal gangs is not new in Nigeria. Two years ago, Nigeria's then defence minister warned about bandit ties with Boko Haram in Zamfara. Awwalun Daudawa, a bandit chief behind the kidnapping of 300 students from Kankara in December, was a former Boko Haram gunrunner. He was killed in May in clashes with a rival gang. Another al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, Ansaru, operates in Kogi and Kaduna states and near Abuja, often collaborating with bandits, according to another security source who took part in operations against the militants. ISWAP kept links with bandits in Zamfara state since its formation and has camps in forests in the state, according to local sources with deep knowledge of bandit activities. But the deepening ties between ISWAP and bandits appear to have emboldened the criminals, said the security source in the region. The bandits may feel more morally justified for their crimes, now they are increasingly aligned with ISWAP which claims to be waging a holy war, said the security source. Local officials have made several peace deals with bandits, only for the criminals to renege, sometimes at the instigation of the jihadist group, sources with knowledge of the amnesty deals said. ISWAP was instrumental in the internal squabbles between Buharin Daji, a criminal kingpin in Zamfara, and his lieutenant Dogo Gide, said one local source with past contacts with jihadists. In March 2018 Gide and his gang killed Daji and seven of his lieutenants in a meeting at the behest of ISWAP who saw him as an obstacle in their effort to strengthen alliance with criminals gangs. Buharin Daji was opposed to ISWAP on the grounds that they wanted to spread their hardline Salafi interpretation of Islam among his people, said the source. Gide later reneged on a peace deal with authorities in Zamfara on ISWAP orders before relocating to Niger state, from where he has coordinated kidnappings. With Shekau out of the way, closer collaboration between ISWAP jihadists and bandits may increase, said another security source in the northeast. "Shekau was, in a way, a stumbling block in ISWAP's plan for closer cooperation," the source said. "Now that Shekau is dead and Boko Haram subdued, the coast is clear."

Nigeria warns kidnap gangs train with jihadists as cooperation grows

Nigeria received four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States on Sunday as the West African nation steps up efforts to battle a third wave of infections.

The doses, which came on two planes, were received by officials from the UN children agency UNICEF on behalf of Nigeria at the airport in the capital Abuja, an AFP video reporter at the scene said.

It was the second batch of vaccines to arrive in Africa's most populous nation after four million doses were delivered in March under the Covax scheme.

Covax was set up to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines, particularly to low-income countries, and has already delivered more than 80 million doses to 129 territories.

Nigeria, which is home to some 210 million people used the four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in received in March to start its nationwide inoculation programme.

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Experts worry that the highly contagious Delta variant could pose another setback to vaccine distribution&nbsp;if wealthier countries begin requiring booster shots for fully-vaccinated people, it could slow shipments of urgently needed doses to developing nations.

The virus has killed 2,149 people and infected nearly 174,000 in Nigeria, but the real figures are believed to be much higher, in part because of low testing rates.

Last month, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said it had detected the Delta variant, putting officials on alert for a third wave of infections in the country.

In June, Nigeria barred passengers who are not citizens or permanent residents from entering the country if they have been in South Africa in the past 14 days.

The decision followed similar restrictions imposed on travellers coming from Brazil, India and Turkey.

Nigeria received four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States on Sunday as the West African nation steps up efforts to battle a third wave of infections.

Nigeria received four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States on Sunday as the West African nation steps up efforts to battle a third wave of infections. The doses, which came on two planes, were received by officials from the UN children agency UNICEF on behalf of Nigeria at the airport in the capital Abuja, an AFP video reporter at the scene said. It was the second batch of vaccines to arrive in Africa's most populous nation after four million doses were delivered in March under the Covax scheme. Covax was set up to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines, particularly to low-income countries, and has already delivered more than 80 million doses to 129 territories. Nigeria, which is home to some 210 million people used the four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in received in March to start its nationwide inoculation programme. Also read | Nigeria bans Twitter 'indefinitely' after Muhammadu Buhari's account suspension Experts worry that the highly contagious Delta variant could pose another setback to vaccine distribution if wealthier countries begin requiring booster shots for fully-vaccinated people, it could slow shipments of urgently needed doses to developing nations. The virus has killed 2,149 people and infected nearly 174,000 in Nigeria, but the real figures are believed to be much higher, in part because of low testing rates. Last month, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said it had detected the Delta variant, putting officials on alert for a third wave of infections in the country. In June, Nigeria barred passengers who are not citizens or permanent residents from entering the country if they have been in South Africa in the past 14 days. The decision followed similar restrictions imposed on travellers coming from Brazil, India and Turkey.

Nigeria receives four million vaccine doses from US

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region

"Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP. "In all, we have 34 children who have been freed and 87 are still held as hostages by the bandits."

Northwestern Nigeria has long been plagued by heavily armed gangs, known locally as bandits. These bandits have been looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. Lately, they have targetted schools and colleges.

Heavily-armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom, but they have lately targeted schools and colleges.

Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted across Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. 
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is under fire for growing insecurity in the country, has ordered the security forces to ensure safe and early release of all kidnap victims.

(Wth inputs from agencies)

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region "Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP.

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region "Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP. "In all, we have 34 children who have been freed and 87 are still held as hostages by the bandits." Northwestern Nigeria has long been plagued by heavily armed gangs, known locally as bandits. These bandits have been looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. Lately, they have targetted schools and colleges. Heavily-armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom, but they have lately targeted schools and colleges. Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted across Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. President Muhammadu Buhari, who is under fire for growing insecurity in the country, has ordered the security forces to ensure safe and early release of all kidnap victims. (Wth inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen release 28 kidnapped students

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days.&nbsp;

Heavily armed gangs -- called bandits by locals -- have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom.

In this instance, on July 8 gunmen stormed Manawa village and seized 100 residents, including women and children, and took them to their forest hideout, a spokesman for Zamfara state police said in a statement.&nbsp;

Hostages are usually released after ransom payment, with those whose families fail to pay often being killed by the captors -- but Mohammed Shehu said that this time, the release was "unconditional" and had been secured "without giving any financial or material gain" to the gang.&nbsp;

A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP the bandits agreed to release the kidnapped villagers after the police and state authorities "assured them no action would be taken against them for the kidnap".

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The released hostages would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families, Shehu said.

Bandit gangs operate from camps in the vast Rugu forest, which cuts across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in Nigeria, as well as neighbouring Niger.

Nigeria's air force has in the past attacked bandit camps while some northern states have sought to negotiate with the gangs by offering amnesties in return for disarmament.

But both military deployment and attempted peace deals have failed to end the violence.

On Monday 13 policemen were killed in Zamfara state when they were ambushed by a gang as they deployed to protect a village from imminent attack.

The criminals have recently focused on attacking schools and kidnapping students to extort ransom money from parents.&nbsp;

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days.

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days. Heavily armed gangs -- called bandits by locals -- have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. In this instance, on July 8 gunmen stormed Manawa village and seized 100 residents, including women and children, and took them to their forest hideout, a spokesman for Zamfara state police said in a statement. Hostages are usually released after ransom payment, with those whose families fail to pay often being killed by the captors -- but Mohammed Shehu said that this time, the release was "unconditional" and had been secured "without giving any financial or material gain" to the gang. A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP the bandits agreed to release the kidnapped villagers after the police and state authorities "assured them no action would be taken against them for the kidnap". Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter The released hostages would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families, Shehu said. Bandit gangs operate from camps in the vast Rugu forest, which cuts across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in Nigeria, as well as neighbouring Niger. Nigeria's air force has in the past attacked bandit camps while some northern states have sought to negotiate with the gangs by offering amnesties in return for disarmament. But both military deployment and attempted peace deals have failed to end the violence. On Monday 13 policemen were killed in Zamfara state when they were ambushed by a gang as they deployed to protect a village from imminent attack. The criminals have recently focused on attacking schools and kidnapping students to extort ransom money from parents.

100 kidnapped women and children freed in Nigeria

Nigeria&nbsp;has put&nbsp;six&nbsp;states&nbsp;on&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;after seeing a "worrisome" rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;infections, a government official said, urging people to curb&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is like most parts of the continent now facing a&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;third wave after detecting the more transmissible Delta variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-south-africa-another-coronavirus-variant-emerges-in-nigeria-352189">After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria</a>

The head of the presidential steering committee on&nbsp;COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory had been placed on&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;as part of preventive measures against the pandemic.

A&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;allows authorities in the&nbsp;states&nbsp;to restrict celebrations and&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;to a minimum.

"These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in&nbsp;Nigeria," Mustapha said in a statement.

Mustapha said there was potential for wider spread of the virus during the Eid-el-Kabir&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;and said Friday prayers should be held outside local mosques.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-will-stay-with-us-for-the-next-10-years-says-vaccine-creator-351920">Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator</a>

He also suspended Durbar, an annual Muslim festival in northern&nbsp;Nigeria, which is marked by colourful horse riding events watched by large&nbsp;gatherings.

Last week,&nbsp;Nigeria, which has recorded 169,329 cases and 2,126 deaths said it expected to receive nearly 8 million additional doses of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines </a>by the end of August, including from a U.S. government donation.

Nigeria has put six states on red alert after seeing a "worrisome" rise in COVID-19 infections, a government official said, urging people to curb gatherings and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir.

Nigeria has put six states on red alert after seeing a "worrisome" rise in COVID-19 infections, a government official said, urging people to curb gatherings and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is like most parts of the continent now facing a COVID-19 third wave after detecting the more transmissible Delta variant. Also read | After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria The head of the presidential steering committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory had been placed on red alert as part of preventive measures against the pandemic. A red alert allows authorities in the states to restrict celebrations and gatherings to a minimum. "These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria," Mustapha said in a statement. Mustapha said there was potential for wider spread of the virus during the Eid-el-Kabir gatherings and said Friday prayers should be held outside local mosques. Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator He also suspended Durbar, an annual Muslim festival in northern Nigeria, which is marked by colourful horse riding events watched by large gatherings. Last week, Nigeria, which has recorded 169,329 cases and 2,126 deaths said it expected to receive nearly 8 million additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of August, including from a U.S. government donation.

Nigeria puts six states on COVID-19 red alert, curbs gatherings

Armed cattle thieves have killed at least 35 people in five villages in northwest&nbsp;Nigeria's Zamfara state, police said Saturday, in the latest violence in the restive region.

Local residents however said up to 43 villagers were killed in the attack late Thursday.

"Thirty-five people were killed by the bandits in the five villages," state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu told AFP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kidnapped-nigerian-students-freed-after-ransom-paid-397176">Kidnapped Nigerian students freed after ransom paid</a>

Motorcycle-riding gunmen launched coordinated attacks on remote villages of&nbsp;Gidan Adamu, Tsauni, Gidan Baushi, Gidan Maidawa and Wari in Maradun district, shooting residents and burning homes.

"The attackers left before security teams arrived because the area is hard to reach due to bad roads," Shehu said.&nbsp;

But residents said 43 people were killed and seven injured in the attack.

"We found a total of 43 bodies from the villages along with seven people with injuries," resident Danladi Sabo told AFP.

He said those killed were buried on Friday while the injured were taken to hospital in Gusau, the state capital.

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Northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;have been regularly terrorised by gangs of cattle thieves and kidnappers who raid villages, killing and seizing residents as well as stealing livestock after looting and burning homes.

On Wednesday, bandits killed 18 people when they raided Tsauwa village in neighbouring Katsina state.

Last month, 53 were killed when bandits raided six villages in Zamfara's Zurmi district.

The gangs are largely motivated by financial gains but some of them have appeared in videos pledging allegiance to jihadists, who are waging a 12-year-old insurgency to establish an Islamic state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-jihadist-ambush-kills-19-troops-says-report-370263">Nigeria: Jihadist ambush kills 19 troops, says report</a>

Military operations and amnesty offers have failed to end the attacks.

In a state broadcast last month, Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle asked residents to defend themselves against "killer bandits."

The criminals have recently focused on raiding schools and kidnapping students to squeeze ransom payments from parents and the authorities.

On Monday, more than 100 students were kidnapped from a boarding school in neighbouring Kaduna state, in the latest mass abduction targeting schools in&nbsp;Nigeria.

Armed cattle thieves have killed at least 35 people in five villages in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, police said Saturday, in the latest violence in the restive region.

Armed cattle thieves have killed at least 35 people in five villages in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, police said Saturday, in the latest violence in the restive region. Local residents however said up to 43 villagers were killed in the attack late Thursday. "Thirty-five people were killed by the bandits in the five villages," state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu told AFP. Also read | Kidnapped Nigerian students freed after ransom paid Motorcycle-riding gunmen launched coordinated attacks on remote villages of Gidan Adamu, Tsauni, Gidan Baushi, Gidan Maidawa and Wari in Maradun district, shooting residents and burning homes. "The attackers left before security teams arrived because the area is hard to reach due to bad roads," Shehu said. But residents said 43 people were killed and seven injured in the attack. "We found a total of 43 bodies from the villages along with seven people with injuries," resident Danladi Sabo told AFP. He said those killed were buried on Friday while the injured were taken to hospital in Gusau, the state capital. Northwest and central Nigeria have been regularly terrorised by gangs of cattle thieves and kidnappers who raid villages, killing and seizing residents as well as stealing livestock after looting and burning homes. On Wednesday, bandits killed 18 people when they raided Tsauwa village in neighbouring Katsina state. Last month, 53 were killed when bandits raided six villages in Zamfara's Zurmi district. The gangs are largely motivated by financial gains but some of them have appeared in videos pledging allegiance to jihadists, who are waging a 12-year-old insurgency to establish an Islamic state. Also read | Nigeria: Jihadist ambush kills 19 troops, says report Military operations and amnesty offers have failed to end the attacks. In a state broadcast last month, Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle asked residents to defend themselves against "killer bandits." The criminals have recently focused on raiding schools and kidnapping students to squeeze ransom payments from parents and the authorities. On Monday, more than 100 students were kidnapped from a boarding school in neighbouring Kaduna state, in the latest mass abduction targeting schools in Nigeria.

Bandits kill 35 villagers in northwest Nigeria: Police

Six&nbsp;students&nbsp;and two officials who were&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released&nbsp;after&nbsp;relatives&nbsp;paid&nbsp;ransom&nbsp;money, a school official and parent said on Friday.

Kidnappings by armed men, commonly referred to in Nigeria as "bandits", have become endemic in northern Nigeria, disrupting the education of hundreds of thousands of children.

Gunmen attacked the main campus of the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Kaduna on June 10 and took&nbsp;students&nbsp;and staff members, in the process killing one student.

The college's spokesman Abdullahi Shehu, said the&nbsp;students&nbsp;and officials were released late on Thursday at an undisclosed location.

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They "regained their&nbsp;freedom&nbsp;after&nbsp;their parents and relatives negotiated with the bandits", Shehu told Reuters, but declined to say whether negotiations involved paying a&nbsp;ransom.

A parent whose child was&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;said parents and relatives of the&nbsp;students&nbsp;negotiated with the gunmen and&nbsp;paid&nbsp;ransom&nbsp;money.

"I am not in position to tell you how much we contributed and&nbsp;paid. That is not necessary. The most important thing is that we have secured their&nbsp;freedom, period," Saminu Bala, one of the parents of the&nbsp;freed&nbsp;students, said.

At least 10 institutions have been hit by kidnappers and around 1,000&nbsp;students&nbsp;and staff abducted since December.

Six students and two officials who were kidnapped last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released after relatives paid ransom money, a school official and parent said on Friday.

Six students and two officials who were kidnapped last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released after relatives paid ransom money, a school official and parent said on Friday. Kidnappings by armed men, commonly referred to in Nigeria as "bandits", have become endemic in northern Nigeria, disrupting the education of hundreds of thousands of children. Gunmen attacked the main campus of the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Kaduna on June 10 and took students and staff members, in the process killing one student. The college's spokesman Abdullahi Shehu, said the students and officials were released late on Thursday at an undisclosed location. Also read | Nigeria bans Twitter 'indefinitely' after Muhammadu Buhari's account suspension They "regained their freedom after their parents and relatives negotiated with the bandits", Shehu told Reuters, but declined to say whether negotiations involved paying a ransom. A parent whose child was kidnapped said parents and relatives of the students negotiated with the gunmen and paid ransom money. "I am not in position to tell you how much we contributed and paid. That is not necessary. The most important thing is that we have secured their freedom, period," Saminu Bala, one of the parents of the freed students, said. At least 10 institutions have been hit by kidnappers and around 1,000 students and staff abducted since December.

Kidnapped Nigerian students freed after ransom paid

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. 
 
The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. 
 
Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. 
 
"May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. 
 
His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. 
 
"Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." 
 
Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. 
 
Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. 
 
Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. 
 
Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm&nbsp;on Sunday and 4 am&nbsp;on Monday morning. 
 
Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. 
 
Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. 
 
Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. 
 
In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel.

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. "May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. "Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm on Sunday and 4 am on Monday morning. Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. (With inputs from agencies)

Some 150 students missing after gunmen raid Nigerian school: Report

Armed men have kidnapped about 150 students from a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state. This is the tenth mass school kidnapping in the country in the last six months.

Nigeria: 150 students abducted by Gunmen from a boarding school

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges.

In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there.

"The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP.

Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted.

"Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." 
Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher.

Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held.

Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren. Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges. In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there. "The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP. Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted. "Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher. Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap 140 students from boarding school

When Nigerian student and model Victoria Chiamaka Udeh was branding her country's red-stained flag while walking down the runway during a beauty pageant in Russia, she could only think about how young people lost their lives during the #EndSars protests in Nigeria last year.

When Nigerian student and model Victoria Chiamaka Udeh was branding her country's red-stained flag while walking down the runway during a beauty pageant in Russia, she could only think about how young people lost their lives during the #EndSars protests in Nigeria last year. She used the Miss Africa Russia platform to make a statement about the anti-police brutality demonstrations that struck her country last year in October. CNN quoted her saying, "I felt like 'right now I don't care about what the judges think about what I'm doing.' What mattered to me was using the platform that Miss Africa Russia had given me to pass a message". The police brutality is now being investigated by a judicial panel, which has been set up by the authorities. The NIGERIA Representative Miss Africa in RUSSIA 2021 displayed uncommon courage as she came out with blood stained Nigeria flag, an indication of daily blood flow of innocent people across NIGERIA. TBRV | Biafra pic.twitter.com/VfRmHxPMkA — The Biafra Restoration Voice - TBRV (@TBRVorg) June 16, 2021 × The Nigerian army had admitted to having in possession both live and blank bullets when they were deployed to protests at Lekki toll gate on October 20. The admission was seen as a confirmation of a key finding of a CNN investigation into the shooting incident. Also Read | Nigeria admits soldiers had live bullets at Lekki Toll Gate protest Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo in his testimony to the Lagos Judicial panel of inquiry into the incident, said, "The soldiers were given both live and blank bullets. In this particular case, we saw that these protests had been infiltrated by some hoodlums". As per Udeh, she used the platform to "break beauty stereotypes". Speaking with CNN, she said, "At that time, I wasn't comfortable with my skin because I had a lot of acne all over my face. So, I wanted to prove to myself and people like me that I can break beauty stereotypes and that the flaws on my skin are part of what makes me perfect". In a video from the event that struck social media, the model could be seen dressed in Nigeria's green and white colours, while she is holding the red-splashed flag. She said the banner symbolised the blood of young protesters who lost their lives last year. While she did not win the competition, she was rated top in the "people's choice" category by the organisers. Udeh said that wearing the colours made her "very emotional". "I did that for a good cause. We need to be safe in our country and not losing lives every day. It was just a call to the Nigerian government to address the country's security issues," she said.

Nigerian model uses Russian beauty pageant as a platform to protest police brutality

After the fight between social media platform, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter?page=1">Twitter</a>, and the government of Nigeria, media houses fear it might be their chance of coming under the hammer.

Several media organisations in Nigeria are concerned that the Nigerian government might bring in stricter rules and regulations to clamp down on freedom of media in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breach-of-right-to-express-activists-claim-court-restrains-nigeria-from-prosecuting-twitter-users-393410">'Breach of right to express': Activists claim court restrains Nigeria from prosecuting Twitter users</a>

The concern has come as the lawmakers of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressive Congress party proposed a new amendment that would allow the government to form a code of conduct for all the locally-based media houses and journalists. Under this amendment media will be fined and prosecuted for any breaches and "fake news".

If voted in favour of, this new amendment will penalise and put journalists behind bars for three years under the new Nigerian Press Council Act.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/everyone-should-ban-them-trump-hails-nigerias-twitter-ban-390424" hreflang="en">'Everyone should ban them': Trump hails Nigeria's Twitter ban</a>

"It is deeply disturbing and is causing a lot of concern for us who work in the media," said Stephanie Adams, a programme officer of media freedoms at the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism.

This new amendment will also give the government the freedom to choose the majority of members of the Nigerian Press Council, which journalists feel is an attack on the freedom of the press.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980" hreflang="en">'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

"It's an attack on the independence of the media. The board should be a composition from various media and other relevant stakeholders," Adams said.

"Not appointed by the federal government or the minister of information. There should be some form of autonomy."

This new amendment has come after Twitter was banned from Nigeria a few days after the social media platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an&nbsp;'abusive' civil war tweet.

The leader had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand".

However, the government rubbished these reports and claimed banning Twitter is not a means to stop people from exercising their right to express and the decision was taken to make sure people use these platforms responsibly.

After the fight between social media platform, Twitter, and the government of Nigeria, media houses fear it might be their chance of coming under the hammer. Several media organisations in Nigeria are concerned that the Nigerian government might bring in stricter rules and regulations to clamp down on freedom of media in the country.

After the fight between social media platform, Twitter, and the government of Nigeria, media houses fear it might be their chance of coming under the hammer. Several media organisations in Nigeria are concerned that the Nigerian government might bring in stricter rules and regulations to clamp down on freedom of media in the country. Also read | 'Breach of right to express': Activists claim court restrains Nigeria from prosecuting Twitter users The concern has come as the lawmakers of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressive Congress party proposed a new amendment that would allow the government to form a code of conduct for all the locally-based media houses and journalists. Under this amendment media will be fined and prosecuted for any breaches and "fake news". If voted in favour of, this new amendment will penalise and put journalists behind bars for three years under the new Nigerian Press Council Act. Also read | 'Everyone should ban them': Trump hails Nigeria's Twitter ban "It is deeply disturbing and is causing a lot of concern for us who work in the media," said Stephanie Adams, a programme officer of media freedoms at the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism. This new amendment will also give the government the freedom to choose the majority of members of the Nigerian Press Council, which journalists feel is an attack on the freedom of the press. Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter "It's an attack on the independence of the media. The board should be a composition from various media and other relevant stakeholders," Adams said. "Not appointed by the federal government or the minister of information. There should be some form of autonomy." This new amendment has come after Twitter was banned from Nigeria a few days after the social media platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an 'abusive' civil war tweet. The leader had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand". However, the government rubbished these reports and claimed banning Twitter is not a means to stop people from exercising their right to express and the decision was taken to make sure people use these platforms responsibly.

'Where is freedom of press?': Nigeria's media fears restrictions after Twitter ban

A few weeks after the Nigerian government banned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter</a>&nbsp;from the country, a West African court has restrained the authorities from "unlawfully" prosecuting people using the social media platform.

After banning Twitter in the country, the Nigerian attorney general declared that anyone who defied the ban will be prosecuted. However, he had not made it clear which law will be invoked for such 'criminal activities'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980" hreflang="en">'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

To counter this, a local rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), knocked on the court’s door to challenge this new law. The court ruled that interfering with someone’s interest in Twitter would be equivalent to interfering with their freedom of expression.

"The court has listened very well to the objection," SERAP Nigeria said. "Any interference with Twitter is viewed as inference with human rights, and that will violate human rights."

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BREAKING: Twitter ban: According to the ECOWAS Court: “The court has listened very well to the objection by Nigeria. Any interference with Twitter is viewed as inference with human rights. This will violate human rights. Nigeria must take immediate steps to implement this order.”
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) <a href="https://twitter.com/SERAPNigeria/status/1407360583746392068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Activists also argued that the Nigeria government should be held responsible for violation of "their fundamental human right and for breaching its international obligations".

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We commend the decision of the ECOWAS Court ordering <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nigeria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nigeria</a> to refrain from prosecuting Nigerians using <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@twitter</a> pending the final outcome of the case filed by <a href="https://twitter.com/SERAPNigeria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SERAPNigeria</a> challenging the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwitterBanNigeria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TwitterBanNigeria</a> <a href="https://t.co/0dCquXThNg">https://t.co/0dCquXThNg</a> <a href="https://t.co/QC7HAg0gOP">pic.twitter.com/QC7HAg0gOP</a>
— RFK Human Rights (@RFKHumanRights) <a href="https://twitter.com/RFKHumanRights/status/1407373764078227460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Nigerian government, meanwhile, claims the ban is not a means to stop people from exercising their right to express and the decision was taken to make sure people use these platforms responsibly.

"Regulating social media is not about stifling press freedom. All we are talking about is the responsible use of these platforms," Nigeria’s Information minister Lai Mohammed told Reuters.

Twitter was banned from Nigeria a few days after Twitter suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an&nbsp;'abusive' civil war tweet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/everyone-should-ban-them-trump-hails-nigerias-twitter-ban-390424" hreflang="en">'Everyone should ban them': Trump hails Nigeria's Twitter ban</a>

The leader had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand".

Claiming it to be a strong violation of the "abusive behaviour" policy, Twitter suspended President’s account for 12 hours. However, the government decided to suspend the platform for an indefinite time and claimed Twitter was being misused for activities that were "capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence".

A few weeks after the Nigerian government banned Twitter from the country, a West African court has restrained the authorities from "unlawfully" prosecuting people using the social media platform.

A few weeks after the Nigerian government banned Twitter from the country, a West African court has restrained the authorities from "unlawfully" prosecuting people using the social media platform. After banning Twitter in the country, the Nigerian attorney general declared that anyone who defied the ban will be prosecuted. However, he had not made it clear which law will be invoked for such 'criminal activities'. Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter To counter this, a local rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), knocked on the court’s door to challenge this new law. The court ruled that interfering with someone’s interest in Twitter would be equivalent to interfering with their freedom of expression. "The court has listened very well to the objection," SERAP Nigeria said. "Any interference with Twitter is viewed as inference with human rights, and that will violate human rights." BREAKING: Twitter ban: According to the ECOWAS Court: “The court has listened very well to the objection by Nigeria. Any interference with Twitter is viewed as inference with human rights. This will violate human rights. Nigeria must take immediate steps to implement this order.” — SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) June 22, 2021 × Activists also argued that the Nigeria government should be held responsible for violation of "their fundamental human right and for breaching its international obligations". We commend the decision of the ECOWAS Court ordering #Nigeria to refrain from prosecuting Nigerians using @twitter pending the final outcome of the case filed by @SERAPNigeria challenging the #TwitterBanNigeria https://t.co/0dCquXThNg pic.twitter.com/QC7HAg0gOP — RFK Human Rights (@RFKHumanRights) June 22, 2021 × The Nigerian government, meanwhile, claims the ban is not a means to stop people from exercising their right to express and the decision was taken to make sure people use these platforms responsibly. "Regulating social media is not about stifling press freedom. All we are talking about is the responsible use of these platforms," Nigeria’s Information minister Lai Mohammed told Reuters. Twitter was banned from Nigeria a few days after Twitter suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an 'abusive' civil war tweet. Also read | 'Everyone should ban them': Trump hails Nigeria's Twitter ban The leader had tweeted in relation to the 1967-70 civil war saying, "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand". Claiming it to be a strong violation of the "abusive behaviour" policy, Twitter suspended President’s account for 12 hours. However, the government decided to suspend the platform for an indefinite time and claimed Twitter was being misused for activities that were "capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence".

'Breach of right to express': Activists claim court restrains Nigeria from prosecuting Twitter users

Africa's largest Economy Nigeria is planning to launch its digital currency by the end of this year. Nigeria’s Central Bank is preparing a digital currency pilot that could launch as early as the end of this year, its director of information technology said in a recording heard by Reuters on Friday.

Nigeria to launch pilot digital currency by year-end

Ten people who had been held captive by Islamist militants were freed this week in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, three security sources and two close associates of those released told Reuters.

The people, including aid workers, had been taken by Boko Haram over the past year, the sources said. They were released at around noon (1100 GMT) on Monday and were taken to a hospital in Borno state capital Maiduguri.

The sources said the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a rival militant group to Boko Haram, had released the hostages after finding them in a Boko Haram camp, but it was not immediately clear why they released them.

An army spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nigeria-switches-to-indias-koo-app-after-twitter-ban-390711">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nigeria-switches-to-indias-koo-app-after-twitter-ban-390711/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

UNHCR spokesman Roland Schoenbauer confirmed that one of their staff workers, Idriss Abubakar Garba, who was abducted on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway road in January, was among those released.

"We are relieved at his safe return," Schoenbauer said when reached by phone.

Earlier this month, a person purporting to be ISWAP leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi said in an audio recording that the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, had died around May 18 after detonating an explosive device when he was pursued by ISWAP fighters following a battle.

Political analysts said Shekau's death could lead to the end of a violent rivalry between the two groups, enabling ISWAP to absorb Boko Haram fighters and consolidate its hold on territory in northeastern Nigeria.

Ten people who had been held captive by Islamist militants were freed this week in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, three security sources and two close associates of those released told Reuters.

Ten people who had been held captive by Islamist militants were freed this week in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, three security sources and two close associates of those released told Reuters. The people, including aid workers, had been taken by Boko Haram over the past year, the sources said. They were released at around noon (1100 GMT) on Monday and were taken to a hospital in Borno state capital Maiduguri. The sources said the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a rival militant group to Boko Haram, had released the hostages after finding them in a Boko Haram camp, but it was not immediately clear why they released them. An army spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. WATCH | UNHCR spokesman Roland Schoenbauer confirmed that one of their staff workers, Idriss Abubakar Garba, who was abducted on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway road in January, was among those released. "We are relieved at his safe return," Schoenbauer said when reached by phone. Earlier this month, a person purporting to be ISWAP leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi said in an audio recording that the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, had died around May 18 after detonating an explosive device when he was pursued by ISWAP fighters following a battle. Political analysts said Shekau's death could lead to the end of a violent rivalry between the two groups, enabling ISWAP to absorb Boko Haram fighters and consolidate its hold on territory in northeastern Nigeria.

Ten captives freed by Islamist militants in northeast Nigeria: Sources

Nigerian police on Saturday fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protests in the commercial city of Lagos and the capital Abuja, injuring some people and arresting others, AFP reporters said.

Nigerian activists had called for nationwide protests over what they criticise as bad governance and insecurity, as well as the recent ban of US social media platform Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-demands-social-media-firms-get-local-licence-390687">Nigeria demands social media firms get local licence</a>

The protests were the first to take place simultaneously in several cities since the #EndSARS movement against police brutality in October grew into the largest anti-government rallies in&nbsp;Nigeria's modern history.

Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday in Lagos, a sprawling megapolis of over 20 million people, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.&nbsp;

The protesters carried banners and placards saying "Buhari Must Go", calling for reforms.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980">'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

In Abuja, a similar scenario played out as the protesters gathered as early as 7.00 am.

A detachment of police and army broke up the crowd using tear gas, AFP reporters at the scene said.

Some journalists were harassed by the security forces, they said.

Police had said the protests were unauthorised and AFP reporters said they saw several people being detained.

<img alt="Nigerian police detaining protestors" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c63b4734-e4eb-4aab-846b-eec1c0c2cfe1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2836%29_15.jpg" />

There were also pockets of protests in Ibadan, Osogbo, Abeokuta and Akure, all in southwestern&nbsp;Nigeria.&nbsp;

Buhari, a former general first elected in 2015, has been under pressure over growing insecurity in Africa's most populous nation, home to more than 200 million people.

Security forces are battling a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, a surge in mass kidnappings and attacks by criminal gangs in the northwest and a rise in separatist tensions in the southeast.

The government also triggered an outcry a week ago when it indefinitely suspended Twitter in the country, saying the platform was used for activities aiming to destabilise&nbsp;Nigeria.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/twitter-indefinitely-shutdown-in-nigeria-389575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

The UN,&nbsp;Nigeria's Western partners and rights groups all condemned the move as a blow to freedom of expression.

Saturday's demonstrations were called to coincide with "Democracy Day", marking the anniversary of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola's election as Nigerian president in 1993.&nbsp;

Abiola's victory was annulled by the then military government, plunging&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;into months of civil unrest.

Nigeria&nbsp;returned to civilian rule on May 29, 1999, but Buhari chose June 12 as Democracy Day after becoming president to honour Abiola and other heroes of the struggle.

Nigerian police on Saturday fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protests in the commercial city of Lagos and the capital Abuja, injuring some people and arresting others, AFP reporters said.

Nigerian police on Saturday fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protests in the commercial city of Lagos and the capital Abuja, injuring some people and arresting others, AFP reporters said. Nigerian activists had called for nationwide protests over what they criticise as bad governance and insecurity, as well as the recent ban of US social media platform Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Also read | Nigeria demands social media firms get local licence The protests were the first to take place simultaneously in several cities since the #EndSARS movement against police brutality in October grew into the largest anti-government rallies in Nigeria's modern history. Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday in Lagos, a sprawling megapolis of over 20 million people, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protesters carried banners and placards saying "Buhari Must Go", calling for reforms. Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter In Abuja, a similar scenario played out as the protesters gathered as early as 7.00 am. A detachment of police and army broke up the crowd using tear gas, AFP reporters at the scene said. Some journalists were harassed by the security forces, they said. Police had said the protests were unauthorised and AFP reporters said they saw several people being detained. There were also pockets of protests in Ibadan, Osogbo, Abeokuta and Akure, all in southwestern Nigeria. Buhari, a former general first elected in 2015, has been under pressure over growing insecurity in Africa's most populous nation, home to more than 200 million people. Security forces are battling a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, a surge in mass kidnappings and attacks by criminal gangs in the northwest and a rise in separatist tensions in the southeast. The government also triggered an outcry a week ago when it indefinitely suspended Twitter in the country, saying the platform was used for activities aiming to destabilise Nigeria. The UN, Nigeria's Western partners and rights groups all condemned the move as a blow to freedom of expression. Saturday's demonstrations were called to coincide with "Democracy Day", marking the anniversary of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola's election as Nigerian president in 1993. Abiola's victory was annulled by the then military government, plunging Nigeria into months of civil unrest. Nigeria returned to civilian rule on May 29, 1999, but Buhari chose June 12 as Democracy Day after becoming president to honour Abiola and other heroes of the struggle.

Police fire tear gas to break up Nigeria protests

Nigerians are desperately hunting for VPNs after a nationwide ban on Twitter. Some have switched to alternatives like India's Koo app. Among the new Koo users is the Nigerian government itself. WION’s Palki Sharma has the report.

Gravitas: Nigeria switches to India's Koo app after Twitter ban

Social media firms wanting to operate in&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;must register a local entity and be licensed, the country's information minister said on Wednesday, the government's latest move since it banned Twitter last week.

"We are insisting that for you to operate in&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;you must first be a&nbsp;Nigerian company and be licensed by the broadcasting commission," said Lai Mohammed,&nbsp;Nigeria's information minister, of social media companies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-removes-and-then-restores-blue-tick-on-vice-prez-naidus-personal-account-389593">Twitter removes and then restores blue tick on Vice Prez Naidu's personal account</a>

The new regulations will include conditions for continued operation, Mohammed said, without elaborating. The move comes amidst what critics say is a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Africa's most populous country that has drawn comparisons to&nbsp;Nigeria's decades of military rule in the 20th century.

Nigeria's government last week said it had suspended Twitter's activities, two days after the platform removed a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari that threatened to punish secessionists.&nbsp;Nigerian telecoms firms have since blocked access to Twitter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980">'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

Buhari is a former military ruler.

Mohammed did not give a deadline for registration and licensing, but said some firms were given notice, without naming the affected companies. He did not respond to calls and a message seeking details.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/twitter-indefinitely-shutdown-in-nigeria-389575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Twitter has consistently made its platform available to those who are threatening&nbsp;Nigeria’s corporate existence," said Mohammed, naming a separatist leader and anti-police brutality protesters.

The minister said Facebook and its subsidiaries Instagram and WhatsApp had not been suspended but did not say whether they would need to register and get a licence.

Social media firms wanting to operate in Nigeria must register a local entity and be licensed, the country's information minister said on Wednesday, the government's latest move since it banned Twitter last week.

Social media firms wanting to operate in Nigeria must register a local entity and be licensed, the country's information minister said on Wednesday, the government's latest move since it banned Twitter last week. "We are insisting that for you to operate in Nigeria you must first be a Nigerian company and be licensed by the broadcasting commission," said Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's information minister, of social media companies. Also read | Twitter removes and then restores blue tick on Vice Prez Naidu's personal account The new regulations will include conditions for continued operation, Mohammed said, without elaborating. The move comes amidst what critics say is a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Africa's most populous country that has drawn comparisons to Nigeria's decades of military rule in the 20th century. Nigeria's government last week said it had suspended Twitter's activities, two days after the platform removed a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari that threatened to punish secessionists. Nigerian telecoms firms have since blocked access to Twitter. Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter Buhari is a former military ruler. Mohammed did not give a deadline for registration and licensing, but said some firms were given notice, without naming the affected companies. He did not respond to calls and a message seeking details. "Twitter has consistently made its platform available to those who are threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence," said Mohammed, naming a separatist leader and anti-police brutality protesters. The minister said Facebook and its subsidiaries Instagram and WhatsApp had not been suspended but did not say whether they would need to register and get a licence.

Nigeria demands social media firms get local licence

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