Nigeria

In its first foreign military intervention in nearly a decade, Nigeria sends fighter jets and ground troops to assist Benin government in restoring order.

A government spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, said that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt as of Sunday afternoon, without providing details.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said 303 children and 12 school staff were kidnapped on November 21 by gunmen at St. Mary's Catholic boarding school.

Archbishop Henry Ndakuba said Venerable Edwin Achi, seized with his wife and daughter from their home in Kaduna state on October 28, was murdered after spending about a month in captivity.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs target schools and rural communities, often overwhelming local security forces.

Friday's incident in Niger state was the largest mass kidnapping of school children since the March 2024 abduction of students in northern Kaduna state.

Mass kidnapping at a school in Nigeria sees 315 abducted as the search widens, raising fears of security and increasing attacks on schools.

Here’s what to know about the recent wave of kidnappings and deadly attacks in Nigeria, who is behind them, and how the government is responding to the worsening security crisis.

At least 227 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Nigeria, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria.

"The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary's School," said the Niger State government.