The U.S. embassy in Nigeria says two Americans kidnapped off the country’s coast last month have been freed. The embassy confirmed the release Friday but gave no further details. Two Americans and one Mexican national were seized by armed men November 17 while working on a vessel contracted by U.S.-based oil giant Chevron. The embassy […]
US: 2 Americans Kidnapped Off Nigeria Coast Freed
Nigeria Senate Moves to Ban Same-Sex Marriages
Nigeria’s Senate has voted to outlaw same-sex marriage and public displays of affection by homosexuals. The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan before becoming law. British Prime Minister David Cameron recently threatened to withhold aid from countries that violate the rights of gays and lesbians. However, […]
Former Biafra Leader Ojukwu Dies in Britain
A Nigerian colonel, politician and the leader of the former breakaway Republic of Biafra has died at the age of 78. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu died in a hospital in London after a long fight to regain health following a stroke. The office of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan issued a statement Saturday saying Ojukwu will be […]
Explosions, Gunfire Reported in Northern Nigeria
Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard Saturday near a police station in northeastern Nigeria, which is home to a radical Muslim sect. Officials say that gunmen attacked a police station in the city of Geidam in Nigeria’s Yobe state, near the country’s border with Niger. Witnesses say the attackers also bombed a bank in the […]
At Least 7 Dead in Sectarian Violence in Nigeria
At least seven people have been killed in fighting between Muslim and Christian groups in central Nigeria. The fighting occurred early Thursday in the Barkin Ladi area, near the city of Jos, the scene of many previous sectarian clashes. A security official in Plateau state told VOA (Hausa service) the clashes began when residents began […]
At Least 7 Dead in Sectarian Violence in Nigeria
At least seven people have been killed in fighting between Muslim and Christian groups in central Nigeria. Local sources say the fighting occurred early Thursday in the Barkin Ladi area, near the city of Jos, the scene of many previous sectarian clashes. Officials later imposed a 24-hour curfew on the area. Sectarian fighting has killed […]
Nigerian President Fires Anti-Corruption Chief
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has fired the head of the country’s anti-corruption agency, who had been criticized for incompetence. A government statement Wednesday said Mr. Jonathan has relieved Farida Waziri of her post as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC. Waziri was replaced with Ibrahim Lamorde, who was previously the EFCC’s […]
Nigeria Accuses Politicans of Funding Boko Haram
Nigeria’s intelligence agency says some members of the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram are being funded by local politicians. The State Security Service (SSS) said Monday that its arrest of an alleged Boko Haram spokesman confirmed its view that, in the agency’s words, “some of the Boko Haram extremists have political patronage and sponsorship.” The […]
Nigeria Fines British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Over Prices
Nigeria has levied large fines against air carriers British Airways and Virgin Atlantic for allegedly overcharging passengers for tickets. Officials said Thursday that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has fined British Airways $135 million and Virgin Atlantic $100 million. Nigerian officials accuse the carriers of working together since 2004 to increase fuel surcharges in order […]
Bomb Targets Police Vehicle in Northern Nigeria
Police in northeastern Nigeria say a bomb targeting a police vehicle exploded in the city of Maiduguri as a governor’s motorcade approached from the airport. The blast happened Monday after the governor of Borno state, Kasim Shettima, arrived from the capital, Abuja, where he won a legal challenge to his election. No one claimed responsibility […]