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ECOWAS Confirms Exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Allows Free Movement

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally acknowledged the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc, effective Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Despite their exit, ECOWAS has directed member states to continue allowing free movement for citizens of the three countries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commission, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity, emphasizing that its doors remain open in the interest of the people.

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Member states have been instructed to continue recognizing national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo for citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger until further notice. Additionally, trade and investment relations with the three countries will proceed under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

This decision reflects ECOWAS’s intent to maintain economic and social ties despite the political shift, ensuring minimal disruption for the region’s citizens and businesses.

The statement reads in part: “Allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice”.
The Commission further urged members to continue providing full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” the statement clarified.
The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries.
It said the statement was necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of the people during this transition period.
Citizens of the three countries took to the street on Tuesday to celebrate their exit from ECOWAS which they have accused of protecting the interest of France.
The three countries have since established their own body named the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) and are set to launch their own uniform passport.

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Troops rescue 34 abductees, nab ISWAP informant, recover arms

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have, in the last 24 hours, rescued 34 kidnap victims, apprehended suspected ISWAP informants and recovered arms and ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

The report said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims from terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the rescue followed a swift response after troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP/JAS terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through CCTV surveillance.

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According to the report, troops immediately deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon the victims and flee, with one motorcycle left behind.

“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.

“The terrorists reportedly fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and illicit drugs recovered during exploitation of the area.

“Also, troops of 232 Battalion Tactical apprehended a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it said.

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In the North-West, the report revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists moving with rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It added that the troops’ superior firepower forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray during the encounter.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.

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“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.

“The assailants had fled before the troops arrived, while the deceased and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family,” it added.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo on May 4.

It added that the operation, conducted in Delta and Imo states, followed intelligence obtained from earlier arrested suspects.

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According to the report, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military items from terrorist camps.

“The recovered weapons included rifles earlier carted away during the May ambush on troops, while further exploitation led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition,” it said.

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Joint military task force rescue kidnapped Lt Col, civilian after 10-day search operation

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A joint military task force has rescued a senior Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, after an intensive 10-day search-and-rescue operation across forests and communities in Enugu State.

This was contained in a military operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Abuja.

The breakthrough came in the early hours of Saturday following sustained operations by troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA (OPUK).

The search mission involved personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Rear), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NN SBS), and the 197 Special Forces Battalion, operating under the leadership of the Commander, 82 Division Garrison, with support from the Air Component.

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According to the report, between 6:00 p.m. on July 31 and 6:00 a.m. on August 1, the joint troops continued search operations using actionable intelligence across Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests and adjoining communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.News

At about 2:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Inyi Division alerted the troops to the suspected location of the kidnapped victims.

The troops immediately mobilised and launched a fighting patrol into the area, where they discovered Lt. Col. Amobi and Mr. Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest. The civilian was found with a gunshot wound.

The victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to Inyi before being moved to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for medical treatment and comprehensive evaluation.

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During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been blindfolded shortly after their abduction and transported to an unknown location.

They said they were later abandoned in a forest around the Enugu–Anambra border as the kidnappers came under sustained operational pressure.

The military attributed the successful rescue to the relentless pressure mounted by the joint force, supported by the Air Component, which maintained continuous dominance of the suspected hideouts and denied the abductors freedom of movement throughout the 10-day operation.

The sustained search-and-rescue mission ultimately forced the kidnappers to abandon the captives and flee.

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Further investigations and follow-up operations are ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

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JUST IN: Fire engulfs Lagos airport’s Terminal 2

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Fire has engulfed Lagos airport’s Terminal 2.

FAAN said its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) had been deployed to contain the fire.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the public that a fire incident has occurred at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” the statement read.

“The FAAN Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) is currently responding to the incident and working diligently to contain the situation.”

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FAAN said there were no reported casualties or loss of life.

“There have been no reported casualties or loss of life,” the authority stated.

It added that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.

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