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Pope Leo XIV has condemned the recent wave of violent attacks across Nigeria, expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and calling on authorities to act decisively to protect citizens.

“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, leading to a heavy loss of life. I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism,” the pontiff wrote in a post on his X handle, adding that he received news of the attacks with strong concern.

“I likewise hope that the competent Authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen. #PrayTogether.”

The Pope’s statement comes amid a series of deadly attacks in several parts of the country, with Kwara State recording the most devastating incident.

Between February 3 and 4, 2026, armed assailants attacked the villages of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in what has been described by residents as a massacre.

While reports indicate 162 people were killed, local officials and survivors believe the death toll has exceeded 200 as bodies continue to be recovered from surrounding bushland. The police and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, however, confirmed that 75 people were dead from the attack.

In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of additional troops to the area and declared a nationwide security emergency. An army battalion has since been sent to Kaiama under a new military operation aimed at restoring order. Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited Ilorin on February 7 to commiserate with the state government and affected communities.

The killings drew international condemnation. The United Nations, the United States, and Türkiye denounced the violence and called for accountability.

In separate statements, they described it as heinous, with Türkiye pledging military support to Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity.

Amnesty International has, however, criticised the Nigerian government over what it described as serious security lapses, noting that residents had reportedly raised concerns about impending attacks weeks before the massacre.

Meanwhile, other deadly incidents were recorded across the country within the same period. In Katsina State, armed groups killed between 21 and 35 people in Doma village, Tafoki ward, during coordinated house-to-house attacks that reportedly shattered a five-month peace pact between the community and local armed gangs.

In Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen attacked the Abande settlement in Kwande Local Government Area on February 3, killing at least 16 people, including a Mobile Police officer, and looting a local market.

Similarly, in Niger State, gunmen launched an attack on communities in Agwara and Mashegu local government areas on February 1, setting a police station ablaze and abducting several residents.

The latest attacks have renewed concerns over the country’s security challenges, with growing calls for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and more decisive action against armed groups.

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South Africa has announced that it will withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a decision that reflects a strategic reassessment of the country’s military commitments abroad.

Officials confirmed that the withdrawal will be carried out as part of a broader review of Pretoria’s role in international peace operations, with an emphasis on ensuring that the country’s foreign deployments align with national priorities and regional security needs.

South African forces have been part of the UN mission in the DRC, which aims to stabilize the region, protect civilians, and support the Congolese government in maintaining peace. The decision to pull out highlights the evolving security dynamics in central Africa and the challenges faced by contributing nations in balancing international obligations with domestic considerations.

While details regarding the exact timeline and scale of the troop withdrawal have not been fully disclosed, authorities have emphasized that South Africa remains committed to supporting regional peace and stability through diplomatic channels and other collaborative initiatives.

Analysts note that the withdrawal may have implications for the operational capacity of the UN mission in the DRC, though it is expected that remaining international contingents will continue to work towards sustaining peace efforts in the conflict-affected areas.

The announcement has sparked discussions across African political and security circles about the future of peacekeeping in the DRC and the role of member states in ensuring the success of multinational missions aimed at reducing conflict and promoting stability in the region.

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Sarah Mullally has been confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury — three months after her historic appointment as the first woman to occupy the position since the establishment of the Church of England nearly 1,400 years ago.

She was formally confirmed as the new leader in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Mullally’s appointment was confirmed during a ceremony at St Paul Cathedral in London on Wednesday, BBC reported.

She is the first woman to take on the role in the Church of England’s near 500-year history.

She described the appointment as “an extraordinary and humbling privilege”.

“With God’s help, I will seek to guide Christ’s flock with calmness, consistency and compassion,” the new archbishop said, stressing the need for such leadership in these “times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world,” she said.

Mullally’s confirmation service featured global renditions in what was seen as a unifying act for the church’s mixed congregation.

Hymns were sung by the St Paul’s Cathedral choir; a Xhosa South African chant was rendered; and while a student delivered a reading in both English and Portuguese, the majority spoken language in the Anglican provinces of Mozambique and Angola, with which the diocese of London has a pastoral link.

The church had been without a leader for almost a year after Justin Welby resigned over his failure to report a prolific child abuser.

Mullally was announced as Welby’s replacement last October.

The new archbishop previously worked as a nurse in London hospitals, rising to the position of chief nursing officer for England and director of patient experience in the national health service.

She is now the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Her installation is scheduled for March.

Mullaly grew up in Woking, Surrey, and became a priest in 2006.

While, technically, the position of the church’s head (Supreme Governor) is vested in the British monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.