Sahara Tragedy: Nearly 50 Nigeriens died of thirst after a truck broke down in the remote northern Sahara while returning from Mali for Eid al-Adha; survivors trekked over 30–50 km to alert authorities near Assamaka, where rescuers found dozens of bodies. Kidnapping Crackdown (Kaduna): Kaduna police rescued three victims held for more than 40 days and arrested five suspected informants after intelligence-led raids; the bandits fled, abandoning captives unharmed. Security Debate (Nigeria): Peter Obi renewed criticism of Nigeria’s insecurity response, targeting Tinubu’s reported approval to recruit 1,000 forest guards for Oyo as “reactive” and lacking a national framework. Regional Security (Niger State): Nigerian and Benin forces repelled a terrorist ambush in Borgu, detonated multiple IEDs, recovered ammunition and motorcycles, and arrested a suspected informant. Energy Push: Algeria has started work on its section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, aiming to supply up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually to Europe. Humanitarian Aid (QRCS): Qatar Red Crescent’s Eid Al-Adha campaign reached 247,344 beneficiaries in Qatar and 13 countries across Asia and Africa, including Niger.