Sahel Diplomacy: Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani met Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov in Niamey, ahead of Russia-Africa talks, with Lavrov also conveying Putin’s invitation for Sahel leaders to attend the October Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. Security Funding: Northern Nigeria governors launched a Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, naming Gen. Martin Luther Agwai and Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as co-chairmen and pledging ₦1 billion monthly to tackle insecurity. Terror Incident in Niger: An IED struck a routine patrol in Borgu LGA, Niger State, killing a captain and two soldiers, with two others reportedly injured. Kidnapping Crackdown (Nigeria): FCT police arrested six suspects in a “one chance” kidnapping case and recovered about N8.25m ransom paid for a victim abducted in Abuja, with links traced to Niger State. Regional Finance & Trade: ECOWAS development bank EBID approved over $417m for West Africa projects, while NERC reported Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $12.66m for electricity supplied in Q1 2026. Governance/Justice (PDP): A Nigerian court reserved judgment in a PDP leadership dispute over INEC recognition of an interim party leadership faction.