By Ade Iyamoye 

Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow over the latest wave of deadly attacks in Nigeria, which he said has resulted in heavy loss of lives across several communities.

The Pope made the appeal on Sunday after the Angelus prayer, where he also called for prayers for the country and urged Nigerian 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,” the Pope said. “I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism.”

He added that he hoped “the competent Authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”

Reports said at least 160 people were killed on February 3 in Woro village in Nigeria’s central-west region.

In Kaduna State, security sources also reported a fresh round of attacks over the past three days, during which six people were killed and at least 51 abducted in four villages in the southern part of the state.

The attacks reportedly affected a predominantly Christian area where more than 180 people were abducted in January, before being released in recent days.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that armed men abducted 11 persons, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Church, Karku, in Kajuru Local Government Area.

The archdiocese said the attack occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday at the priest’s residence and also led to the death of three persons.

The Pope’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, including attacks linked to jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and raids by armed gangs.

In response, the Federal Government has deployed an army battalion to the Kaiama district on the orders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV also prayed for victims of human trafficking and for those affected by floods and landslides in parts of Spain, Morocco, Portugal and Sicily.

By Huldah Shado

Turkey and Nigeria have signed a defence cooperation agreement to strengthen military and security ties between both countries.

The pact was signed on Tuesday in Ankara, with Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, representing the Federal Government.

The agreement covers collaboration in military training, defence technology, intelligence sharing, capacity building and counterterrorism, aimed at tackling transnational security threats.

General Musa described the agreement as timely, noting that it would support Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its Armed Forces and enhance operational effectiveness through strategic partnerships.

Turkish defence officials described Nigeria as a key African partner and said the pact would deepen bilateral relations and expand defence cooperation.

The agreement forms part of Nigeria’s wider engagement with international partners to address insurgency, banditry and organised crime, with implementation expected to begin in the coming months.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after a week-long diplomatic and economic mission to Guinea-Conakry and Switzerland.

Shettima arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of Guinea’s President, Mamadi Doumbouya.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Vice President also led Nigeria’s delegation to the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where he engaged global leaders on Nigeria’s economic priorities under the Renewed Hope agenda.

A key highlight of the trip was the commissioning of Nigeria House, the country’s first sovereign pavilion on the Davos Promenade, designed to attract investment in solid minerals, agriculture and the digital economy.

Shettima also participated in discussions on the Accra Reset Initiative alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Finance Minister Wale Edun, advocating African industrialisation driven by domestic capital.