Sahel Humanitarian Strain: Drought, conflict and displacement are pushing malnutrition risks higher in Niger’s Maradi and Nigeria’s Katsina, while violence in the Lake Chad Basin has driven about 360,000 refugees into Niger. Child Protection: Save the Children warns that with schools closed for two years across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, children are at greater risk of recruitment by armed groups. Extremist Attacks: Suspected Islamic State fighters reportedly killed 38 Nigerien soldiers in two assaults, including an attack near N’Guigmi in Diffa. Security Cooperation: Niger has received six Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones to boost surveillance and precision strikes against jihadist groups around the tri-border and Lake Chad axis. Health Coverage: Niger State launched free health insurance enrolment for nursing mothers and babies during World Breastfeeding Week. Human Trafficking: NAPTIP says it rescued 22 Nigerian teenagers from trafficking routes to Libya, intercepted in Niger Republic. ECOWAS Insecurity Talks: ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed commitment to fight insecurity, with Niger’s President Bazoum among those meeting in Abuja. Local Governance Debate: In Nigeria, APC chieftain Jonathan Vatsa urged Tinubu to stop sending “excess money” to governors, arguing it fuels underdevelopment.