A security analyst, Brant Philip, has reported that terrorists captured several Malian soldiers during coordinated attacks on military positions in parts of Mali on Saturday.

Philip, in a series of posts on 𝕏, said the attacks targeted Malian army positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba.

He said the offensive was carried out by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad.

Philip also said there were unverified reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter jet crashed near Gao after it was allegedly hit by anti-aircraft fire close to Anefis.

“Unverified reports that an Su-24 jet of the Russian Africa Corps crashed in Gao after getting hit by AA near Anefis,” he wrote.

“Heavy smoke rising from the Gao Air Base currently,” he added.

The alleged crash had not been independently verified, and there was no official confirmation from Russian or Malian authorities as of the time of filing this report.

According to Philip, the Russian Africa Corps was fighting alongside the Malian military to repel the attacks.

“The Africa Corps reports to be engaged in combat alongside the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive against their positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” he said.

Philip further claimed that additional Malian soldiers were taken prisoner by the FLA in Anefis.

South Africa has rejected Nigeria’s call for compensation for Nigerians whose properties were left behind following their evacuation from the country.

It was reports that the evacuations followed renewed xenophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, had earlier said the Nigerian government had begun compiling records of businesses and properties left behind by returnees.

He said the records would form the basis of discussions with South African authorities on possible compensation.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the possibility of government compensation.

Ntshavheni said legitimate properties were formally registered with authorities, while informal settlements were illegal and unrecognised.

She said, “So there’s no compensation that will come from the government.

“Those who leave their properties, if they are properly legally registered in the country, they can dispose of the properties in the property market in South Africa, whether it’s a movable or immovable property.”

The minister also asked Nigeria to provide information on locations allegedly used for drug-related activities.

“We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are. So they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” Ntshavheni said.

She added, “Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country. So you are already violating our law if you are going to tell us about a shack in some informal settlement.”

Ntshavheni said the South African government had approved measures to prevent informal settlements from being rebuilt after demolitions.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed 198 troops to The Gambia in support of the Economic Community of West African States Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, security and stability.

The deployment was carried out using the NAF’s C-130H transport aircraft, which airlifted personnel of Nigerian Company 11 (NIGCOY 11 ECOMIG) to replace Nigerian Company 10 (NIGCOY 10 ECOMIG) following the completion of its tour of duty.

According to the Air Force, the troop rotation was conducted in two coordinated sorties between May 26 and May 30, 2026, with operational equipment and the personal effects of the deployed personnel also transported to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities.

The successful operation highlights the Nigerian Air Force’s growing strategic airlift capability and its capacity to rapidly project forces beyond Nigeria’s borders in support of peacekeeping and regional security operations.

The service said the deployment further reinforces its role as a reliable air mobility partner for multinational peace support missions within the ECOWAS sub-region, while reflecting sustained investments in operational readiness and strategic airlift capabilities.

It added that the mission underscores Nigeria’s continued commitment to ECOWAS peace initiatives and demonstrates the professionalism and dedication of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria serving in international peace support operations.

Commenting on the deployment, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said strategic air mobility remains a critical component of modern military operations and an effective tool for responding to evolving security challenges.

“Air power delivers its greatest effect when it provides the speed, reach and flexibility to respond wherever national and regional security demands,” he said.

Aneke noted that every successful airlift operation strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to protect its national interests while contributing to peace and stability across West Africa.

“Every successful airlift mission reinforces our commitment to protecting Nigeria’s interests, supporting regional stability and projecting a mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power whenever and wherever required,” the Air Chief added.

The Nigerian Air Force said the successful troop rotation aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s vision of building a highly motivated, professional and combat-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power in joint operations with other security agencies.

It added that the deployment will further enhance Nigeria’s strategic influence, deepen military cooperation among ECOWAS member states and contribute to sustained peace and collective security across the West African region.This version removes promotional language, tightens the structure, improves readability, and presents the information in a balanced, publication-ready news format consistent with professional defence and security reporting.

By PRNigeria

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