Good morning! Start your week with SOFREP’s morning brief, bringing you the latest updates on defense and global affairs for Monday, May 26, 2025. Here are your morning headlines at a glance: Gang attacks killed nearly 30 in Nigeria. Israeli airstrikes killed 22 in Gaza as fighting intensifies. The US is shifting its Africa strategy to push allies to handle more security, while its military at home spent $6B to fix recruiting, with most branches hitting their targets. Russia launched its biggest air assault on Ukraine while swapping 1,000+ prisoners. North Korea arrested officials over a failed warship launch.

 

Suspected Gang Attacks Kill Nearly 30 in Northeast Nigeria

Armed gangs killed nearly 30 people in two suspected attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Taraba state early Saturday, according to local officials and residents.

Governor Agbu Kefas confirmed the violence in Karim Lamido district, stating “scores” were killed and property destroyed, though he did not provide an exact toll.

Residents of Magani and Munga villages reported at least 29 deaths, with bodies found scattered across both communities following the midnight assaults. Witnesses described hearing gunfire before discovering the aftermath.