Today in Africa — January 21, 2026: 62 Nigerian Hostages Rescued, Hilda Baci Snags Third Guinness World Record

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

Nigerian Troops Rescue 62 Hostages as Police Confirm Kaduna Church Abductions

Nigerian troops have rescued 62 hostages and killed two militants in separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states, the army says, as security forces step up efforts against armed gangs in the country’s northwest. The military said troops raided a bandit hideout in Zamfara, freeing all captives, while a separate ambush near the Kebbi–Sokoto border targeted Lakurawa militants. The operations come amid a surge in mass kidnappings across the region, where armed groups operating from forest camps have attacked villages, schools, and places of worship.

The developments follow a reversal by police in Kaduna state, who have now confirmed that worshippers were abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali village on Sunday, January 18, after initially denying the incident. Police say earlier statements were misinterpreted and that investigations later confirmed the kidnappings, though no official number was given. Residents say more than 160 people were taken, with some later escaping, claims supported by a list seen by the BBC but not independently verified. Amnesty International criticized authorities for what it called a “desperate denial” of the attack, as Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity fueled by kidnappings for ransom, militant violence, and weak policing capacity.

Hilda Baci Sets Third Guinness World Record With Massive Rice Serving

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has earned her third Guinness World Records title after Guinness confirmed that her September 2025 jollof rice cook also qualified as the world’s largest serving of rice. The record was set in Victoria Island, Lagos, where Baci and food brand Gino prepared 8,780 kilograms of rice. While the attempt was initially recognized for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, Guinness later confirmed it met the criteria for both records.

Baci shared the update yesterday, Tuesday, January 20, saying the confirmation was unexpected and emotional. Guinness World Records credited the achievement to Baci and Gino, noting the same serving qualified for the overall rice category. The recognition adds to Baci’s earlier records, including her 2023 title for the longest individual cooking marathon, bringing her total Guinness World Records count to three.

Senegal’s AFCON Champions Awarded Cash and Land Bonuses Amid Debt Strain

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has awarded each member of the national football team a bonus of 75 million CFA francs (about $135,000) and a 1,500-square-meter plot of coastal land after their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final win over Morocco. The announcement came during a celebratory ceremony in Dakar, where thousands of fans welcomed the Lions of Teranga home following their 1–0 extra-time victory on Sunday, January 18. Senegal sealed the title after a dramatic final that included a late walk-off protest over a VAR-awarded penalty, which Morocco missed before Pape Gueye scored the winner early in extra time.

The rewards extend beyond the players, with football federation officials, the Senegalese delegation to Morocco, and sports ministry staff also set to receive cash bonuses and land. The pledges come as Senegal faces mounting financial pressure, with the IMF saying public debt reached 132 percent of GDP at the end of 2024, prompting the suspension of a $1.8 billion lending program. Despite the strain, Faye praised the team for uniting the country, marking Senegal’s second AFCON title after its first win in 2021, when players received smaller bonuses and land allocations.

Ethiopian Drone Strike Kills Dozens of Pro-Government Fighters in Amhara

An Ethiopian army drone strike mistakenly killed more than 40 pro-government fighters in the insurgency-hit Amhara region on January 15, a nurse and a local official told news agency AFP. The strike hit a camp in Waghemira housing members of the Fano militia, which has backed the government against insurgents since fighting erupted in April 2023 after authorities moved to disarm local groups. A local official said the military later acknowledged the strike was an error, despite the drone hovering over the site before firing. An army spokesperson says they had not received information about the incident. The deaths add to a growing toll from drone warfare in Ethiopia, where conflict monitor ACLED says at least 669 people have been killed in more than 70 drone strikes in Amhara since 2023.

Sudan’s Military Reviews New Ceasefire Plan as Drone Strikes Hit Central City

Sudan’s army is considering a new humanitarian truce and ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators from the United States and Saudi Arabia, as the nearly three-year war with the Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate the country. A source reports that the Security and Defense Council was meeting today, Wednesday, January 21, to review the plan, amid renewed diplomatic pressure under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. 

Previous talks led by the U.S., Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have failed, with negotiations stalling after army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused the group of favoring the UAE, which Sudan has accused of backing the RSF — a claim Abu Dhabi denies. The RSF has not publicly responded, while the UN says the conflict has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced at least 11 million. The review comes as drone strikes intensify in and around al-Obeid, the army-held capital of North Kordofan, with residents reporting mass civilian casualties and satellite imagery showing new burial sites and damage to key infrastructure. The UN says more than 100 civilians were killed across Kordofan in December alone, underscoring the scale of Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

Republic of Congo Sets March 15 Presidential Election

The Republic of Congo will hold its next presidential election on March 15, government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla announced, in line with constitutional timelines ahead of the end of the current term in April. The ruling Congolese Labour Party has already nominated incumbent President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who has been in power for most of the period since 1979 and returned to office in 1997 after a civil war. The electoral authority has yet to open candidate submissions, but other potential contenders include former rebel leader Frédéric Bintsamou, known as Pastor Ntumi, and Dave Mafoula. Sassou-Nguesso’s long rule includes a 2015 constitutional change that removed term limits, and his inner circle has also been linked to a long-running French investigation into the alleged laundering of public funds in the so-called “ill-gotten gains” case.