President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered troops to launch airstrikes on bandits who have been terrorising communities in Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara states. The President’s order followed assurances that the harmattan haze, which previously hampered military air operations, is gradually clearing out. According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the military air operation against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers that have been attacking remote communities around Dogon Gona forest in Niger State will commence this week. The President, who described the repeated attacks leading to loss of several lives…

Armed bandits were again on rampage in some Niger communities on Saturday, killing 11 people, kidnapping scores of others, and raping women. The incident took place about 6am at Kudodo, Galapai, Dnakpala, Makera, and Dnalgwa villages of Shiroro Local Government Area. Senator for Niger East Senatorial District, Mr Sani Musa, sent an urgent appeal for intervention to federal government to halt the carnage. The distress message in the aftermath of the attacks was the second by the lawmaker in one week following similar assaults by gunmen. Saturday’s invasion was said to have been carried out by about 50 armed bandits…

Some passengers came under gun attack around Rigasa train station in Kaduna state on Friday. A security source told TheCable that the incident happened shortly after travellers from the nation’s capital arrived in Kaduna. The source said the passengers were making plans to connect various destinations within the state when the gunmen struck. “When the 6:30pm train from Abuja arrived Kaduna around 8pm, the passengers disembarked. Some of them proceeded to their destinations but those who tried to connect the town through the Rigasa-Airport road came under gunfire from suspected bandits,” the source said. He added that some motorists abandoned…

Three armed robbers on Wednesday invaded an MTN office in Tudun Wada area of Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State. Police spokesperson in the state, Mr Nafi’u Abubakar, confirmed the incident to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday. “Yes, the robbery took place and investigation has since begun,” he said. Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Dasuki, MTN Manager in the state, said the robbers stormed the shop around 2.p.m. on Wednesday and took away about N4.5 million. “The armed robbers carried out the operation in less than five minutes when they stormed our office at around 2 p.m. and carted away nothing less…