Troops of the Joint Task Force, supported by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed no fewer than 23 bandits who were fleeing Kano State after launching deadly attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas.

The Nigerian Army said the bandits carried out the attacks on Thursday night, with the violence stretching into the early hours of Friday.

Ground troops were able to repel the assaults, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers before pursuing them as they fled toward neighbouring Katsina State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday in Kano, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Zubairu Babatunde, said the fleeing bandits were tracked to Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, following intelligence that they had regrouped in Dan Marke, also in Matazu LGA, to bury some of their members killed during the initial encounter.

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Babatunde noted that the Air Component Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma located the bandits and monitored their movement until their motorcycles converged after crossing a dry riverbed.

“A precision air strike was thereafter conducted, resulting in the neutralisation of at least 23 terrorists, while several others were believed to have sustained injuries,” he said.

He added that the operation, which was supported by aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, also led to the destruction of several weapons and equipment belonging to the bandits.

Babatunde said the Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, commended both the air and ground forces for their courage and professionalism during the operation, describing their performance as exemplary.

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“Their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are commendable,” the commander was quoted as saying.

The Army spokesman noted that the security situation in Kano State remained calm, with troops maintaining robust patrols and continuous monitoring across affected areas.

He added that troop morale and fighting efficiency were “very satisfactory.”

Babatunde also appreciated members of the public for their support in the fight against banditry and terrorism, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

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According to him, the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, “remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to take necessary measures to ensure national security.”

The latest operation adds to recent successes recorded against armed groups in the area. Kano Times had reported on Friday that the Joint Task Force foiled an attempted incursion by bandits into several communities in Shanono Local Government Area after a prolonged gun battle.

The clash, which reportedly began late Thursday night and lasted until the early hours of Friday, occurred in Yankwada, Babanduhu and other neighbouring villages.

Confirming the incident, Babatunde said the attack was a revenge mission following the loss of some bandits to superior military firepower during an earlier encounter last week.

A yet-to-be-identified man suspected to have taken hard drugs on Tuesday night set his own furniture shop ablaze in the Saniko community, Agbarah-Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, our source said set the furniture shop containing modern furniture worth millions of naira ablaze, and chased anyone who attempted to intervene with matchett until he was overpowered by the community youths.

Our source who does not want his name in print narrated via the phone: “It actually happened this night. Nobody knows what fell on him to have set his own shop ablaze, but the belief his that he must have taken some hard drugs.

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“The man should be in his 40s. He set the shop ablaze, and when people attention was drawn to it, they rushed there but he chased them with cutlass. He was chasing people with cutlass until the youth mobilised and overpowered him, and as I speak with you, he has been tied down, naked.

“I don’t know his name, and nobody has identified with him as a relation, but the point is, millions have been lost. All the modern furniture in the shops have turned to ashes. The shop is completely burnt down.”

Contacted on the phone, Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe said the Command was not aware of the incident.

He said: “Inasmuch he set his own shop ablaze, and nobody died, nobody will come to the Police to report it. And since nobody will come to report such an incident to the Police, it’s assumed the Police are not aware.”

The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic death of seven journalists who were confirmed killed in a lone road crash in the Gombe South area of Gombe State on Monday.

The incident occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. They were said to have traveled in solidarity with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, who was getting married.

According to preliminary information from the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, the crash was fatal.

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The Minister described the tragedy as a heartbreaking loss to the media community and the nation, noting that the journalists were committed voices who informed the public with courage, integrity, and professionalism.

“This is a harrowing moment. Nigeria has lost dedicated voices who informed, educated, and stood for truth. Their passing is a heavy blow to us all,” he said.

The Minister extended his condolences to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Gombe State Council, and especially to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the painful loss.

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“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. May Almighty God grant them comfort and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest,” he added.

“We stand in solidarity with the NUJ and the entire media community at this difficult time. We must continue to work together to improve safety measures for those who serve the nation daily,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government stands with the bereaved families and the media community during this moment of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.