Bandits have attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing no fewer than eight farmers and leaving at least five others with gunshot injuries.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, sent residents into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the community around 3:00 p.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent.

Rufai said the command was aware of the attack, adding that details of the incident were being gathered.

According to him,” Yes, we are aware of the attack, 8 farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it,” Rafai added

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits opened fire on farmers in the community.

According to the source, “The bandits came around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting at people. No fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot injuries. ”The source alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security agencies during recent operations in the area.

He said, “We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days.”

The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who have continued to face threats from armed groups operating in parts of the state.(PUNCH)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security and intelligence agencies to launch an immediate, coordinated operation to rescue more than 60 worshippers abducted during deadly attacks on mosques in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The directive followed Friday’s simultaneous attacks on four communities, Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana, where gunmen reportedly invaded mosques during Juma’at prayers, killing close to 30 worshippers and abducting scores of others.

Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, confirmed that about 30 people were killed and said the bodies had been recovered and buried according to Islamic rites. He added that the number of abducted persons was slightly above 60.

The attackers reportedly rounded up worshippers and marched them into nearby forests. Women, children and elderly persons were among those taken, while several residents fled into the bush to escape the assault.

The assailants also reportedly set houses ablaze, including the residence of the District Head of Dekara, Abubakar Umar. The village Head of Ka’ada and the 90-year-old father of the Dekara District Head were also said to have been abducted.

Reacting to the incident, President Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and expressed outrage over the killing and abduction of innocent Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the attackers as “enemies of peace and enemies of humanity” and vowed that they would not escape justice.

“You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you,” Tinubu said.

The President directed the Service Chiefs to provide him with regular briefings on the rescue operation until every abducted victim is accounted for.

He also assured the people of Niger State that the Federal Government would provide the state government with all necessary support for recovery, relief and security reinforcement.

“Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life,” he declared.

Security forces have since moved into the affected areas to restore calm and track the attackers, while residents have continued to relocate to safer locations, including New Bussa and, in some cases, across the border into the Benin Republic.

The latest attacks have heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in the area, with local sources saying some communities had already begun emptying out after terrorists reportedly threatened to kill residents who refused to leave.

The President’s directive signals a renewed federal response as security agencies

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued at least 48 abducted persons, neutralised several terrorists and arrested suspected criminals across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026, as troops intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.

According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations recorded successes across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued three kidnapped victims from Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, while five others escaped their captors and reunited with their families.

Troops also rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis and recovered weapons, including an abandoned AK-47 rifle.

The military said 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops in Borno State between August 16 and 20. Six terrorist fighters also surrendered during the period, with the military attributing the defections to hunger, insecurity and internal factional clashes within terrorist enclaves.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 28 abducted victims across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states. Several terrorists were also neutralised, while troops arrested suspects linked to kidnapping and the movement of explosives and supplies to terrorist groups.

The military said one suspect was arrested while transporting 180 units of explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zamfara State, allegedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State. Further operations led to the arrest of suspected terrorist informants and collaborators.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State. Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers and terrorists in Nasarawa and Benue states and arrested suspected arms traffickers and kidnappers.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State recovered firearms and ammunition during operations following an attack on Mwar community in Mangu Local Government Area.
In Kwara State, Operation Savannah Shield troops rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in bushes around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area and neutralised a terrorist in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest from a suspect in Delta State.
The military also reported the disruption of three illegal refining sites in Rivers State, where about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered from dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.

In the South East, Operation Udo Ka troops dismantled illegal bunkering operations, arrested suspected criminal elements and recovered firearms and ammunition. Troops also discovered and safely disarmed multiple improvised explosive devices in Imo State and cleared 11 IEDs during operations in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The military said its operations were complemented by civil-military cooperation initiatives. During the week under review, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, to improve access to potable water.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their operational successes and expressed sympathy to families of civilians killed during the operations. He also wished injured security personnel a speedy recovery.

Oluyede further urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing security agencies with useful information, while assuring citizens that the military would sustain its operations until peace and stability are restored across the country.