The Armed Forces of Nigeria yesterday intensified nationwide offensives against armed groups, recording major gains in Niger and Kogi states, while firmly denying allegations that civilians were killed during recent aerial bombardments in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Defence Headquarters said air interdiction operations carried out by the Nigerian Army UAV Command between late Saturday and early Sunday targeted identified bandit enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages following intelligence reports of a large gathering of armed bandits at Lukupe Village.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed that about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu alone, while surviving fighters were seen evacuating corpses for burial.

According to the military, over 200 armed bandits mounted on motorcycles had also been sighted moving towards Zango, with another group reportedly converging near Kopa and Mongoro, allegedly plotting attacks on nearby communities and security formations before the strikes disrupted their movements.

The Defence Headquarters dismissed viral reports alleging civilian casualties in the operation, insisting that the strikes were “precise on target” and based on credible intelligence confirming terrorist presence in the affected locations.

Onoja maintained that residents of nearby communities had relocated to Sarkin Pawa before the operation commenced, adding that post-strike intelligence indicated movements observed after the bombardment were those of fleeing criminal elements rather than civilians.

He, however, said military authorities had directed relevant formations to verify any claims of civilian casualties, while urging the media and the public to avoid circulating unverified reports capable of undermining ongoing military operations.

Meanwhile, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Operation TIGER PAW II, neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated ambush at bandit crossing points in the Adankolo Forest Reserve in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Army spokesman, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said troops acting on credible intelligence engaged suspected terrorists in a fierce gun battle in the early hours of Sunday, killing one suspect while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles, a fabricated pistol, six magazines, 145 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a camouflage bandolier, a Honda motorcycle, mobile phones, power banks, medication and cash.

The Army said troops were combing surrounding forests to apprehend fleeing members of the gang.

The latest operations came barely 24 hours after troops of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly killed more than 50 suspected ISWAP fighters during a coordinated assault on the 27 Brigade Headquarters in Buni Gari, Yobe State, underscoring renewed military offensives against insurgents and bandits across the country.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate, Ali al-Zaidi, during which Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue within the framework of international law.

Pezeshkian said that “our problem is that on the one hand, the United States is pursuing a policy of maximum pressure against our country, and on the other hand, it expects Iran to come to the negotiating table.

It expects ultimately that Iran surrendered to its unilateral demands, such an equation is impossible,” a statement published by Pezeshkian’s office read.

He noted that Iran fundamentally does not consider war and insecurity to be favorable options but would not acquiesce to force.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran must not deprive itself of nuclear technology, saying the United States speaks in a way as if Iran must not have a nuclear industry, and imposed extra pressure on the country by putting forward excessive demands.

He added that in all previous negotiations, Iran was fully ready to provide within the framework of international regulations and global monitoring whatever deemed necessary under international norms to ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

Al-Zaidi, for his part, voiced Iraq’s readiness to mediate between Iran and the United States to contain regional crises, read a statement from Al-Zaidi’s media office.

According to the Iraqi statement, the two sides also agreed to exchange official visits in the coming period to strengthen bilateral ties.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders and civilians.

Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

A ceasefire was reached between the warring sides on April 8, followed by peace talks in Pakistan’s Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended without an agreement.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorms from Wednesday to Friday across the country.

‎NiMet’s weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, envisaged sunny skies over the northern region during the morning period on Wednesday.

According to the agency, there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba and Adamawa later in the day.

‎”For the central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the region with prospects of thunderstorms with light rains in over parts of the Benue and Kogi during the morning period.

‎”There are prospects of isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi during the afternoon and evening period.

‎”For the southern region, cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom during the morning hours,” it said.

‎It anticipated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom later in the day.

‎NiMet predicted sunny skies over the northern region on Thursday with prospects of isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba State during the morning period.

According to it, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the central region with prospects of thunderstorms and light rains over parts of the Benue during the morning period.

‎It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Benue and Kogi during the afternoon or evening period.

‎”For the southern region, a cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with the chances of isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom during the morning hours.

”Later in the afternoon/evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Lagos, Imo, Enugu, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Ogun, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom ,” it said.

‎The agency anticipated sunny skies over the northern region on Friday throughout the forecast period.

‎NiMet forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds over the central region with the chances of isolated thunderstorms with light rains over Kogi and Benue later in the day.

‎It envisaged cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with the chances of isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains over parts of Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom during the morning hours.

‎NiMet predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

‎”Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,”