Buhari orders air strikes against bandits

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered air strikes against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers in Niger state.

On Saturday gunmen killed 11 people and kidnapped four women during door-to-door attacks, reported Sahara Reporters and The Daily Sun.

President Buhari described the repeated attacks by the bandits "as a disaster".

President Buhari said the air raids "remain the best approach given the lack of motorised roads in the areas constantly under attack".

The air strikes will support troops already deployed on the ground.

The Nigerian air force is already setting up refuelling facilities at Minna, the state's capital, to support the operations.

Earlier this month gunmen killed six people, injured five and kidnapped others in the neighbouring Kaduna state.

Pres. @MBuhari has authorized deployment of @NigAirForce to support troops & policemen deployed to fight bandits, kidnappers & cattle rustlers in the forest area bordering Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara to fight bandits. NAF will in line with this set up refueling facilities in Minna.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) January 26, 2020