At least 22 people are feared dead after suspected bandits attacked traders travelling under the escort of Nigerian Army troops in Zamfara State.

According to report, the attack happened early on Sunday as the traders travelled from Gurusu to Gwashi in Bukkuyum Local Government Area to attend the weekly market in Gwashi.

A resident, Malam Aminu Gwashi, who confirmed the incident, said several people, including security personnel, were reportedly killed in the attack.

He added that many others were injured and taken to Bukkuyum General Hospital for treatment.

The communities of Gwashi and Bukkuyum have suffered repeated attacks by bandits in recent times. The attacks have disrupted trading and other economic activities in the area.

Former Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned the United States against slipping into isolationism in its engagement with Africa, insisting that Nigeria remains a must-have strategic partner in the evolving global order.

Fayemi maintained this position in Lagos while speaking as a panelist at the Nigeria Moment, a Nigeria–United States Strategic Dialogue organised by the American Business Council in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation.

In his presentation, which focused on why Nigeria is a must-have partner in the changing world order, Fayemi,former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) stressed the need for a more holistic relationship between both countries grounded in transparency, mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

He insisted that Nigeria must be treated as a strategic partner in the emerging world order.

“While welcoming the growing American interest in Nigeria’s vast mineral endowment, Fayemi warned that the partnership must go beyond resource extraction.

“Nigeria must be engaged as a strategic actor and a co-creator in shaping the future of global energy and resource governance, rather than as a testing ground for experiments. A partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests and long-term cooperation offers the strongest foundation for an enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United States,” Fayemi said.

Describing the engagement as a pleasure, Fayemi said the dialogue brought together a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers to reflect on the future of Nigeria-US relations.

He commended the convener of the dialogue, Mr Ayo Otuyalo,for an excellent convening and for bringing together such high-level participants for the important strategic conversation.

The conference featured Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as keynote speaker, alongside senior representatives of the Federal Government, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Power,

Also st the event were : Engr Joseph Tegbe; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, represented by Engr Simon Nkom; and the Head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyinwa Eyesan among others.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said a thorough investigation is ongoing into the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State, following allegations by the brother of a deceased female sergeant that the aircraft had developed a mechanical fault before the fatal flight.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, gave the response to a publication on Sunday.

The bereaved man had accused the military of downplaying the circumstances surrounding the crash, alleging that his sister told him the aircraft had developed a technical problem and stopped in Benin City, Edo State, for repairs before proceeding with its journey.

Responding to the allegations, report quoted Ejodame as saying that the issues raised would form part of the ongoing investigation.

“A thorough investigation into the accident is ongoing. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the issues raised, will be examined as part of the investigative process,” he said in the report.

He added, “Further information will be communicated as appropriate, while conclusions on the circumstances and causes of the accident will be guided by the findings of the investigation.”

The Air Force did not directly confirm or deny the specific allegation that the aircraft had developed a mechanical fault before departing Benin City , the report also mentioned.

In the report published earlier , the deceased sergeant’s brother was quoted as saying that his sister had informed him of the aircraft’s technical problems shortly before the crash.

In a video circulating on social media, the man said his sister had told him that the aircraft had stopped in Benin City after travelling from Abuja, with personnel waiting for the reported fault to be addressed before continuing their journey.

He alleged that his sister had asked him to send her money while she was in Benin City and that the aircraft departed shortly after he transferred the money to her.

“I have evidence that this aircraft was coming all the way from Abuja. It stopped in Benin on Sunday night so that it can be fixed,” he said.

“And it was unfixable because my sister told me on that call that she does not know what was wrong with this aircraft. I should just send her money, and I sent her money immediately.”

The man questioned why the aircraft was allowed to continue its journey if the reported technical problem had not been adequately resolved.

“Who gave that command for them to manage the aircraft to Lagos?” he asked.

He also accused the military of attempting to manage public perception of the incident and demanded greater transparency over the circumstances that led to the crash.