Security Crackdown: Niger State Police arrested 27 suspects in Minna during raids on criminal hideouts, including 10 alleged illegal miners who confessed they travelled from Yobe to Minna; police also seized weapons and drugs. Armed Forces Policy: Nigeria’s defence minister warned troops not to wait for orders before shooting bandits or terrorists, saying anyone who refuses will be treated as a bandit. Regional Military Ties: Russia and the Sahel’s AES alliance (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso) pledged deeper military cooperation, with Russia saying it will keep supporting AES forces. Local Crime: Niger State Police arrested five suspects over theft of 17 goats in Mokwa, with investigations ongoing. Governance & Inclusion: FCT natives condemned their exclusion from the Northern Security Trust Fund Board, calling it discriminatory. Weather Watch: NiMet forecast rain, thunderstorms and possible localized flooding across Nigeria, including Niger and the North Central region. Public Health: A Lancet study estimates 8.8 million children in sub-Saharan Africa live with sickle cell disease, with Niger listed among major contributors.