Twelve people were killed and ten others injured following an armed assault on two public transport buses along the Arlit-Agadez road in eastern Niger. The Governor of the Agadez region, General Ibrahim Boulama Issa, confirmed the casualties, which included women and children, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Authorities suspect the incident is linked to criminal syndicates vying for control over gold transport routes. A regional security council meeting was held to address the threats to transport operators and improve safety regulations. Meanwhile, the Nigerien army has ramped up counter-terrorism operations, successfully eliminating militants and dismantling criminal networks across various regions of the country.