34 people have been killed in an air raid in the Northern state of Kaduna, as reported by the Nigerian military.
This is as Armed gangs, locally known as bandits, have stepped up attacks in recent months, carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom.
In one of their most audacious attacks yet, bandits armed with explosives and guns ambushed a busy passenger train earlier this week that was travelling between the capital, Abuja, and the city of Kaduna.
At the same time, Military aircraft are set to escort passenger trains along the vital rail link between Nigeria’s capital city Abuja, and the northern city of Kaduna.
The announcement by Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi comes after a packed train with commuters was attacked by gunmen on the high-speed line on Monday.
At least eight passengers were killed and several others taken hostage for ransom.
Mr. Amaechi said once repair work on the 190km (120-mile) track was completed, the service would resume with aerial security.
This is seen by some as a desperate move by the government, which has been struggling to tackle armed gangs who run huge money-making kidnapping operations.