How bandits killed 60 in Niger market

At least 60 people were on Saturday killed in an attack at the Kasuwan Daji Market, Borgu LGA, Niger State.

Sources said terrorists who emerged from the Kainji National Park stormed the market around 4pm, surrounded the market and slaughtered traders and buyers, while kidnapping several others, particularly women and children.

Among the abducted are pupils and students of St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, who were recently rescued by the federal government.

Our correspondent gathered that the community more than 12 hours after the attack, rescuers from neighbouring villages were still recovering corpses from nearby bushes and assisting in mass burials.

Sources confirmed that 43 corpses, including Muslims and Christians, were buried en masse on Sunday, while search and rescue operations continued.

The affected community lies a short distance from Papiri in Agwara LGA, where over 200 pupils and students of St. Mary’s Catholic School were kidnapped on November 21, 2025.

A source said that after the market attack, where at least 30 traders were tied and slaughtered, the terrorists moved through the community, shooting and setting fire to homes, killing more residents.

They also took away foodstuffs and valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market ablaze.

Daily Trust gathered that the attackers operated from around 4pm on Saturday until the early hours of Sunday.

Mr. Marcus Philips Adoka, a resident, said, “Around 5pm on Saturday, we saw heavy smoke from the market. The attack did not stop there—many people were kidnapped and others sustained injuries.

“Victims were first assembled and slaughtered like goats and chickens. We have counted 42 dead bodies so far, including the remains of the reverend father of the community.”

Another resident told Daily Trust that the terrorists moved into the community after attacking the market, locking some residents inside their rooms and setting the buildings on fire.

While some residents estimated the death toll at about 60, others said it could be higher, as many victims fled with gunshot injuries.

Another resident said, “They killed 37 people in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, another five in Kaima village, and abducted many, including children, some of whom are pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School recently rescued.”

The Director of Communications of the Catholic Church, Kontagora Diocese, Rev Father Stephen Kabirat, said, “Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our mission house three days ago. They destroyed some religious items, carted away two motorbikes and took N200,000 in cash.

“They were searching for the priest, but he managed to escape. Instead, they abducted some villagers, including children.”

Appealing to relevant authorities, he said, “As I speak, some of the villages from which the abducted schoolchildren come have been sleeping in the bushes since their return due to the ongoing terrorist activities.”

The Niger State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Obed Nuhu Nana, in a statement, said the terrorists also attacked a police outpost in Shafacci village and a Catholic school in Sukumbara village, carting away two motorcycles and destroying school property.

He explained that following US airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto and Kwara states, Boko Haram terrorists from Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), fearing further attacks, relocated to parts of Kebbi State and Rijau LGA of Niger State.

He said the Government of Niger State was saddened by the tragedy and was working closely with the federal government and security agencies to prevent further attacks, while urging residents to remain vigilant.

The Niger State Police Command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said, “On 03/01/2026 at about 9pm, information received revealed that at approximately 4:30 p.m., suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, located in Demo Village via Kabe. They burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items.

“On 04/01/2026 at about 8 a.m., a joint security team visited the scene and confirmed that over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack. Some individuals were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.”

Recall that in November 2025, following the abduction of pupils and students of St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Haliru Dantoro, called on the federal government to comb the Kainji National Park, where residents had repeatedly alleged that terrorists are hiding.

Previous attacks

Local government areas in Niger North Senatorial District: Borgu, Agwara, Mariga, Rijau, Magama and Mashegu, have experienced renewed attacks since October 2025. Between September 29, 2025, and January 2026, several farmers and travellers were killed or kidnapped, with many still in captivity despite families paying millions in ransom.

Among those held are Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, a former Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); and Barrister Ahmed, a Permanent Commissioner of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC). Both were abducted in broad daylight on September 29, 2025, on the New Bussa–Mokwa road while travelling to Minna.

Saifullah Bawa Niworo, the eldest son of the former SUBEB chairman, told our correspondent that the family paid N30m raised through bank loans and contributions, but that the kidnappers demanded an additional N120m.

Some of the most recent attacks occurred on November 21, 2025, at St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA, where over 200 pupils, students and staff were abducted. They were later rescued by the Office of the National Security Adviser after several weeks in captivity.

Also, in November, terrorists kidnapped travellers on the Wawa–Luma road in Borgu LGA. Two passenger vehicles were intercepted and all occupants abducted, while another vehicle was attacked but the driver escaped. The assailants, riding motorcycles in groups of three, operated across multiple axes, including Kale, Konkoje–Wawa–Kaiama and Wawa–Luma.

On December 23, 2025, terrorists attacked a Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost in Ibrahim Leteh village along the Wawa–Lumma road, destroying the outpost and vandalising patrol vehicles.

Hunt down attackers, Tinubu orders security operatives

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack.

The president urged the security chiefs to ensure the terrorists “are swiftly brought to justice.”

Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesman, said in a statement on Sunday that the president also directed security agencies to urgently rescue all abducted victims.

The president noted that the attackers were suspected to have fled from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ airstrikes on Christmas Eve.

“President Tinubu strongly condemned the attack on the Kasuwan Daji community and the abduction of women and children,” Onanuga said.

The president also sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Niger State.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. Those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form will be caught and brought to justice,” the president said.

President Tinubu assured the people of Niger State that security agencies had been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near forests that served as criminal hideouts.

Northern governors condemn attack

The Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) condemned the attack at Kasuwan Daji, describing it as a cruel assault on innocent citizens and a serious threat to peace and livelihoods.

The forum’s Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, stressed that targeting market women, traders and citizens going about lawful activities was morally reprehensible and struck at the core of communal harmony and regional economic life.

He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they faced justice.

Extending condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of Niger State, Governor Yahaya prayed for the repose of the deceased, strength for the bereaved and the swift rescue of those abducted.

Additional reports by Baba Martins (Abuja) & Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe)

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