NIGER STATE, Nigeria — January 4, 2026: At least 30–42 people have been killed and scores of others abducted in a series of coordinated armed attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits in Niger State, authorities and local sources confirm. The violence took place primarily in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas, with Kasuwan-Daji market in Demo village emerging as a major flashpoint.
Market Raid and Killings
The Niger State Police Command said armed men, believed to be bandits, stormed the Kasuwan-Daji market on Saturday afternoon (around 4:30 p.m.), opening fire on traders and villagers, burning stalls, looting shops, and carting away food supplies before disappearing into nearby bushland.
Police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that the attack left more than 30 people dead, while local accounts and some reports put the death toll at around 42, including fatalities in neighboring Kaima village as part of a broader pattern of assaults.
Eyewitnesses described gunmen on motorcycles firing indiscriminately, forcing terrified residents to flee. Some victims were reportedly tied and slaughtered, according to community sources.
Abductions and Vulnerable Victims
In addition to the killings, dozens of residents were abducted, with some sources indicating that children and pupils may be among the captives. Communities such as Papiri in Agwarra LGA have been repeatedly targeted in recent months, including a large school kidnapping in November 2025, from which many students were later freed.
Security Response and Presidential Orders
In response to the violence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement directing the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and Director-General of the DSS to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He also mandated an urgent rescue effort for the abducted victims.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people,” the President said, warning that those responsible and their accomplices would be held accountable. Security agencies have been instructed to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, especially near forest hideouts often exploited by armed groups.
Government Condemnation and Local Impact
State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago condemned the attacks and said a joint security team was pursuing the gunmen, with federal and state forces coordinating to improve security in the affected areas. Residents have expressed deep distress, with many fleeing into surrounding bushlands for safety.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation described the massacre as tragic and urged Nigerians to stand united against violence, noting that the victims came from diverse backgrounds and that the attacks should not be exploited to create religious or ethnic tension.
Broader Security Context
The assault in Niger State is part of a wider pattern of insecurity affecting rural communities across northern and central Nigeria, where armed gangs and suspected terrorists frequently exploit weak law enforcement presence. The Kainji Lake National Park forests and surrounding bush areas have become recurring launch points for such raids.
The situation remains fluid, with security agencies continuing efforts to secure the release of abducted residents and prevent further attacks. Further updates are expected as investigations and rescue operations unfold.
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