Gunmen
A wave of terror swept through Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, on Saturday as suspected bandits launched a deadly assault that left scores feared dead, dozens abducted, and the bustling market reduced to ashes.
The attackers reportedly stormed the market at about 4pm, opening fire indiscriminately and throwing traders and residents into chaos.
By the time the operation ended in the early hours of Sunday, at least 30 people — including women — had been confirmed killed, while many others were taken away by the gunmen.
Residents said the assailants arrived in large numbers and met no resistance, allowing them to operate freely for hours. Food items and valuables worth millions of naira were looted before the attackers set shops and stalls ablaze, completely destroying the market.
An eyewitness told Daily Trust that the scale of the violence was far worse than initially reported, claiming that more than 50 people were restrained and killed during the raid, with many others forcefully taken away.
The bandits were said to have emerged from the nearby National Park in Borgu LGA, striking in broad daylight and leaving devastation in their wake. Several traders and residents remain unaccounted for, heightening fears that the number of abducted victims may be significantly higher.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said over 30 people lost their lives while several others were kidnapped during the attack.
He disclosed that security operatives received intelligence around 9pm on January 3 that suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District had invaded Kasuwan-Daji, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away large quantities of food items.
According to him, a joint security team visited the area the following morning and confirmed the casualties.
He added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims and restore calm to the community, assuring that further updates would be communicated as operations continue.
