At least 30 people, including women, have been confirmed dead following a deadly bandit attack on Kasuwan Daji Market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The assailants reportedly stormed the bustling rural market on Saturday afternoon, unleashing violence that lasted for several hours into the early hours of Sunday. During the attack, the gunmen looted shops, carted away foodstuffs and valuables worth millions of naira, and eventually set the market ablaze.
Local sources told Journalist that the attackers arrived around 4:00 pm, catching traders and residents unprepared. Several people were said to have been abducted, while dozens sustained varying degrees of injuries as they attempted to flee the scene.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the attackers operated without resistance and tied up several victims before killing them. He added that the assailants were believed to have emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park axis, a route increasingly linked to violent attacks in the area.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command said a joint security operation had been deployed to the scene. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that security agencies visited the community early Sunday morning and confirmed that over 30 persons lost their lives, while an unspecified number were kidnapped.
According to the police, efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and track down the perpetrators.
The tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns over security in rural communities across Niger State, particularly around border and forested areas that have become havens for armed groups.
Residents are calling on the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security presence in Borgu and neighbouring local government areas to prevent further loss of lives and property.
