Over 30 Killed, Market Burnt As Bandits Sack Niger State Community

No fewer than 30 people, including women, were killed when armed bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.

The attackers also looted shops, made away with food items and valuables worth millions of naira, and set the entire market ablaze during the coordinated assault.

According to local accounts, the bandits stormed the community around 4 pm on Saturday and continued their deadly operation into the early hours of Sunday, with no immediate resistance.

A resident who spoke with Daily Trust by phone claimed the number of casualties could be much higher, stating that “more than 50 people were tied and killed” by the assailants.

The attackers were said to have emerged from the National Park area in Borgu and launched the ambush in broad daylight.

Confirming the tragic incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the bandits carried out the raid on January 3, 2026, around 4:30 pm.

“Suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan-Daji, located at Demo Village via Kabe, and burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.

He added that a joint security team visited the scene the following morning and confirmed the deaths of over 30 people, with several others abducted.

“Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated,” he assured.

The scale and brutality of the attack have plunged the community into mourning, with many residents calling for urgent government intervention.

Security operatives have since increased patrols in the area as part of ongoing efforts to track the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.