Bandits Sighted Again In Niger Community Days After Deadly Market Attack

Residents of Kasuwan Daji in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have raised the alarm after suspected bandits were sighted around the community, triggering fresh fears of an impending attack.

Naija News reports that the development comes barely days after gunmen stormed the Kasuwan Daji market, killing scores of villagers and abducting several others.

While the Niger State Police Command put the casualty figure from the market attack at 30, community leaders disputed the number, insisting that between 42 and 60 people were killed during the incident.

Eyewitnesses who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, firing sporadically as traders and shoppers fled for safety.

The gunmen were also said to have set market stalls ablaze and carted away food items, leaving large sections of the market destroyed and several bodies at the scene.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a resident said armed men were again sighted in the area on Sunday evening.

“Please, we just saw a large number of bandits passing again at Kasuwan Daji, Borgu Local Government and Agwara Local Government. We are living in fear now; please help us inform security agencies to be on alert. All of us are in a terrible shape now,” the villager said.

Another local source confirmed the sightings, saying the suspected bandits were seen entering the area through Agwara.

“These movements have been ongoing since Sunday afternoon. People are afraid because they may be settling around forests close to our communities,” he said.