At least 30 people, including women, were killed when armed bandits attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.
The attackers also looted food items and other goods worth millions of naira before setting the market on fire. Eyewitnesses said the raid began around 4 pm and continued into the early hours of Sunday.
Several residents were reportedly abducted during the attack. A local who spoke to Daily Trust said that over 50 people were tied up and killed as the bandits moved through the area without resistance.
The assailants were said to have emerged from the National Park in Borgu LGA and struck in broad daylight.
Confirming the incident, Niger State Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said more than 30 people died, while several others were kidnapped.
He stated: “On 03/01/2026 at about 9 pm, information received revealed that at about 4:30 pm of the same date, 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. On 04/01/2026 at about 8 am, a report indicated that a joint security team visited the scene, and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack. Some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated.”
