In a devastating act of violence, armed terrorists have unleashed horror on a rural community in Niger State, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and abduction. The attack on the Kasuwan Daji market in the Demo community has resulted in a significant loss of life and property, highlighting the persistent security challenges in the region.
Details of the Deadly Market Assault
The coordinated attack began on the afternoon of Saturday, January 3, 2026. According to official reports, suspected bandits emerged from the nearby National Park forest in Borgu Local Government Area and invaded the bustling Kasuwan Daji market. The assailants operated with impunity, setting the entire market ablaze and looting shops of foodstuffs and other valuables worth millions of naira.
The Niger State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the grim toll. Over 30 people lost their lives in the brutal assault, with several others forcibly taken away by the terrorists. A joint security team visited the scene on the morning of Sunday, January 4, 2026, to assess the carnage. Police stated that efforts are actively ongoing to locate and rescue the kidnapped victims.
Eyewitness Accounts and Lingering Terror
Local residents provided harrowing details that suggest the death toll could be even higher. One resident, speaking anonymously by telephone, claimed the terrorists tied up and killed more than 50 people. The attackers reportedly maintained control of the area from late afternoon until the early hours of Sunday, facing no resistance.
This incident is not an isolated tragedy in Niger State. It recalls a similar attack in March 2024, where bandits shot dead a newly married man, Sani, at a weekly market in Madaka. In that earlier incident, the terrorists also forced Muslim women to break their Ramadan fast under threat of death.
Broader Implications for Regional Security
The brazen attack on Kasuwan Daji market underscores the severe and worsening insecurity plaguing Nigeria's north-central region. Such assaults have crippled economic activities in local markets, displaced communities, and forced farmers to abandon their farmlands due to fear.
The pattern of violence extends beyond Niger State. Recent reports indicate bandits have also attacked communities in neighbouring Kwara State, killing youths and causing repeated displacement of families despite security assurances.
The persistent threat posed by armed groups operating from forest enclaves continues to challenge state security apparatuses. The Niger State Police Command has promised to communicate further developments as the rescue mission and investigation progress.
