President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern directive to Nigeria's top security chiefs, ordering an immediate and decisive manhunt for the terrorists responsible for a brutal assault on Kasuwan Daji market in Niger State. The attack, which occurred recently, resulted in the tragic loss of over 30 lives, multiple kidnappings, and the burning of the market.
Presidential Directive to Security Chiefs
In a decisive response to the atrocity, President Tinubu has commanded the nation's highest security officials to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. The order was issued to the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The President's directive, communicated via a statement from his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, leaves no room for ambiguity. Tinubu emphasized that the terrorists, who have "tested the resolve of our country and its people," must face the full consequences of their actions. He vowed that they, along with anyone aiding them, would be caught.
Details of the Deadly Market Assault
The armed bandits launched a coordinated attack on the bustling Kasuwan Daji market, unleashing violence that left the community in mourning. Beyond the more than 30 fatalities, an unspecified number of individuals were abducted, and the assailants set fire to the market, causing extensive destruction to property and livelihoods.
According to the presidential statement, intelligence suggests the attackers are suspected terrorists fleeing military pressure in Sokoto and Zamfara States. This movement is believed to be a consequence of a United States air strike that targeted their camps on Christmas Eve, displacing them into neighboring states like Niger.
Rescue Operations and Intensified Security
Alongside the order to hunt down the killers, President Tinubu has mandated the security agencies to urgently rescue all abducted victims from the market attack. Recognizing the vulnerability of communities bordering forest areas, the President has also instructed security operatives to intensify their operations around such locations, which often serve as hideouts for criminal elements.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people of Niger State, and the state government. The incident underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria's north-central region and the federal government's renewed pledge to confront them head-on.
