Bandits Attack Niger Market, Kill 30, Abduct Many Others

• At least 30 villagers have been killed and several others abducted after suspected bandits attacked a Niger market in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, police have confirmed.

Suspected bandits operating from the Kainji Lake National Park have attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing no fewer than 30 people and abducting several others.

The attack occurred on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village. According to reports, the assailants accessed the community through Kabe before setting the market ablaze, looting food items and other goods, and opening fire on villagers.

Several residents were also abducted along routes leading into the expansive Kainji Lake National Park forest, where the attackers are believed to have retreated.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, said a joint security team had visited the area and that efforts were ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims.

“On 03/01/2026 at about 9 p.m., information received revealed that at about 4:30 p.m. of the same date, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, located at Demo village via Kabe, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.

He added that a follow-up report received on January 4 indicated that more than 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, while several others were kidnapped.

“Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated,” the police spokesperson stated.

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The latest incident comes barely weeks after a major abduction in Niger State. On November 21, 2025, bandits stormed St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, kidnapping over 300 pupils and students.

The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles around 2:00 a.m., reportedly spent about three hours in the school premises, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.

While some victims escaped in the immediate aftermath, the Federal Government later confirmed the release of all abducted pupils by December 21.