A deadly attack by suspected bandits has left at least 30 people dead and many others kidnapped after gunmen invaded Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident, which happened on Saturday and stretched into the early hours of Sunday, has thrown the area into mourning and renewed fears about insecurity in parts of the state.
Residents said the attackers stormed the market around 4 pm, a busy time when traders and buyers were present. The gunmen reportedly came in large numbers and operated freely for several hours. They looted food items and other goods worth millions of naira, set shops on fire, and later burnt the entire market before leaving.
Women were among those killed during the attack, according to local sources. Several people were also taken away by the attackers, though the exact number of those kidnapped is yet to be confirmed.
A resident of the area, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the attackers met little or no resistance during the operation. The source claimed that many people were rounded up and killed, adding that the community was left helpless as the gunmen moved from one part of the market to another.
“They came in broad daylight and stayed for hours. People ran in different directions to save their lives. Many could not escape,” the resident said.
Security sources said the attackers were believed to have emerged from the National Park forest in Borgu Local Government Area. The area, which is close to the Kainji Lake National Park, has in recent years become a hideout for criminal gangs due to its thick forests and difficult terrain.
Confirming the attack, the Niger State Police Command said more than 30 people lost their lives, while several others were kidnapped. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident was reported to the command on Saturday night.
According to him, “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.”
He added that a joint security team visited the scene the next morning and confirmed the casualties. “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,” Abiodun said.
Kasuwan Daji market is a major trading centre that serves several communities in Borgu Local Government Area and neighbouring parts of Niger and Kwara states. Farmers, traders, and buyers from surrounding villages rely on the market to sell farm produce, buy food items, and carry out daily business. The destruction of the market has therefore affected not just Demo community but many others who depend on it for their livelihood.
Traders who escaped the attack said they lost everything they had. Bags of grains, livestock products, clothing materials, and cash were either stolen or destroyed in the fire. Many shop owners said it would be difficult to recover from the losses, especially at a time when economic hardship is already biting hard.
The attack has also forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of another strike. Some families were seen moving to nearby towns and villages, while others sought refuge with relatives. Schools and local businesses remained closed as of Sunday due to fear and uncertainty.
Borgu Local Government Area has experienced repeated attacks by bandits in recent years. Communities around the Kainji Lake National Park have often complained about the presence of armed groups who use the forest as cover to launch attacks on villages, farms, and highways. Farmers in the area have also suffered kidnappings, cattle rustling, and destruction of crops.
Despite several military and police operations in the wider Niger State axis, residents say the attacks have continued. Community leaders have repeatedly called on the Federal and State Governments to increase security presence in the area and to clear the forests being used by criminal groups.
Niger State, like many states in the North-Central and North-West regions, has been battling banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Markets, highways, and rural communities have often been targets because of weak security and slow response times.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies said operations were ongoing to track the attackers and rescue those kidnapped. The Niger State Government has yet to issue an official statement, but sources said emergency meetings were being held to address the situation.
For the people of Demo community and surrounding villages, the attack has left deep scars. Families are mourning their loved ones, traders are counting their losses, and the fear of what may come next hangs heavily in the air. Many residents say they only hope that decisive action will be taken to restore peace and allow them return to their normal lives.