President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate manhunt for those behind a series of violent attacks on communities in Niger State that left more than 40 people dead and several others abducted.
In a statement personally signed on Sunday, the President said he had instructed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack and ensure they are brought to justice.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” Tinubu said.
“No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. Those who aid, abet or enable them will also be brought to justice,” he added.
The President also directed security agencies to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those located near forests, and ordered the immediate rescue of all abducted victims.
“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them and deny them any sanctuary,” Tinubu said, while praying for the repose of the victims’ souls.
The directive followed coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on Saturday afternoon in Agwara and Borgu local government areas of Niger State. According to the Niger State Police Command, the attackers were believed to have emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District before storming Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village.
Police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the assault began at about 4:30 p.m. and lasted several hours.
“At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.
He added that the attackers operated with little resistance due to the remoteness of the area, but noted that a joint security team had since visited the scene and rescue efforts were ongoing.
While police put the death toll at over 30, residents and community leaders said the number of casualties was higher.
The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr Stephen Kabirat, said more than 40 people were killed during the raid, with several others abducted.
“The terrorists have killed over 40 persons and taken some into captivity,” Kabirat said, adding that the parish priest narrowly escaped abduction during a separate attack on the Mission House days earlier.
A community source in Agwara Local Government Area said the violence extended beyond Kasuwan Daji, with attacks reported in several villages.
“The terrorists attacked communities in Agwara and Borgu, killing no fewer than 42 persons and abducting an unconfirmed number of people, including children,” the source said.
The source added that fear has gripped the area, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety.
The attacks come amid a history of similar violence in the region. In November 2025, suspected terrorists abducted 315 pupils, students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri. The victims were released after about a month following federal intervention.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and inhumane.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Abiodun expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the people of the state, urging security agencies to deploy all available resources to track down and prosecute those responsible.
He prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls and for strength for their families.
