At least 30 people were killed and many others abducted on Saturday when suspected bandits attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attackers, believed to be operating from the Kainji Lake National Park, reportedly stormed Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, setting it on fire and looting food items and other goods. Witnesses said the assailants opened fire on villagers and forcefully took several people away along routes leading into the surrounding forest.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command said a joint security team had visited the area and that efforts were underway to rescue those abducted.
According to the police spokesperson, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, the attack occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on January 3, 2026. He said information later revealed that the gunmen invaded the market from the national park axis, burned down shops, and carted away food supplies.
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Abiodun added that by the morning of January 4, security operatives who assessed the scene confirmed that more than 30 villagers lost their lives, while several others were taken captive. He assured that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing and that further updates would be provided.
The attack comes barely weeks after a major abduction in Niger State. On November 21, 2025, gunmen kidnapped more than 300 pupils and students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly arrived on motorcycles around 2:00 a.m. and, over several hours, abducted 315 people, including students and teachers. While some pupils escaped shortly after, others were later released following sustained rescue efforts. By December 21, the Federal Government announced that all remaining abducted students had regained their freedom.