In a devastating escalation of violence, armed gangs killed more than thirty people and kidnapped an unspecified number of others during a brutal raid on a village in Niger State, police confirmed on Sunday. The attack occurred in the same region where hundreds of schoolchildren were abducted late last year.
Details of the Brutal Assault
The assailants, locally referred to as bandits, stormed Kasuwan Daji village in the Kabe district of western Niger State on Saturday. Witnesses reported that the gunmen set a local market ablaze before looting shops for food and other supplies. Niger State police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, with several others taken captive.
Disturbing images viewed by AFP showed some of the deceased with their hands tied behind their backs, indicating executions. The local Catholic Church in Kontagora, however, placed the death toll higher, stating more than 40 were killed. The church also noted on its Facebook page that "reports indicate the bandits operated for hours with no security presence."
Connection to Wider Security Crisis
This latest atrocity took place less than 20 kilometres from Papiri village, where armed gangs seized more than 250 students and staff from a Catholic school in November. Those victims were released in batches weeks later, with no official confirmation on whether a ransom was paid.
In a statement, President Bola Tinubu's office suggested the attackers might have been "terrorists" fleeing from parts of northwestern Nigeria. This flight is believed to be a consequence of Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the United States, which targeted militants linked to the Islamic State group. Abuja later stated it had approved those strikes.
President Tinubu, through his media adviser Bayo Onanuga, vowed that the attackers "will be caught and brought to justice", along with anyone who assisted them. Tinubu has previously promised a national security revamp, increasing defence spending in the 2026 budget and appointing a new defence minister in early December.
A Nation Grappling with Multiple Threats
Nigeria's security forces are severely stretched, confronting numerous conflicts across the nation. Information Minister Mohammed Idris emphasized the non-sectarian nature of the violence, stating, "Those killed and those abducted, were traders, farmers, parents, schoolchildren from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds."
The country faces a complex web of security challenges, including:
- A long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeast.
- Rampant banditry and mass kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and central regions.
- Persistent farmer-herder violence.
- Separatist agitation in the southeast.
This attack underscores the severe and ongoing security crisis in Niger State, which has been one of the hardest-hit regions in recent months. The incident also occurs amidst international scrutiny, following recent criticism from the United States regarding Nigeria's handling of violence that some American officials have framed as persecution.
