A deadly Niger Market attack in Borgu LGA has left over 30 people dead, dozens abducted, and a major rural trading hub destroyed by armed attackers.
A wave of grief and fear has swept through parts of Niger State following a deadly assault on Kasuwan-Daji Market in the Demo community of Borgu Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 3, has been described by residents as one of the most devastating attacks on a rural trading centre in recent years.
The Niger Market attack reportedly began in the late afternoon when heavily armed men stormed the community from nearby forest routes.
The attackers arrived in large numbers, moving swiftly into the bustling Kasuwan-Daji Market, where traders and buyers had gathered for the day’s commercial activities.
Within minutes, panic broke out as gunshots rang through the area, forcing people to flee in different directions.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers operated for several hours without resistance, suggesting that the community was caught completely unprepared.
Many traders were unable to escape in time and were rounded up by the assailants.
Several victims were reportedly tied up before being killed, while others were forcefully taken away to unknown locations.
By the time the attackers withdrew in the early hours of Sunday, the scale of destruction had become clear.
Shops were looted, food supplies were carted away, and the market was set on fire.
Large sections of Kasuwan-Daji Market were reduced to ashes, destroying goods worth millions of naira and cutting off a major source of livelihood for surrounding villages.
Local residents believe the attackers emerged from the vast forest and National Park areas within Borgu Local Government, locations that have increasingly been linked to criminal and extremist activities.
According to community members, the open terrain and limited security presence in the area have made rural settlements vulnerable to repeated attacks.
A resident who spoke under anonymity said the community was left helpless during the assault.
“People were screaming and running. Those who could not escape were captured. When we returned the next morning, bodies were everywhere,” the resident said.
He added that the Niger Market attack has left families shattered, with many still searching for missing relatives.
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the incident and the heavy loss of lives.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that more than 30 people were killed during the attack, while several others were abducted by the assailants.
According to the police, information received at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday indicated that suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan-Daji Market around 4:30 p.m. the same day.
The attackers reportedly came from the forest along the Kabe District axis, looted shops, carted away food items, and later set the market ablaze.
Abiodun explained that a joint security team comprising police officers and other security agencies visited the scene on Sunday morning.
During the assessment, the scale of casualties was confirmed, and efforts were immediately initiated to track the attackers and rescue the kidnapped victims.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in the area as part of measures to prevent further attacks.
The police assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that those responsible for the Niger Market attack would be brought to justice.
Beyond the immediate loss of lives, the attack has raised serious concerns about rural security in Niger State.
Kasuwan-Daji Market serves as a vital trading hub for several communities across Borgu Local Government and neighbouring areas.
Its destruction is expected to have long-term economic consequences, particularly for farmers and small-scale traders who depend on the market to sell their produce.
Community leaders have called on the government to urgently strengthen security around rural markets and settlements.
They argue that without sustained security presence and intelligence-driven operations, communities located near forest corridors will remain easy targets for armed groups.
Analysts note that the Niger Market attack highlights a broader challenge facing many parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups exploit vast ungoverned spaces to launch attacks on civilian populations.
The repeated targeting of markets is especially troubling, as such locations represent both economic lifelines and social gathering points for rural communities.
As families bury their dead and search for loved ones still missing, residents of Demo community say they are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Many fear that without decisive action, similar attacks could occur again.
For now, Kasuwan-Daji Market remains silent, its charred remains standing as a grim reminder of the violence that disrupted lives, livelihoods, and peace in the heart of Borgu Local Government.
Ireport247news
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