At least 50 killed in market attack in Nigeria’s Niger State.

At Least 30 Killed and Several Abducted in Deadly Market Attack in Nigeria’s Niger State
At least 30 people have been killed and several others abducted after armed gunmen launched a brutal attack on a bustling market in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, police confirmed on Sunday. The assault unfolded on Saturday afternoon at Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, part of the Borgu Local Government Area, leaving traders and residents in shock as bodies were still being recovered hours after the violence.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said the attackers, locally known as “bandits,” arrived on motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately, then set fire to market stalls and looted food and other goods. He stated that “over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, and some persons were also kidnapped,” with rescue efforts underway for those taken captive.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as women and children were among those targeted during the raid, which formed part of a series of violent outbreaks that began on Friday in nearby villages, including Agwarra and Borgu. One wounded resident, Dauda Shakulle, recounted that the gunmen shot without warning as people fled for safety.

The Niger State attack comes amid a broader surge of banditry and mass kidnappings across northwestern and central Nigeria, where armed groups continue to carry out deadly raids on remote communities, often overwhelming local security forces. The state has endured repeated assaults in recent months, including the high-profile abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren and teachers in November 2025 an incident that drew national and international attention before most of the victims were eventually released.

Local authorities and security personnel have yet to provide detailed figures on the number of people taken during Saturday’s assault, but efforts are ongoing to locate and free those abducted. As Nigeria grapples with persistent insecurity in rural regions, the latest attack is a stark reminder of the challenges facing both residents and security agencies in restoring stability and protecting vulnerable communities.