Tinubu Orders Security Chiefs to Hunt Terrorists After 50 Killed in Niger Attacks
The death toll from an armed attack on a market in Nigeria’s Niger state has risen to 50, according to local reports.
Nigeria woke up to another painful reminder of its security challenges after deadly attacks in parts of Niger State left at least 50 people dead, dozens injured, and several others abducted. The violence, which struck rural communities and a local market, has once again exposed the vulnerability of civilians caught in the crosshairs of terror and banditry.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s top security chiefs to immediately hunt down the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice. The directive, issued through the presidency, underscores the federal government’s resolve to confront violent groups that continue to destabilize communities across the country.
A Night of Fear and Loss
According to local accounts, the attackers stormed the affected communities in coordinated raids, opening fire on residents, setting buildings ablaze, and looting food supplies and valuables. The market, usually a place of trade, laughter, and daily survival, became a scene of horror as people tried to flee for safety.
Families are now mourning loved ones, while survivors grapple with trauma, displacement, and uncertainty. For many residents, this attack is not an isolated incident but part of a recurring cycle of violence that has disrupted farming, trading, and everyday life.
Presidential Orders and Security Response
President Tinubu strongly condemned the killings, describing them as cruel and unacceptable. He directed the military, police, and intelligence agencies to launch a coordinated operation to track the attackers, dismantle their networks, and rescue abducted victims.
Beyond the immediate manhunt, the president also emphasized the need for preventive security measures, particularly in forested and border communities that armed groups often exploit as hideouts. Security agencies have reportedly begun intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations in the affected areas.
Niger State Reacts
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago also condemned the attack, assuring residents that a joint security task force is already on the trail of the assailants. He pledged the state government’s cooperation with federal authorities and promised support for victims and displaced families.
A Familiar, Painful Pattern
Sadly, attacks like this have become a grim pattern in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups take advantage of difficult terrain, poverty, and limited security presence. Each incident raises the same urgent questions: how many more lives must be lost, and how quickly can lasting solutions be implemented?
Looking Ahead
For the families of the 50 victims, justice cannot come fast enough. While presidential orders and security operations offer hope, many Nigerians are watching closely, hoping that this time, decisive action will lead not just to arrests, but to lasting peace.
As the nation mourns, the call is clear: protecting lives must move from promises to sustained action. Only then can communities in Niger State, and across Nigeria, begin to heal and feel safe again.
Olotu Esenuifo/Egwu Patience
