Gunmen Kill Dozens in Nigeria Market Attack

 At least 30 people were killed and several others abducted after armed gunmen attacked a crowded market in Kasuwan Daji, a village in Nigeria’s Niger State, according to police. The assault took place around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, when attackers stormed the market, opened fire on civilians, burned stalls, and looted food items.

Police said the attackers, locally referred to as bandits, arrived on motorcycles and fired indiscriminately. Witnesses said the violence formed part of a wider wave of raids that began a day earlier in nearby communities, spreading fear across the area.

Civilians Targeted, Abductions Reported

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said “over 30 victims lost their lives” during the attack, adding that security forces were working to rescue those kidnapped. Residents, however, said the death toll could be higher. One wounded survivor said women and children were among those killed, while locals struggled to retrieve bodies due to the absence of security forces in the immediate aftermath.

Another resident estimated the number of dead at 40, citing attacks not only in Kasuwan Daji but also in nearby villages including Chukama and Shanga. Homes and market infrastructure were heavily damaged, leaving survivors displaced and fearful of further violence.

Banditry Spreads Across the Region

The attack underscores the escalating threat posed by armed criminal gangs operating across northwestern and central Nigeria. These groups, often based in forested areas and remote reserves, routinely carry out mass killings, kidnappings for ransom, and village raids, exploiting limited state presence.

The assault came just weeks after gunmen abducted more than 300 children and staff from a Catholic school in Niger State. Although those victims were later released, the incident highlighted the scale of insecurity gripping rural communities.

Government Response Under Pressure

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and said he had ordered security forces to hunt down the perpetrators. He also directed authorities to intensify security operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near forests used as militant hideouts.

Despite repeated military and police operations, attacks by armed gangs have continued, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and leaving communities increasingly exposed to violence.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/gunmen-kill-dozens-in-nigeria-market-attack-dcr58b4e9kb