President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for the terrorists behind the deadly attack on communities in Niger State that left more than 40 people dead and many others abducted.
In a statement personally signed on Sunday, the President said he had directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack and bring them to justice.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” Tinubu said.
He warned that no individual or group involved in the violence would be spared.
“No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. Those who aid, abet or enable them will also be brought to justice,” the President added.
Tinubu also ordered the immediate rescue of all abducted victims and directed security agencies to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those located near forests.
“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them and deny them any sanctuary,” he said, while praying for the repose of the victims’ souls.
The presidential directive followed coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on Saturday afternoon in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State.
According to the Niger State Police Command, the attackers are believed to have emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District before storming Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village via Kabe.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the attack began around 4:30 p.m. and lasted for several hours.
“At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.
He added that the attackers operated with little resistance due to the remoteness of the area, noting that security forces were later deployed after a distress call.
“A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims. Further developments will be communicated,” he said.
While police confirmed over 30 deaths, residents and community leaders put the casualty figure higher.
The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr Stephen Kabirat, said no fewer than 40 people were killed during the raid.
“The terrorists have killed over 40 persons and taken some into captivity,” Kabirat said.
He disclosed that a parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the attackers stormed the Mission House days earlier, adding that religious items were destroyed and two motorcycles and cash were stolen.
Kabirat said villagers, including women and children, were among those abducted.
A community source in Agwara Local Government Area, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attacks extended beyond Kasuwan Daji.
“The terrorists attacked communities in Agwara and Borgu, killing no fewer than 42 persons and abducting an unconfirmed number of people, including children,” the source said.
The source added that Kasuwan Daji market was burnt, while several residents, including students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, were taken away.
According to the source, at least 37 people were killed in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, while five others died in Kaima village.
Security-incident mapping and cross-checks of police timelines, church accounts and community reports indicate that the attackers exploited forest corridors and the delayed response time common in remote settlements.
Fear has since gripped the affected communities, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring villages and across the river for safety.
“This is a serious crisis. People are living in fear, and many communities are now deserted,” the community source said.
The area has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months. In November 2025, terrorists abducted 315 pupils, students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri. They were released after about one month following federal government intervention.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, condemned the killings, describing them as callous, senseless and a crime against humanity.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Abiodun expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the people of the state.
“I commiserate with the government and people of Niger State over the dastardly attacks that left over 40 people dead and many others abducted,” he said.
“The cowardly onslaught on innocent citizens going about their lawful business represents a stain on our nation’s conscience,” Abiodun added.
He urged security agencies to deploy all available resources to track down and prosecute the perpetrators, stressing that the attackers must be “completely crushed” to prevent further bloodshed.
