Three days into the New Year, rampaging bandits raided Kasuwan-Daji market at Demo village in Niger State, killing over 30 and kidnapping several others.

Wasiu Abiodun, Niger State Police Command spokesperson, said bandits raided the market, killed, kidnapped, and carted away food and other items from the market.

“On 03/01/2026 at about 9:00 p.m., information received revealed that at about 4:30 p.m. of the same date, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan-Daji, located at Demo Village via Kabe, and burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Mr Abiodun said.

According to the police spokesperson, an on-the-ground assessment by a joint security team at the scene showed that over 30 people were killed during the raid.

“On 04/01/2026 at about 8:00 a.m., a report indicated that a joint security team visited the scene, and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack. Some persons were also kidnapped,” Mr Abiodun said.
Though the number of those kidnapped is yet to be ascertained by the police, the command’s spokesperson said efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, and further developments will be communicated.

This comes among waves of attacks recorded in the first three days of the New Year.

During his New Year message, President Bola Tinubu said his government is collaborating with U.S. President Donald Trump and other global partners to eliminate terrorists and bandits and to secure Nigeria.

Mr Tinubu made reference to the U.S. military strike against terrorists on Christmas day, adding, “In 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security.

“We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country.”