Armed attackers on motorcycles raided the Daji market in Niger state
Dozens of people were killed and several others kidnapped when armed attackers stormed a rural market in central Nigeria, police said Sunday.
“Over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, and some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims,” police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said, according to Reuters.
Abiodun said the gunmen entered the Daji market in Demo village, Niger state, around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. They set market stalls on fire and seized food supplies.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on people at the market.
Local residents said the assault followed similar attacks in nearby villages, including Agwarra and Borgu, which began on Friday.
Dauda Shakulle, who was injured while trying to escape, told Reuters that the attackers spared no one.
“They did not even spare women or children,” Shakulle said. “There has been no presence of security forces since the attacks began. We are currently recovering corpses.”
The Nigerian Police Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident.
The attack comes amid a surge in mass kidnappings across Nigeria in recent months. In November, gunmen abducted 25 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State. More than 300 children and 12 teachers were also taken from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Niger state.
The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, a Catholic religious congregation, later confirmed that all those abducted from the school have since been safely released.
“From the first hours of the abduction, the OLA family—together with the local Church in the Diocese of Kontagora, the families of Papiri, and communities across Nigeria—was upheld by a remarkable global solidarity of prayer and advocacy,” said Sister Mary Barron, leader of the congregation. “We extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to all who stood with us during this painful time.”
Growing insecurity and insurgent violence in northern Nigeria are also worsening hunger conditions. The United Nations World Food Programme projects that nearly 35 million people could face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season.
The agency warned that unchecked hunger during the pre-harvest period could further destabilize the region, allowing insurgent groups to exploit desperation and expand their influence.
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