Gunmen massacre villagers in Nigeria’s Niger State, at least 30 killed, many abducted
Abuja: At least 30 villagers were killed and several others abducted after heavily armed gunmen carried out a brutal attack on Kasuwan-Daji village in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, on Saturday evening. The assault has triggered widespread fear and displacement, with residents alleging a delayed security response.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed into the village without warning and opened indiscriminate fire on residents. Panic gripped Kasuwan-Daji as villagers fled in different directions to save their lives.
Beyond the shootings, the assailants set fire to the local market and several houses, causing extensive destruction and leaving many families homeless. Thick smoke engulfed the area as buildings burned, turning the village into a scene of devastation in the aftermath of the attack.
Niger State Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said security forces have been deployed to track down the attackers and rescue those abducted. “Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Efforts are being made to restore calm and secure the area,” he said in a statement.
However, local residents have questioned the police account, claiming that no security personnel were seen in the village even by Sunday. Villagers alleged they were left completely helpless for hours after the attack, with no immediate protection or medical assistance. While police have officially confirmed at least 30 deaths, residents insist the toll could be higher.
Two villagers told local media that the number of those killed may have risen to 37, as bodies were still being recovered. Several people remain missing, and those abducted reportedly include women and children. Families of the missing say they fear the victims may have been taken into nearby forests, a tactic commonly used by armed groups operating in the region.
North-central and north-western Nigeria have witnessed a surge in violent attacks in recent years, with armed gangs—often referred to locally as bandits—targeting rural communities through killings, kidnappings for ransom, and arson. Despite repeated military and police operations, many remote villages continue to face security gaps, leaving civilians vulnerable.
Human rights groups and community leaders have once again called on the federal and state governments to strengthen security presence in rural areas and ensure swift response mechanisms to prevent such attacks. As Kasuwan-Daji mourns its dead and searches for the missing, fear remains high that further violence could follow if the perpetrators are not quickly apprehended.
