Armed bandits operating from the Kainji Lake National Park have attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, setting it ablaze, killing 30 villagers, and abducting scores.
The event took place on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, which the bandits allegedly reached through Kabe.
The attackers allegedly not only set fire to the market but also stole food products and various goods, fired upon villagers, and kidnapped many along routes towards the vast Kainji Lake National Park forest.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack, stating that a joint security team had arrived at the location and that ongoing efforts were being made to rescue the abducted victims.
“On 03/01/2026 at about 9 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, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Abiodun, a Superintendent of Police, said.
“On 04/01/2026 at about 8 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. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated.”
The most recent assault comes after one on November 21, 2025, when criminals abducted more than 300 children and teenagers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reaching at approximately 2:00 a.m. on motorcycles, the armed assailants invaded the school dorms within three hours, kidnapping 315 individuals—303 students and 12 staff members.
Security personnel and local hunters were sent to search the surrounding forests for the victims.
On the first day following the event, 50 students managed to flee and were reunited with their families.
Later, the Federal Government ensured the liberation of 100 schoolchildren.
On December 21, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced that all the kidnapped students of St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State, “totaling 230, have been rescued.”
