A deadly attack by suspected bandits has thrown the Demo community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State into mourning after dozens of people were killed during a raid on a popular local market.
The incident occurred on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market, where traders and residents had gathered for business before armed men invaded the area, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among the crowd.
By the time the attackers left, no fewer than 30 people, including women, had lost their lives, while several others were taken away by the assailants.
Residents said the bandits arrived at the market in the late afternoon and operated freely for several hours, looting foodstuffs and valuable items worth millions of naira before setting the market on fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack started around 4 pm on Saturday and continued into the early hours of Sunday, with little or no resistance from security forces.
A resident of the community, who spoke on the phone, claimed that the number of casualties could be higher than officially reported, alleging that more than 50 people were tied up and killed during the operation.
The attackers were said to have emerged from the National Park located within Borgu Local Government Area and carried out the assault in broad daylight, heightening fears among nearby communities.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said security agencies had visited the scene and confirmed the deaths of over 30 people.
He explained that police received information at about 9 pm on January 3, 2026, indicating that suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District had invaded Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village around 4:30 pm.
According to him, the attackers burnt the market, looted shops, carted away food items, and kidnapped an unspecified number of persons before fleeing.
Abiodun added that a joint security team visited the area at about 8 am on January 4, 2026, where the casualties were confirmed, noting that efforts were ongoing to rescue those abducted.
He assured residents that further updates would be communicated as investigations and rescue operations continue.
