President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a manhunt for terrorists responsible for a brutal attack on communities in Niger State that resulted in over 40 fatalities and numerous abductions.
In a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to locate and apprehend those behind the Kasuwan Daji attack and bring them to justice.
“These terrorists have tested our nation’s resolve and must face the full consequences of their actions,” he said. “No matter who they are or their motives, they will be pursued. Those who support them will also be held accountable.”
The President emphasized the urgent need to rescue all abducted victims and ordered intensified security operations in vulnerable areas, particularly those near forests.
“We must unite as a people and confront these threats together. Our strength lies in our unity, and we must reclaim peace for the affected communities,” Tinubu stated, while offering prayers for the victims.
The directive came after armed bandits executed coordinated attacks in Agwara and Borgu local government areas of Niger State on Saturday afternoon. According to the Niger State Police Command, the assailants emerged from the National Park forest and assaulted Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun reported that the attackers struck around 4:30 p.m., resulting in significant casualties, setting fire to the market, looting shops, and stealing food items. The attack faced minimal resistance due to the remoteness of the area.
“Security forces were later deployed, and a joint security team has been dispatched to the scene to assist in rescuing the abducted victims,” he added.
While police estimates report over 30 deaths, local residents and community leaders suggest the toll is significantly higher. Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, confirmed that over 40 individuals were killed in the raid.
“They have killed more than 40 and taken others hostage,” Kabirat stated. He noted that the parish priest narrowly escaped abduction during an earlier encounter with the terrorists.
A community source from Agwara disclosed that the attacks extended beyond Kasuwan Daji, leading to numerous casualties and abductions, including children from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools.
Residents have fled the area in fear, seeking safety in neighboring villages. “This is a critical crisis. The government must intervene urgently. Our communities are living in fear,” the source remarked.
This incident follows a series of attacks in recent months, including a significant raid in November where terrorists abducted 315 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun condemned the killings, calling them barbaric and inhumane. In a statement, he expressed his condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and called for a robust response from security agencies to ensure the attackers face justice.
He prayed for the victims’ souls and their families’ strength.
