Terrorists Storm Niger Market, Slaughter Over 42 Residents, Abduct Women, Children As Community Cries Out Over Absence Of Security

Minna, Niger State- Suspected terrorists have invaded Kasuwar Daji market along the Sokobara–Tunga Demo axis in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing more than 42 people and abducting several women and children in a brutal attack that has left the community devastated.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the attack occurred on Saturday during market hours, when the assailants stormed the area, setting the market and surrounding villages ablaze and unleashing violence on residents.

In a disturbing video obtained by Afrika Eyes, dozens of corpses were seen scattered across the market, with signs that many victims were slaughtered at close range.

A representative of the community speaking in Hausa language explained  that residents first became aware something was wrong when thick smoke began rising from Kasuwar Daji.

“So, yesterday, we heard about what happened here at Kasuwar Daji. Later, we also saw smoke rising from the market. From all the surrounding villages, we could see the smoke, but we did not know exactly what was happening,” the source said.

He explained that it was later confirmed that the market and nearby villages had been attacked and burned.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers rounded up residents, tying some with ropes and gathering them in one place before killing them in cold blood.

“Many people were arrested, many were shot, and many were captured, tied, and gathered together. After that, they slaughtered people like goats, like chickens,” the source said. “If you look around here, all we are seeing are bodies.”

The community said that by the time residents arrived to assess the situation and count the dead, at least 42 corpses had been identified. However, more bodies are still being discovered in nearby bushes and around water points.

“Even now, reports are coming that another body has been found in the bush, near the water area,” the source added.

The attack has triggered mass displacement, with most residents fleeing the town out of fear. Kasuwar Daji and surrounding villages have been virtually deserted, leaving behind grieving families searching for missing relatives.

“Many still have not been able to identify their relatives, because they do not know where they are,” the community representative said.

Residents also alleged that the attackers abducted wives, young women, and small children as they retreated, though the exact number of those taken away remains unknown.

“Up till now, we do not know the number of people taken away. The situation has plunged people into deep sorrow. There is great fear, and people have lost their homes across all the villages,” the source said.

Despite repeated appeals, residents accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to respond promptly, claiming that no security personnel were seen until much later, when bodies were being evacuated.

“Since yesterday evening, around five o’clock, up until this morning as we speak, we have not seen any security personnel—not a single one,” the source lamented.

Parents and families, he said, are crying and living in fear, uncertain of what has become of their loved ones.

The community has now issued a desperate appeal to the government for immediate intervention.

“We are crying out loudly, appealing to the government to take action and send security personnel to address this calamity. This is too much for rural people to bear,” the source said. “We need help so that people can regain peace of mind and live in peace.”