At Least 30 Killed as Armed Men Storm Village in Nigeria’s Niger State

At least 30 people have been killed after armed men violently stormed a village in Nigeria’s Niger state, setting fire to a local market, looting shops, and kidnapping residents, according to state authorities and police.

The attack occurred on Saturday in the village of Kasuwan-Daji, where gunmen reportedly emerged from a nearby forest before riding into the community on motorcycles, heavily armed. Police confirmed that the assailants opened fire on residents and carried out coordinated killings before fleeing the area.

A local journalist, speaking to the BBC Hausa service, described scenes of extreme brutality.

“The gunmen entered the town on motorcycles carrying weapons, rounded up people and then proceeded to slaughter them, while others were shot dead,” the journalist said.

Authorities said the attackers also set the village market ablaze, looted nearby shops, and abducted an unspecified number of people, raising fears that the death toll could rise further as searches continue.

Rising Bandit Violence

The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to armed criminal gangs — commonly referred to as “bandits” — who operate across large swathes of Nigeria. These groups are known for mass kidnappings, village raids, cattle rustling, and extortion, particularly in rural and poorly policed regions.

While bandit activity has plagued Nigeria for several years, attacks in western and central parts of the country have surged in recent months, stretching security forces and prompting growing concern among local communities and humanitarian organisations.

Niger state, which borders Nigeria’s federal capital territory, has repeatedly been targeted due to its vast forests, which militants use as hideouts and staging grounds for attacks.

Ongoing Security Challenges

Despite repeated military operations and security crackdowns ordered by federal and state authorities, bandit groups continue to carry out deadly raids, often with little warning. Analysts have warned that limited resources, difficult terrain, and porous borders have hampered efforts to fully dismantle the networks behind the violence.

Security forces have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the Kasuwan-Daji attack.

Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media
Newsdesk
5 January 2026

Image Credit - Zakari Kontagora