50 Killed as Gunmen Storm Market in Niger State

The number of fatalities from a violent assault on a local market in Niger State, Nigeria, has reached 50. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, armed gunmen targeted the Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village. This brutal attack sparked chaos and left the community in deep mourning.

According to local reports, the assailants opened fire indiscriminately on traders and shoppers. In addition to the high death toll, the gunmen kidnapped several residents. They also looted essential food supplies before fleeing into the surrounding forests.

Presidential Response and Security Reinforcements

President Bola Tinubu issued a stern condemnation of the massacre on Sunday. He has directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators immediately. Furthermore, he ordered the rescue of all hostages taken during the raid.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country,” the President stated. “They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions.”

President Tinubu also ordered that security operations be reinforced around vulnerable communities. This protection is especially critical for villages located near the large forest areas that armed groups use as hideouts.

A Growing Wave of Regional Violence

Local residents reported that the attackers had been seen lurking in the area for nearly a week before the strike. This market raid appears to be part of a broader wave of violence that began last Friday. Other communities targeted in the region recently include:

• Agwarra
• Borgu
• Demo Village

Residents expressed significant frustration over the current security vacuum. Many noted that there was no visible security presence in the area even as the violence escalated throughout the entire weekend.

Security Context in Central Nigeria

The location of this latest tragedy is near the Papiri community. This is the same region where over 300 students and teachers were kidnapped from a Catholic school in November 2025.

While the military continues to conduct operations in the northwest and central regions, banditry and mass abductions remain a severe threat. This latest massacre highlights the ongoing challenges security forces face. Protecting rural markets and remote villages remains a difficult task for the government.