30 killed, Scores Abducted in Fresh Bandit Attack On Niger Community

Suspected bandits have launched another deadly attack on communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, killing more than 30 residents, including children, and abducting many others, according to the Niger State Police Command.

The latest attack comes less than a month after more than 300 pupils, students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri were abducted in the same axis before they were later released.

Local sources said at least 37 people were killed in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, while five others were shot dead in Kaima village. Several residents, including women and children, were reportedly taken away by the attackers.

The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Reverend Father Stephen Kabirat, confirmed the attack and put the death toll at about 40. He disclosed that a parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the gunmen stormed the Mission House. According to him, the attackers vandalised church property, stole two motorcycles, and abducted several villagers during the raid.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attack occurred on Saturday evening. He explained that around 4:30 p.m., suspected bandits emerging from the National Park forest along the Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji at Demo Village through Kabe, killing over 30 people, setting the market on fire, looting shops, and making away with food items.

SP Abiodun added that the command received a distress call at about 9 p.m., after which joint security teams were deployed to the affected communities. He said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and restore normalcy to the area.

Security agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant as investigations continue and operations are intensified to track down the attackers and secure the release of those taken captive.