A brutal assault by armed men on Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village has left 50 people dead and several others abducted, plunging the community into grief.
The gunmen struck Saturday morning, firing randomly at traders and customers before stealing food items and vanishing into nearby woods.
Presidential Condemnation and Orders
President Bola Tinubu reacted strongly Sunday, labelling the attackers “terrorists” and vowing they will face justice.
He instructed security forces to:
- Track and capture the perpetrators
- Secure the release of all hostages
- Strengthen patrols around at-risk villages near forest hideouts
“Such criminals will not escape accountability,” the President declared.
Part of Escalating Violence
Locals said suspicious individuals had been spotted in the area for days before the raid. The incident fits a pattern of attacks that intensified from Friday, affecting nearby communities like Agwarra Borgu.
Residents criticised the lack of visible security presence despite rising threats over the weekend.
Broader Security Struggles
The market is close to Papiri, site of a November 2025 school abduction involving over 300 students and staff.
Banditry and kidnappings continue to plague central and northwest Nigeria, exposing persistent difficulties in safeguarding remote areas and public spaces.
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