Armed gangs, locally called “bandits,” attacked Kasuwan Daji village in Kabe district, Niger State, on Saturday, January 3rd, killing at least 30 people and kidnapping several others, local police said. During the raid, the assailants set the local market on fire and looted shops for food.
“Over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, and some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims,” police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said.
AFP reports to have seen footage and photos showing some victims with their hands tied before being killed. Witnesses said the attackers operated for hours without any security presence.
The Catholic Church in Kontagora put the death toll at more than 40, higher than the police estimate.
Niger State has seen repeated mass kidnappings. In November, over 250 students and staff were seized from a Catholic school less than 20 kilometres away in Papiri village and were later released in two batches.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security crises, including jihadist insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder clashes and separatist violence. Even on Christmas Eve, about five people were killed in a suspected suicide bombing at a mosque in Borno State.
The U.S. has criticised Nigeria for failing to control violence against Christians, and launched Christmas Day airstrikes on Islamic State-linked militants with Abuja’s approval.
President Bola Tinubu pledged a national security overhaul in December, presenting the 2026 budget with the largest allocation to defence following the appointment of a new defence minister.
