A wave of terror swept through Niger State this weekend as gunmen launched a ruthless rampage on the Kasuwan-Daji market in Demo Village via Kabe leaving a trail of blood, ashes, and tears.
In a brazen attack that began around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, terrorists emerging from the Kainji Lake National Park forest slaughtered at least 30 people, torched shops, and ransacked a Catholic Mission House.
The horror in Agwara
Witnesses describe a scene of chaos as the attackers stormed the market, which sits between Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas.
The terrorists were said to have fired indiscriminately, burned stalls, and looted food items, motorcycles, and over N200,000 in cash.
From the pictures making rounds, several of the victims were tied before being shot by the terrorists and several of them were men.
While the Niger State Police Command has confirmed 30 deaths, local sources insist the toll is higher.
Residents report:
- 37 dead in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri.
- 5 dead in Kaima village.
- Total estimated toll: At least 42 lives lost.
Priest escapes, children taken
The violence did not stop at the market. The terrorists targeted the St. Mary’s Catholic Mission House in Papiri.
Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, Director of Communications for the Kontagora Diocese, confirmed that the Parish Priest narrowly escaped capture just moments before the gunmen breached his quarters.
“They were looking for the Priest, but luckily he escaped. They destroyed religious items, carted away two motorbikes and cash… but they abducted some villagers including children.”
Local reports further indicate that many of the abductees are pupils from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.
“We are sleeping in the bushes”
Fear has paralyzed the region. One distraught resident pleaded for immediate government intervention:
“They came out of the forest, wrecking havoc. On Saturday, they burnt the market and abducted so many people, including children. As I am talking to you, villagers have been sleeping in the bushes since their return.”
Official response
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the casualty figures, stating that a joint security team is currently on the trail of the perpetrators in a bid to rescue the unspecified number of kidnapped victims.
This is a developing story and ASHENEWS will continue to monitor the development of events as they occur.
