President Bola Tinubu has ordered the military, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to hunt down and arrest the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji market in Niger State, where at least 30 villagers were killed and many others abducted.
The President also directed security agencies to urgently rescue all kidnapped victims, warning that the attackers would face the full consequences of their actions.
Attack Linked to Fleeing Terrorists
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu linked the attack to terrorists fleeing operations in Sokoto and Zamfara states following recent United States airstrikes.
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Armed bandits had on Saturday, January 3, attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing scores of residents, including women, and setting the market ablaze.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded the market, looted shops and carted away food items.
Tinubu warns perpetrators, offers condolences
Describing the attack as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s resolve, Tinubu said the perpetrators and their collaborators would be brought to justice.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” the President said.
He condoled with the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Niger State, assuring them that security agencies had been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities.
Heightened security operations nationwide
The President urged Nigerians to remain united against insecurity, warning that divisive rhetoric could undermine national cohesion.
Nigeria was ranked the sixth most terrorised country globally in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, with over 2,000 people killed by non-state armed groups in the first half of the year.
To address the challenge, Tinubu proposed a N5.41 trillion security allocation in the 2026 budget to strengthen military capacity and inter-agency collaboration.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
