Massacre in Northern Nigeria: Over 30 Killed, Many Taken Hostage

Gunmen attacked Kasuwan-Daji village in Nigeria’s Niger state on Sunday evening, leaving at least 30 people dead and many others kidnapped, according to AP. Police confirmed the raid, which is part of a long-running pattern of violence in northern Nigeria.

Witnesses reported that the assault lasted up to three hours, with residents too terrified to move. One resident, who feared being identified, said, "The bodies are still there, but without security, how can we go to retrieve them?" Survivors stayed hidden as danger remained close.

Niger state attack: scale of deaths and abductions

Officials and locals offered different counts of the dead from the Niger state attack. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun noted doubts about the initial toll, saying, "Some residents believe the number of deaths could be as high as 37, as more bodies may still be discovered." Several villagers, including children, were seized during the chaos.

Rev Fr Stephen Kabirat, spokesperson for the Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, stated that more than 40 people were killed in the Niger state attack on Kasuwan-Daji. Residents also reported that some kidnapped villagers were minors, adding to the community’s shock and grief after the raid.

Niger state attack: how the gunmen struck

The gunmen moved into Kasuwan-Daji, in the Borgu local government area, shooting at people and torching buildings. Houses and the local market were set on fire as villagers tried to flee. Many homes were destroyed, and the attack left the community in ruins.

Local accounts suggested the assailants had watched nearby settlements for nearly a week before the strike. Gunmen reportedly monitored movements around Kasuwan-Daji and surrounding areas, choosing a time when security was weak. The planned nature of the strike added to fears among neighbouring communities.

Niger state attack: insecurity and criminal hideouts

Armed gangs in Nigeria often focus on remote villages with minimal security presence. Many hide in large, unused forests, including the National Park Forest near the Kabe district, where the Kasuwan-Daji attackers are believed to have come from. The forest area is now widely seen as a criminal base.

This latest violence happened near the Papiri community, where over 300 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in November. The Kasuwan-Daji assault deepens concerns about safety in Niger state, as communities already affected by kidnappings now face repeated deadly attacks.