No fewer than 60 people were killed on Saturday following a deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji Market in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. According to local sources, armed terrorists believed to have emerged from the Kainji National Park invaded the busy market at about 4:00 p.m., surrounding the area before launching a coordinated assault on traders and shoppers. Witnesses said the attackers slaughtered victims indiscriminately and abducted several others, with women and children said to be among those taken away. The assault reportedly caused panic as residents fled the scene to escape the violence.
As of more than 12 hours after the incident, rescue efforts were still ongoing, with volunteers from neighbouring communities searching surrounding bushes for bodies and survivors. Our correspondent gathered that at least 43 corpses, comprising both Muslims and Christians, were recovered and buried in a mass grave on Sunday, while the search for more victims continued. Among those reportedly abducted are pupils and students of St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, who were recently rescued by the Federal Government from an earlier abduction. Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the attack, as residents continue to call for urgent intervention to prevent further assaults in the area.