Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A brutal attack on a rural community in Niger State, north-central Nigeria has left at least 30 people dead and several others kidnapped, underscoring the persistent insecurity that continues to afflict the region despite recent plans to resume schooling after a major abduction incident. The assault, which took place on the evening of January 3, 2026, has intensified fears among residents and authorities alike about the safety and stability of vulnerable rural populations.
According to statements from the Niger State Police Command, attackers believed to be armed “bandits” emerged from forested areas in the Kabe District of Borgu Local Government Area and stormed Kasuwan-Daji village, opening fire on residents and wreaking havoc on the local market. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as assailants burned stalls, looted shops and set homes ablaze, leaving survivors to flee into surrounding bushland. Police confirmed that more than 30 bodies had been recovered during early morning assessments the following day, with authorities and locals suggesting the toll could rise as search efforts continue. Several people remain unaccounted for.
The violence, which reportedly also involved the abduction of numerous civilians, including women and children, reflects a disturbing pattern of insecurity that has plagued parts of north-central Nigeria for years. Rural communities with limited security presence remain frequent targets of armed gangs who use the cover of dense forests to mount attacks with little immediate resistance. Official efforts to locate and rescue those kidnapped are ongoing, with security forces and community vigilantes mobilised to the region.
The latest raid comes just **one day after Niger State officials announced that schools in areas deemed secure would be allowed to reopen from January 12, following a temporary closure triggered by a mass abduction last November that forced widespread disruption of educational activities. Under the revised directive, only schools in districts assessed as safe by security agencies and state education authorities would resume classes, while institutions in insecure communities remain shut until further clearance.
The earlier November 2025 attack at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area was one of the most high-profile mass kidnappings in recent Nigerian history. Gunmen stormed the boarding facility before dawn, seizing an estimated 300 pupils and staff in what highlighted the acute vulnerability of educational institutions in remote areas. While many of the abductees were later freed through coordinated rescue efforts, the incident left deep scars on families and communities and prompted authorities to suspend schooling across large swathes of the state.
Niger State’s education commissioner subsequently clarified that the resumption would be sector-specific and conditional on security assessments. Only schools in areas formally declared safe by joint evaluations of government and defence operatives will welcome pupils back, a move intended to balance the imperative of education with the urgent need to protect children, teachers and staff from harm.
The latest massacre has reignited concerns about the fragile security gains in the region and whether existing measures are sufficient to protect communities outside major towns and urban centres. Analysts point out that banditry, insurgency and communal violence in north-central states such as Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna have evolved into complex challenges that blend criminality with ideological motives, exploiting socioeconomic vulnerabilities and limited law enforcement capacity.
In response to the attack, residents have expressed deep fear and frustration, with many questioning when, or if, a return to normalcy is possible. Families in Kasuwan-Daji reported significant psychological trauma as they recover bodies and tend to the wounded, with entire households uprooted or displaced. Some eyewitnesses said security forces were not present during the assault and only arrived after the violence had subsided, a criticism that resonates with broader complaints about protection gaps in rural Nigeria.
National authorities have condemned the raid, with President Bola Tinubu emphasising the urgency of intensifying counter-terrorism and banditry suppression efforts. In a statement released following the attack, the president called for concerted action by security agencies to track down perpetrators, rescue abductees and bring those responsible to justice. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting state efforts to stabilise violence-affected regions.
Security experts working on Nigeria’s instability challenges say the attack reflects the adaptability of armed groups who often strike with impunity when state presence is weakest. They have called for a more aggressive posture that includes improved intelligence, sustained patrols, better community engagement, and socioeconomic interventions aimed at reducing the appeal of militancy and banditry in vulnerable areas.
The international community has also voiced concern about the escalating threat to civilians in Nigeria’s rural heartlands, particularly as attacks continue despite the mobilisation of national security forces and community trackers. Human rights observers warn that without a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond reactive operations, innocent Nigerians will remain at risk, and the prospects for sustainable peace will be dim.
As Niger State braces for the immediate aftermath of the attack, local leaders have urged residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with security agencies. They have also called for enhanced deployment of troops and police units to forest areas that have become safe havens for heavily armed gangs. Community elders are appealing for humanitarian support for families who lost loved ones and for trauma counselling to help survivors cope with their experiences.
For parents watching the news of the attack, the juxtaposition with school reopening plans is a sobering reminder of the precarious balance between a desire for normal life and the harsh realities of insecurity. Until meaningful improvements in safety are realised, many communities may continue to feel caught between fear and hope.
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