Borgu: At least 30 people were killed when armed men attacked a busy market in central Niger State, police and local residents said on Saturday.
The attack happened at the Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, near Borgu local government area. According to police, the gunmen arrived on motorcycles in the afternoon and opened fire on traders and shoppers. Several market stalls were set on fire during the raid.
Local residents said the attackers also kidnapped a number of people, although the exact number is still unclear. Some villagers said the death toll could rise as more bodies were found after the attackers fled the area.
Police described the assailants as bandits, a term commonly used for armed criminal groups operating in parts of central and northern Nigeria. These groups often carry out attacks on villages and markets, as well as kidnappings for ransom.
Witnesses said there was no immediate security presence at the market when the attack began, leaving people to flee on their own. Many survivors escaped into nearby bushes to save their lives.
Authorities said security forces have been deployed to the area and efforts are underway to track down the attackers and rescue those who were abducted. The government has condemned the attack and promised to strengthen security in the region.
Niger State has seen repeated violence in recent years as armed groups take advantage of poor security and difficult terrain. Markets and rural communities remain frequent targets, raising fears among residents about their safety and livelihoods.