Over 40 people, including women and children have been killed and scores kidnaped after terrorists invaded Kasuwa Daji market along the Sokobara–Tunga Demo axis in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident which occurred on Saturday, is the latest in the series of attacks since United States President Donald Trump ordered strikes in terrorists targets in Sokoto, believed to be the coordinating point of ISIS in Nigeria.
In a viral video circulating the social media, dozens of corpses were seen scattered across the market, with signs that shops and surrounding villages had been razed by fire.
Residents said thick smoke rising from Kasuwa Daji could be seen from several neighbouring villages, long before confirmation came that the market and nearby settlements had been attacked and burned.
A representative of the community explained that many victims were first rounded up before being killed.
“So yesterday, we heard about what happened here at Kasuwar Daji. Later, we saw smoke rising from the market. From all the villages around us, we could see the smoke, but we did not know exactly what was happening,” he said.
“Later, people called us and told us that Kasuwar Daji had been burned down, and the villages around the market were attacked and burned.”
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants arrested several residents, shot some on the spot, and tied others with ropes before slaughtering them.
“Many people were arrested; many were shot, and many were captured, tied, and gathered in one place. After that, people were slaughtered like goats, like chickens,” the resident said.
He added that bodies were still being discovered in surrounding bushes and near water sources.
“By the time we arrived and counted the bodies we had found, we were close to forty-two corpses that we had already identified. Now another report has come that yet another body has been discovered in the bush near the water area.”
Residents said the town had been largely deserted, with most people fleeing for fear of further attacks. Those who remained were described as traumatised and uncertain of the fate of missing relatives.
“Many still have not been able to identify their relatives, because they do not know where they are,” the community representative said.
He also confirmed that the attackers abducted women and children while retreating.
“We heard that when they were leaving, they took away wives, some young women, and small children. Up till now, we do not know the number of people taken away,” he said.
Residents expressed anger and frustration over what they described as a complete absence of security forces during and after the massacre.
“Since yesterday evening, around five o’clock, up until this morning, we have not seen any security personnel, not a single one,” he said.
“This is giving us many worries. Parents are crying, and we do not know what situation they will find themselves in.”
The community appealed urgently to the government for intervention, security deployment, and humanitarian assistance.
“We are crying out loudly, appealing to the government to take action and send security personnel to address this calamity,” the resident said. “This matter is too much for rural people to bear. People have lost their homes, and there is great fear everywhere.”
