Rising violence in Niger state leaves dozens dead and many abducted amid security gaps
Gunmen attacked Kasuwan-Daji and nearby communities in Niger state, killing dozens and abducting residents, amid violence including a church attack near Kontagora and Papiri kidnappings.
Overview
Gunmen struck Kasuwan-Daji and nearby villages in Niger state, firing indiscriminately, burning homes, and abducting residents, with locals counting at least 37 dead and many others missing.
Residents say security forces have not arrived to search for hostages, contradicting police statements of deployment as insecurity worsens in remote communities.
In Kontagora Diocese, gunmen killed more than 40 people and abducted children, according to church spokesman Stephen Kabirat, underscoring attacks extending beyond villages to religious sites.
Witnesses say attackers had lurked near communities for about a week before the assault, exploiting limited security presence in Nigeria's most populous country.
Experts say rogue gangs use abandoned forest reserves, such as the National Park Forest near Kabe district, as hideouts fueling raids like Kasuwan-Daji and Papiri school kidnappings.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the incident with minimal editorializing, drawing on officials, a BBC Hausa journalist, and witnesses to recount events; they describe the attackers as bandits, note the government classifies them as terrorists, and provide context about a spike in violence and a prior mass kidnapping, without advocating policy changes.
Sources (11)
FAQ
Gunmen attacked Kasuwan-Daji and nearby villages in Niger state, firing indiscriminately, burning homes, killing at least 37 people, and abducting many residents.
Residents report that security forces have not arrived to search for hostages, despite police statements claiming deployment, highlighting gaps in response.
Yes, gunmen killed over 40 people and abducted children in a church attack in Kontagora Diocese, and there were kidnappings in Papiri.
Attackers lurk near communities for days, exploiting limited security in remote areas, and use abandoned forest reserves like National Park Forest near Kabe as hideouts.
History
6 sources