As the death toll hits over 50, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence and other security agencies to rescue all victims abducted during the Kasuwan Daji attack in Niger State.
Terrorists had on Saturday invaded Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, killing traders, including women. They also looted foodstuffs and other valuables before setting the market on fire.
Sources confirmed that the terrorists stormed the community around 4 pm on Saturday and operated until the early hours of Sunday.
A resident of a neighbouring community, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the bandits also attacked residents in their homes, shot them, and set their houses ablaze.
According to the source, the death toll, including those killed at the market and in their homes, has hit 50, with 43 given a mass burial.
He said many others fled with gunshot wounds.
The source added that the attackers also abducted a yet-to-be-confirmed number of residents, including women and children.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ordered a manhunt for the terrorists, warning that they have tested the resolve of the country and must face the full consequences of their criminal actions.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack, ensuring they are swiftly brought to justice.
“He also directed security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently.” the statement said.
The President, who condemned the attack, also condoled with families of the victims, residents, and the government of Niger State.
He vowed that the attackers and their accomplices must be brought to justice.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the President declared.
He assured that security agencies had been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities to track down the perpetrators.
The President further urged Nigerians to remain united and resolute in the face of the security situation in the country.
“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them, deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities,” he said.
Written with additional reports from Daily Trust
