Gruesome Murder In Niger Market

The horrific murder of more than forty persons at the Kasuwan Daji market in Niger State earlier this month remains another grim reminder of the severe insecurity situation across the country.

Despite repeated assurances from the government that it is tackling the seemingly intractable challenges of insecurity, innocent Nigerians are being killed almost daily by terrorists and other criminals who continue to operate in a brazen manner, which contradicts the government’s claims that the situation is under control.

It seems that only those in government believe the situation is being tamed. An average Nigerian is aware that the nation is far from effectively addressing the challenges of insecurity.

The fact that, in broad daylight, gun-wielding criminals dare to attack a market, kill many, and operate for hours without interference, essentially reinforced the widespread belief that the government is merely paying lip service to the issue of insecurity.

What happened in Niger State looks like a horror movie scene. Terrorists attacked a market, tied and slaughtered no fewer than 30 traders before moving through the community, shooting and setting fire to homes, and killing more residents. That attack was indeed a sad way of starting a new year.

How could the attackers operate for so long without security operatives storming the market to confront them? Could residents have failed to inform even a nearby police station? What is the level of security deployment in the area since the Papiri school incident occurred?

When, even though we are not at war, people cannot move freely—whether to go to the farm or market, or to engage in any meaningful economic activity—then there is every reason to worry. Those killed in the Niger Market attacks included breadwinners whose families depended on them for almost everything. They included children who are the sole source of joy for their parents. They are hardworking Nigerians whose only offence was going to the market.

Residents said that the attackers stormed the market from their Kainji National Park hideout. This suggests that their hideout is well-known. Therefore, if their hideout is not hidden from the residents and, by extension, the security forces, why have there been no concerted efforts to flush them out of the forest?

The proximity of Kasuwan Daji to Papiri in Agwara LGA, where over 200 pupils and students of St. Mary’s Catholic School were kidnapped on 21 November 2025, underscores the importance for the government to be transparent about rescue efforts. When the government announces a rescue from abductors but remains silent on whether the abductors had been apprehended, it gives room for suspicion and conspiracy theories, including allegations that ransom was paid for the release of the schoolchildren.

These attackers stormed the market, killed, maimed, looted, and reportedly took away foodstuffs and valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market alight, leaving a trail of wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth as residents held mass funerals for the victims.

Niger State has experienced numerous killings and abductions of its residents by terrorists, and each time such a tragic event occurs, the government’s response is to condemn it, only for the nation to wait until another incident happens.

Not surprisingly, when the Kasuwan Daji tragedy occurred, President Bola Tinubu condemned it and instructed security officials to track down the gunmen and rescue the hostages. This has always been the directive each time such killings happen, and the fact that this tragedy continues to occur clearly shows that we are going in circles.

We have repeatedly emphasised the need for the government to strengthen its efforts in tackling the seemingly intractable security situation across the country. The fact that safeguarding life and property is the primary purpose of government cannot be disputed. If Nigerians were asked to choose between a government that prioritises infrastructure development and one that prioritises security, the decision would not be difficult.

As a newspaper, we empathise with those who lost loved ones in the Niger Market attack and wish those receiving treatment a swift recovery. However, sympathy alone is not enough. Those responsible for providing community security must be held accountable. The government needs to set an example by holding people accountable.

But most importantly, the Nigerian government must reassess its strategy for addressing insecurity. Disasters like the one in Niger State and others have shown that previous efforts have been unsuccessful. There is an urgent need to adopt new tactics. Time is running out!