Tinubu Orders Nationwide Manhunt After Terrorists Kill Over 40 in Niger State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate and comprehensive manhunt for the terrorists responsible for a deadly series of attacks on communities in Niger State that reportedly left more than 40 people dead and several others abducted. The directive follows coordinated assaults carried out on Saturday across parts of Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas, plunging rural communities into mourning and fear.

In a statement personally signed by the President on Sunday, Tinubu described the attacks as a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state and an assault on innocent citizens. He disclosed that he had instructed 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 immediately track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack and ensure they are brought to justice.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people,” Tinubu said. “They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. Those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form will also be identified and brought to justice.”

The President further ordered the immediate rescue of all abducted victims and directed security agencies to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those located close to forests that have become known hideouts for armed groups. He called for unity and collective resolve in confronting what he described as “monsters” threatening national peace and cohesion, while also offering prayers for the repose of the souls of those killed.

The presidential directive followed reports of coordinated attacks by suspected bandits who, according to security sources, emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District before launching an assault on Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village via the Kabe axis. The attackers reportedly struck in the late afternoon, catching residents and traders off guard.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command said the attack began at about 4:30 p.m. and lasted several hours. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that the assailants killed dozens of people, set the local market ablaze, looted shops, and carted away large quantities of food items.

“At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops, and made away with foodstuffs,” Abiodun said. He added that the remoteness of the area and difficult terrain limited immediate resistance, though security forces were later deployed to the scene.

While the police confirmed over 30 deaths, residents, community leaders, and religious authorities insist the casualty figure is significantly higher. The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, said no fewer than 40 people were killed during the raid.

“The terrorists killed over 40 persons and abducted several others, including women and children,” Kabirat said. He also revealed that the Catholic Mission House in the area had been attacked days earlier, with religious items destroyed and property, including motorcycles and cash, stolen. According to him, the parish priest narrowly escaped abduction.

Community sources further disclosed that the violence extended beyond Kasuwan Daji, affecting multiple villages in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas. One resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers had operated with alarming freedom over the past week, burning villages, abducting residents, and killing dozens without significant opposition.

Fear has since spread across the region, with many residents fleeing to neighbouring villages or crossing rivers in search of safety. Entire communities are reported to be deserted, as families abandon their homes amid growing uncertainty.

The latest attack revives painful memories of previous incidents in the area. In November 2025, terrorists stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, abducting 315 pupils, students, and teachers. They were eventually released after about one month following federal intervention.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, condemned the killings, describing them as callous, senseless, and a crime against humanity. In a statement issued in Abeokuta, he expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the people of the state.

“The cowardly attack on innocent citizens going about their lawful business is a stain on our national conscience,” Abiodun said, urging security agencies to deploy all available resources to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down, prosecuted, and completely dismantled to prevent further bloodshed.

As investigations and security operations continue, the attacks have reignited national concern over persistent insecurity in forest-bordering communities and renewed calls for more proactive, intelligence-driven, and preventive security measures across Nigeria.