The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s ruling political party, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attacks on several communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, north central Nigeria, which resulted in the deaths of more than 40 residents and the abduction of numerous others, including women and children.
Professor Yilwatda described the coordinated assaults, which occurred on Saturday, as “barbaric, inhumane, and utterly unacceptable,” stressing that the attacks constituted a direct threat to Nigeria’s national unity, internal security, and shared moral values.
Okay News reports that the condemnation was contained in an official statement issued on Monday by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to the All Progressives Congress National Chairman.
According to the statement, the party leader expressed deep concern over persistent violence across multiple communities, including Kasuwan Daji and Kaima, where villagers were reportedly killed, markets were set ablaze, homes and places of worship destroyed, and pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, a rural settlement within Niger State.
The attacks came a day after Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the country’s elected Head of State and Government, ordered an immediate manhunt for those responsible for the violence.
In a statement personally signed by President Tinubu on Sunday, he disclosed that he had directed Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, all Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director General of the Department of State Services to track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack and ensure their prosecution.
Professor Yilwatda also conveyed the ruling party’s sympathy to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the state government, and affected families, describing the losses as “painful and irreparable.”
“This senseless violence against innocent citizens is an affront to our shared humanity. The All Progressives Congress stands firmly with the people of Niger State in this moment of grief and assures them that they are not alone,” he stated.
Commending President Tinubu’s swift response, Yilwatda noted that the directive to rescue all abducted victims demonstrated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Nigeria.
He further disclosed that intelligence assessments suggest the attackers are terrorists fleeing intensified military pressure in Sokoto State and Zamfara State, north western Nigeria, following a United States military airstrike carried out on Christmas Eve.
According to him, Nigeria’s security architecture has been placed on high alert to prevent the spread of violence into other regions.
“The All Progressives Congress fully supports President Bola Tinubu’s resolute actions and renewed determination to end terrorism and banditry in our country,” he said. “This administration has demonstrated strong political will, enhanced coordination among security agencies, and a commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks.”
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command confirmed that the attackers allegedly emerged from a forest reserve within the National Park along Kabe District before advancing into Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village.
Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the attack began around 4:30 in the afternoon and lasted several hours.
“At about 4:30 pm on Saturday, suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.
