Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Nigerian federal lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, has strongly condemned the violent attack on Kasuwan Daji Market in Niger State, describing the incident as a painful reflection of Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
The attack occurred on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the busy Kasuwan Daji Market located in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, a largely agrarian region in North Central Nigeria. According to reports, no fewer than forty two people, including women and traders, lost their lives when armed bandits stormed the marketplace during commercial activities.
Okay News reports that eyewitness accounts indicated the attackers arrived in large numbers, firing indiscriminately at traders and residents, setting sections of the market ablaze, looting food items, and abducting an unspecified number of civilians before fleeing the scene.
Reacting to the tragedy in a statement issued in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, on Monday, January 5, 2026, through her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the incident as “heartbreaking, senseless, and a tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting many Nigerian communities.”
“My heart is heavy as I mourn the innocent men and women who were brutally murdered at Kasuwan Daji Market,” the senator said. “These were ordinary Nigerians going about their lawful activities, only to be cut down by evil forces that have no regard for human life.”
She extended her condolences to families affected by the violence and to the people and government of Niger State, noting that the emotional and economic consequences of the attack would be long lasting.
“I sympathise profoundly with the families who have lost loved ones in this cruel attack,” she stated. “No words can truly heal such pain, but I pray that God grants the families the strength and comfort to bear these irreparable losses.”
Beyond the immediate loss of lives, the senator raised concerns about the broader impact of the attack, particularly the destruction of a critical commercial hub and the reported abduction of civilians.
“The burning of the market and the kidnapping of innocent citizens further deepen the trauma on these communities,” she said. “This cycle of violence must not be allowed to continue unchecked.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and national security agencies to take swift and decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent future attacks, stressing that rural communities were increasingly vulnerable.
“I call on the Federal Government and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently in apprehending those responsible. Our people deserve protection, and criminals terrorising our communities must be confronted with the full weight of the law,” she said.
She further emphasised the need for a proactive, intelligence driven security strategy to restore confidence among citizens, adding that Nigeria must not accept violent tragedies as a norm.
“Nigeria cannot afford to normalise these tragedies. Protecting lives and property is the foremost duty of any government, and urgent steps must be taken to restore peace and confidence among our people,” she added.
Security authorities later confirmed the incident, with Niger State Police officials stating that suspected bandits emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District, invaded the market, looted shops, and set structures on fire.
In response, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ordered the military, the Nigeria Police Force, and the State Security Service to track down those responsible and rescue all abducted victims. The President warned that the perpetrators “must face the full consequences of their criminal actions.”
