President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full-blown security rescue mission that must not spare the attackers after some 42 people, including women and children, were killed by terrorists in multiple attacks in Niger State this weekend.
The terrorists stormed Kasuwan Daji and Kaima communities, on Saturday, and residents said an unspecified number of villagers were whisked away into Kainji National Park.
“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.
Those kidnapped include some students of Papiri missionary school who had recently regained their freedom from a previous abduction.
Speaking via a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President 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.
President Tinubu issued the directives on Sunday in response to the recent killings of villagers in Niger State by terrorists suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ air strike on Christmas Eve.
The President strongly condemned the attack on the Kasuwan Daji Community and the abduction of women and children.
He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Niger State.
President Tinubu assured the people of Niger State that security agencies have been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near the forests that have served as hideouts for criminal elements.
He urged Nigerians to remain united and resolute in the face of this tragedy and cautioned against divisive rhetoric that could undermine national security and cohesion during this challenging period.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
The terrorists, according to sources, have occupied Kainji National Park, from where they launch constant attacks on communities within the axis.
Confirming the attacks, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said that at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, the police received reports that suspected bandits attacked and killed over 30 persons and abducted an unconfirmed number of people.
In a statement, Wasiu said, “At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kebe District invaded Kasuwan Daji located at Demo Village via Kebe village and killed over 30 persons, burnt the market and looted shops and carted away food items.
“A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims. Further development will be communicated, please.”
According to natives, the attackers killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another five people in Kaima village and abducted many people, including children and some of the students who had earlier been released.
One resident said: “The government and security agencies should come to our rescue. We have a serious crisis across the River Rofia, from where they cross over from Kebbi State to launch attacks.
“They came out of the forest about a week ago, wreaking havoc in the villages. Just yesterday (Saturday) alone, they burnt one particular market and abducted so many people, including children.”
The Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev Father Stephen Kabirat, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the terrorists had killed over 40 people and taken an unspecified number of people into captivity.
“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our mission house three days ago. They destroyed some religious items in the church, carted away two motorbikes and cash worth over two hundred thousand naira (N200,000).
“They were looking for the priest, but luckily, he escaped, but they abducted some villagers, including children.”
Another villager, while appealing to the relevant authorities, said, “As I am talking to you, some of the villages where the abducted schoolchildren come from have been sleeping in the bushes since their return because of the activities of the terrorists.”
