Massacre at Nigerian market leaves more than 30 dead as gunmen torch stalls, kidnap others

Dozens of radical were killed and respective others kidnapped erstwhile equipped attackers raided a agrarian marketplace successful cardinal Nigeria, constabulary said Sunday.

"Over 30 victims mislaid their lives during the attack, and immoderate persons were besides kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims," constabulary spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said, according to Reuters.

Abiodun said the gunmen stormed the Daji marketplace successful Demo colony successful Nigeria’s Niger State astatine astir 4:30 p.m. Saturday, torching stalls and seizing nutrient supplies.

Witnesses reported seeing the gunmen thrust into the country connected motorcycles earlier opening fire.

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A wide presumption of the Kura marketplace successful Minna, Niger state, Nigeria, Dec. 1, 2025. (Light Oriye Tamunotonye / AFP via Getty Images)

Locals said the battle followed earlier raids successful neighboring villages, including Agwarra and Borgu, that began Friday.

Dauda Shakulle, who was wounded portion fleeing, told Reuters that not adjacent women oregon children were spared.

"There has been nary beingness of information forces since the attacks began. We are presently recovering corpses," said Shakulle.

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The Nigerian Police Force did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for remark astir the incident.

Freed students and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School successful the Papiri assemblage get astatine the authorities location successful Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Sunday Alamba/AP)

The onslaught comes amid a question of wide kidnappings crossed Nigeria successful caller months, including the abduction of 25 girls from a boarding schoolhouse successful Kebbi State successful November and the seizure of much than 300 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School successful Niger State.

The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), a Catholic spiritual congregation, aboriginal confirmed that each those abducted from the schoolhouse person since been safely released. 

"From the archetypal hours of the abduction, the OLA family—together with the section Church successful the Diocese of Kontagora, the families of Papiri, and communities crossed Nigeria—was upheld by a singular planetary solidarity of supplication and advocacy. We widen our deepest and astir heartfelt gratitude to each who stood with america during this achy time," said Sister Mary Barron, the congregation person of the OLA Sisters.

A signboard for St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School stands astatine the entranceway of the schoolhouse successful Papiri, Agwarra section authorities area, Niger state, Nigeria, Nov. 23, 2025. (Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP via Getty Images)

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Growing insecurity and insurgent unit successful bluish Nigeria are driving hunger to grounds levels, with astir 35 cardinal radical projected to look terrible nutrient insecurity during the 2026 thin season, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The WFP warned successful November that unchecked hunger during the thin season, the pre-harvest play erstwhile nutrient supplies are often astatine their lowest, could further destabilize the portion by allowing insurgent groups to exploit desperation and grow their influence.