Tinubu to Military, Police, DSS: Hunt down terrorists behind Kasuwan Daji attack

Says those who aid, abet, or enable terrorist will be caught, brought to justice

Northern Governors condemn Niger market attack

By Mathew Brangyet

President Bola Tinubu has issued a decisive directive to 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 not only track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack but also to ensure their swift apprehension and justice.

In light of the brutal killings of villagers in Niger State by terrorists allegedly fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ airstrike on Christmas Eve, President Tinubu delivered this firm directive on Sunday through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

The President unequivocally condemned the attack on the Kasuwan Daji community and the heinous abduction of women and children.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and to the government and people of Niger State.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our nation, and they will face the full consequences of their criminal actions. We will not tolerate their actions.

“Regardless of who they are or their intentions, they will be hunted down relentlessly.

“Those who aid, abet, or enable them will also be caught and brought to justice,” the President declared firmly.

President Tinubu assured the citizens of Niger State that security agencies are fully mandated to ramp up operations in vulnerable communities, particularly those near forests that serve as hideouts for these criminal elements.

He called on all Nigerians to unite and stand firm in the face of this tragedy, warning against any divisive rhetoric that threatens our national security and unity during this critical time.

“These times demand our collective strength. We must confront these monsters together as one nation. United, we will defeat them and deny them any sanctuary.

“We will reclaim the peace and security of our affected communities,” President Tinubu asserted.

Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has deplored in the strongest terms the dastardly terrorist attack at Kasuwan Daji Market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, describing it as a cruel assault on innocent citizens and a grave threat to peace and livelihoods.

Reports indicate that no fewer than 30 traders, including women and other civilians, were brutally killed, many others abducted, and the market set ablaze during the attack by suspected terrorists.

In a statement on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, expressed shock and outrage over the incident, noting that it had inflicted untold grief on families, disrupted economic activities and unsettled otherwise peaceful communities.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that such senseless acts of terror targeting market women, traders and citizens going about their lawful activities, are morally reprehensible and strike at the very heart of communal harmony and regional economic life.

The NSGF Chairman condemned the perpetrators in unequivocal terms, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and apprehend those responsible and ensure they face justice.

Inuwa extended the forum’s deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the Government and people of Niger State, and all affected communities, while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased, strength for the bereaved, and the swift rescue of those abducted.

The governor assured of the forum’s continued collaboration with federal and security agencies to strengthen security architecture and safeguard lives and livelihoods across the North.

Relatedly, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has expressed sadness over the terrorist attack on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the attack as cruel and nefarious, noting that it resulted in several deaths, kidnappings and destruction of livelihoods.

He extended his deepest sympathies to residents of the affected communities, particularly the victims and their families.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victims of the attack at Kasuwan Daji Market in Sukumbara village included both Muslims and Christians from different communities in the area.

Bago said it was disturbing and worrying to begin the year with such unfortunate incidents.

He urged residents to remain steadfast in faith, assuring them that his administration was collaborating with the Federal Government and security agencies to improve security in the affected areas.

The governor added that a joint security team was already on the trail of the terrorists with a view to rescuing the abducted victims.

Bago prayed that God would repose the souls of the departed, secure the release of those kidnapped, heal the injured and restore livelihoods destroyed by the attack.