News|Armed GroupsGunmen kill over 30 in village raid, abduct others in northern NigeriaWitnesses say the attackers drove motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately on the Kasuwan ⁠Daji market in Demo village.

Security Update: Attack in Northern Nigeria

On Sat, Dec 25, 2025, gunmen attacked a village in Niger state, Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 individuals and the abduction of others. The attack took place at the Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village around 4:30 pm local time (15:30 GMT), where stalls were set on fire, and food items were looted.

The attackers, arriving from the National Park Forest along the Kabe district, utilized motorcycles to execute the attack and opened fire indiscriminately, affecting women and children. Local witnesses, including Dauda Shakulle, reported a lack of security presence during and after the incident.

The region has seen similar attacks, with remote communities frequently targeted by armed groups known as "bandits." These groups often exploit expansive forest reserves as hideouts. Niger state has been particularly affected by such violence in recent months, with security forces struggling to maintain order despite ongoing operations.

In a related incident in November, over 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in the Borgu local government area of Niger state. Those victims were released after a month of captivity.

In response to these security challenges, the United States, in collaboration with Nigeria, conducted air strikes targeting ISIL fighters in northwest Nigeria on Dec 25, 2025. These actions followed statements by then-President Donald Trump regarding violence against Christians in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has countered claims of Christians being specifically targeted, indicating that Muslims are also significantly affected by such attacks.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.