At least 42 people were killed and an unknown number of women and children abducted after a series of coordinated attacks targeting villages within Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese, according to a statement issued by church officials.
In a Jan. 5 release, Father Matthew Stephen Kabirat, director of social communications for the diocese, said the deadliest attack occurred in Kasuwan Daji, a village in Agwara local government area of Niger State.
“A devastating attack occurred in Kasuwan Daji, a village in Agwara local government, Niger state, as bandits invaded early Sunday morning,” Kabirat said, according to Catholic News Agency. “The attack has left over 40 people killed and several others kidnapped.”
He added that the attackers faced no resistance. “Reports indicate the bandits operated for hours with no security presence.”
Kabirat said the violence was part of a broader wave of attacks that began on December 28, 2025, when “heavily armed bandits riding about 30 motorcycles emerged from their hideout in the Kainji Game Reserve.”
“They crossed into Kebbi state, north of Shafaci, and proceeded to the village of Kaiwa, where they killed five people and set fire to houses and grain stores,” he said, “They then moved on to Gebe, where they killed two more people.”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for those responsible for a deadly attack, and identified the perpetrators as "terrorists."
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” Tinubu said, according to Nigerian outlet Punch.
No group has taken ownership of the attack. No official statement by authorities or government has identified a group as suspects.
According to Kabirat, the attackers continued moving freely across multiple communities. On the evening of January 1, he said, the bandits passed through Shafaci and “burned documents at the police station before spending the night in the bush.”
On the morning of January 2, the group approached Bako-Mission and the Tungan Kure junction near Pissa village. Kabirat said the bandits handed a phone number to residents to be delivered to local leaders.
“At about 10 am that same day, the bandits entered the Catholic church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, pictures of the Stations of the Cross, and musical instruments,” Kabirat said. He added that the attackers “also stole two motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash from the Catholic church in Sakonbora.”
“After leaving Sokonbora, they occupied some Kambari compound nearby, where they spent the rest of that day until the afternoon of the next day, eating the chickens and goats of the people,” he said.
“They set fire to the market and surrounding houses, slaughtering 42 men after tying their arms behind their backs,” he said. “These victims were both Christians and Muslims; they also kidnapped an unknown number of women and children.”
“Panic is now widespread around the villages, where rumors abound,” Kabirat said. “There is not a single large town where people can run to for safety.”
The violence has also affected previously released kidnapping victims. “The Papiri schoolchildren who were recently released are forced to hide in the bush with their families whenever reports indicate that the bandits are nearby, both day and night,” he said.
“There is an immediate need for a large and well-equipped military task force in the area capable of and empowered to pursue, engage, and eliminate the bandits,” he said. “Without such a task force, there will be a massive and ongoing loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people.”
In a Jan. 5 release, Father Matthew Stephen Kabirat, director of social communications for the diocese, said the deadliest attack occurred in Kasuwan Daji, a village in Agwara local government area of Niger State.
“A devastating attack occurred in Kasuwan Daji, a village in Agwara local government, Niger state, as bandits invaded early Sunday morning,” Kabirat said, according to Catholic News Agency. “The attack has left over 40 people killed and several others kidnapped.”
He added that the attackers faced no resistance. “Reports indicate the bandits operated for hours with no security presence.”
Kabirat said the violence was part of a broader wave of attacks that began on December 28, 2025, when “heavily armed bandits riding about 30 motorcycles emerged from their hideout in the Kainji Game Reserve.”
“They crossed into Kebbi state, north of Shafaci, and proceeded to the village of Kaiwa, where they killed five people and set fire to houses and grain stores,” he said, “They then moved on to Gebe, where they killed two more people.”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for those responsible for a deadly attack, and identified the perpetrators as "terrorists."
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” Tinubu said, according to Nigerian outlet Punch.
No group has taken ownership of the attack. No official statement by authorities or government has identified a group as suspects.
According to Kabirat, the attackers continued moving freely across multiple communities. On the evening of January 1, he said, the bandits passed through Shafaci and “burned documents at the police station before spending the night in the bush.”
On the morning of January 2, the group approached Bako-Mission and the Tungan Kure junction near Pissa village. Kabirat said the bandits handed a phone number to residents to be delivered to local leaders.
“At about 10 am that same day, the bandits entered the Catholic church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, pictures of the Stations of the Cross, and musical instruments,” Kabirat said. He added that the attackers “also stole two motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash from the Catholic church in Sakonbora.”
“After leaving Sokonbora, they occupied some Kambari compound nearby, where they spent the rest of that day until the afternoon of the next day, eating the chickens and goats of the people,” he said.
“They set fire to the market and surrounding houses, slaughtering 42 men after tying their arms behind their backs,” he said. “These victims were both Christians and Muslims; they also kidnapped an unknown number of women and children.”
“Panic is now widespread around the villages, where rumors abound,” Kabirat said. “There is not a single large town where people can run to for safety.”
The violence has also affected previously released kidnapping victims. “The Papiri schoolchildren who were recently released are forced to hide in the bush with their families whenever reports indicate that the bandits are nearby, both day and night,” he said.
“There is an immediate need for a large and well-equipped military task force in the area capable of and empowered to pursue, engage, and eliminate the bandits,” he said. “Without such a task force, there will be a massive and ongoing loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people.”
