President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for terrorists responsible for the killing of scores of civilians and the abduction of women and children in Niger State.
The directive followed coordinated terrorist attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state.
No fewer than 42 people were reportedly killed in brutal raids on villages and a busy market.
Security forces also intensified counter-terrorism operations that led to the killing of over 50 bandits across Kano, Katsina and Kogi states.
The Niger attack occurred on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market in Sukumbara village.
Reacting yesterday, President Tinubu condemned the killings and kidnappings, describing them as a “grave assault on innocent Nigerians.”
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down the attackers and ensure the immediate rescue of abducted victims.
President Tinubu extended condolences to the families of the victims and the government and people of Niger State, assuring them of the Federal Government’s resolve to restore peace.
He directed security agencies to scale up operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those close to forests used as terrorist hideouts.
The terrorists were said to be fleeing intensified military pressure from air strikes in the Northwest.
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