Tinubu Orders Military to Hunt Terrorists Behind Niger Attack

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered the military, police, and intelligence agencies to track down and arrest those responsible for the deadly attack on the Kasuwan Daji community in Niger State.

In a statement released on Sunday, January 4, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the assault on the Kasuwan Daji community and described the abduction of residents as unacceptable.

The directive applies to 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).

Tinubu also instructed security agencies to urgently rescue women and children abducted during the attack.

The President’s order followed the killing of villagers by terrorists suspected to have fled into Niger State from Sokoto and Zamfara states after a United States air strike on Christmas Eve.

He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and to the government and people of Niger State, while vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The President stated that the attackers had challenged the resolve of the country and would face the full consequences of their actions, stressing that anyone involved in the violence, including those who aided or supported them, would be apprehended.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the President stated.

He further assured residents that security agencies had been directed to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those close to forests believed to serve as hideouts for criminal groups.

He called on Nigerians to remain united in the face of the tragedy and warned against divisive rhetoric that could weaken national peace or undermine security efforts.

The President urged citizens to stand together to reclaim peace in affected communities and deny criminal groups any haven.

“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them and deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities.”