President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for the terrorists responsible for a deadly attack on communities in Niger State that left more than 40 people dead and many others abducted.

In a statement on Sunday personally signed by him, the President said he had directed 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 to track down the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack and ensure they are brought to justice.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions,” Tinubu said.

“No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. In addition, those who aid, abet or enable them will also be brought to justice,” he added.

The President further ordered the immediate rescue of all abducted victims and directed that security operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near forests, be intensified.

“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 peace for these attacked communities,” Tinubu said, praying for the repose of the victims’ souls.

The presidential directive followed coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on Saturday afternoon in Agwara and Borgu local government areas of Niger State.

According to the Niger State Police Command, the attackers are believed to have emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District before storming Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village via Kabe.

Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the attack began around 4:30 pm and lasted for several hours.

“At about 4:30 pm on Saturday, suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items,” Abiodun said.

He added that the attackers operated with little resistance due to the remoteness of the area, noting that security forces were later deployed.

“A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims. Further developments will be communicated,” he said.

While the police put the death toll at over 30, residents and community leaders said the casualties were significantly higher.

The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr Stephen Kabirat, said no fewer than 40 people were killed during the raid.

“The terrorists have killed over 40 persons and taken some into captivity,” Kabirat said.

“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our Mission House three days ago. They destroyed some religious items, carted away two motorbikes and cash worth over two hundred thousand naira.”

Kabirat added that villagers, including women and children, were among those abducted.

A community source in Agwara Local Government Area, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attacks extended beyond Kasuwan Daji.

“The terrorists attacked communities in Agwara and Borgu, killing no fewer than 42 persons and abducting an unconfirmed number of people, including children,” the source said.

“They have been attacking villages in Agwara for the past week without any opposition. On Saturday alone, they burnt the market at Kasuwan Daji and abducted many people, including students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri.”

The source said 37 people were killed in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, while another five were killed in Kaima village.

According to the source, fear has gripped communities across the area, with residents fleeing to neighbouring villages and across the river for safety.

“This is a serious crisis. The government and security agencies should come to our aid. People are living in fear, and many communities are now deserted,” the source added.

The area has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months. In November 2025, terrorists raided St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, abducting 315 pupils, students and teachers. They were later released after about one month following federal government intervention.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, condemned the killings, describing them as callous, senseless, and a crime against humanity.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Abiodun expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the people of the state.

“I commiserate with the government and people of Niger State over the dastardly attacks by terrorists that left 42 people dead and many others abducted,” he said.

“The cowardly onslaught on innocent citizens going about their lawful business represents a stain on our nation’s conscience. Such brutality must never be allowed to happen again.”

Abiodun urged security agencies to deploy all available resources to track down and prosecute the perpetrators, stressing that the attackers must be “completely crushed” to prevent further bloodshed.

He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for strength for their families.

A financial scandal has rocked CIG Motors Co. Ltd following the termination of the appointment of its Executive Director, Jubril Arogundade, over allegations of financial misappropriation and abuse of authority.

The company confirmed that the matter has been formally referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.

According to PUNCH Newspaper, CIG Motors announced the immediate termination of Arogundade’s appointment, citing the outcome of an internal investigation.

The company said the decision followed a period of suspension and a “comprehensive internal review” into his conduct while in office. The automobile company said, “The findings of the investigation revealed conduct that fell significantly below the company’s governance, compliance, and ethical standards.

“In view of the seriousness of the issues uncovered, management approved the immediate termination of his appointment.”

CIG Motors further disclosed that aspects of the investigation involving alleged financial impropriety have been escalated to law enforcement authorities. “Matters connected to financial misconduct arising from the investigation have been formally referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

The firm further stated that it is “cooperating fully with the authorities as the matter progresses through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.”

The company stressed that the action taken against the former executive reflects its firm position on ethical conduct. “CIG Motors maintains a zero-tolerance stance on financial misconduct and abuse of authority, particularly at the senior management level. Safeguarding institutional integrity and protecting stakeholder interests remain central to our operations.”

Sources within the company said the internal probe examined several transactions and management decisions that allegedly breached established internal controls. While the company declined to provide details, it noted that the process was thorough and guided by its internal governance framework.

CIG Motors also sought to reassure customers, partners, and investors that the development would not disrupt its business. “Operational continuity across the business remains unaffected,” the company said, emphasising that day-to-day activities are proceeding normally despite the Managing Director’s dismissal.

“We will not engage in further public commentary on this matter as it is now before the relevant authorities,” the statement added.

When contacted for his response, Arogundade dismissed reports claiming he was sacked from his position, insisting that he voluntarily resigned on December 2, 2025. He described the reports as misleading and a distortion of the facts surrounding his exit.

Explaining his decision, Arogundade said his resignation followed prolonged and fundamental disagreements over the company’s financial and governance direction.

He added that, “My resignation followed serious concerns about the company’s growing debt profile, weak corporate governance practices, and persistent compliance failures, despite internal safeguards and repeated warnings.”

He stated that he chose to step aside after his concerns were repeatedly raised without meaningful resolution. He further disclosed that longstanding tax compliance issues under the chairmanship of Ms Diana Chen had resulted in enforcement actions by tax authorities, including a reported warrant of distraint involving sums running into several billions of naira.

These issues, he said, were among those that generated deep internal concern. Arogundade also maintained that he is not afraid of any investigation, stressing that while he has not been invited by the EFCC, he is fully willing to cooperate with any lawful inquiry.

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has claimed that he was informed he had been listed for elimination as a Boko Haram figure on the same morning a US military air strike occurred in Nigeria.

In a video published on his Facebook page, Gumi criticised foreign military involvement in Nigeria, arguing that such interventions worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.

“There was a bombing here; the morning it happened, I received a call—I won’t tell you who called me—but I was told a security briefing was taking place and I was listed among those who would be eliminated as Boko Haram,” Gumi said.

“They claim to have come here to fight terrorists, but they are the actual terrorists.”

The cleric also questioned the response of northern political and religious leaders to repeated attacks by Boko Haram and ISIS-linked groups, expressing frustration over what he described as silence and inaction.

“Where are your leaders and what have they done about it?” Gumi asked.

He also criticised religious scholars, accusing them of failing to address false claims made by terrorists.

Gumi added that foreign support for Nigeria in the war against terrorism must not be restricted to Christians alone.

“They attacked us for false claims, and they give support of a certain amount of money to Christians alone. No country will accept that. Either you give support to the entire nation, or we don’t need it,” Gumi said.

“Nobody is talking; they are all afraid to talk. That’s the situation we are in this country.”

On December 25, 2025, the United States carried out air strikes against members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Sokoto.

The operation came weeks after US President Trump warned that the US would go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing Christians”.