Tinubu Orders Massive Manhunt for Terrorists Behind Niger Market Massacre; Vows Final Crackdown on North-Central Banditry

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the nation’s security forces to go on the offensive, issuing a directive for an immediate and relentless manhunt for the terrorists responsible for the recent massacre at a crowded market in Niger State.

The President’s order follows the tragic events that unfolded when armed groups, locally referred to as bandits, stormed a village market during peak trading hours. The attackers opened fire indiscriminately, claiming the lives of several innocent citizens and setting stalls ablaze before disappearing into the neighboring forest belts.

In a statement released by the State House, President Tinubu expressed deep grief over the loss of life, characterizing the attack as an act of “pure cowardice.” He insisted that the perpetrators must be tracked down, apprehended, and made to face the full weight of the law.

“This administration will not be intimidated by the desperate actions of these agents of darkness,” the President stated. “I have directed the security agencies to utilize all available resources both on the ground and in the air to smoke out these terrorists. We will not stop until the forests they call home are reclaimed for the safety of our farmers and traders.”

The directive has triggered a rapid mobilization of the military and the police. Reports from Niger State indicate that tactical units from Operation Whirl Punch have already begun intensifying patrols and aerial surveillance over known flashpoints in the Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, while mourning with the affected community, noted that the attack appears to be a retaliation for recent successful military strikes against bandit camps in the state. He assured residents that the government would provide medical assistance to the survivors and heighten security around rural markets.

“This is a direct assault on our food security. By attacking our markets, they are attacking the very heart of our survival. The President’s directive is clear, and we will see it through until Niger State is safe again.” — Mohammed Umaru Bago, Governor of Niger State

As the manhunt intensifies, the Federal Government has appealed to residents in the border communities of Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi states to provide timely information to the security agencies. The hunt for the “market killers” is now being treated as a priority national security operation, with the Presidency demanding weekly updates on the progress of the mission.