Tragedy struck central Nigeria as armed assailants attacked a rural market, leading to the deaths of numerous individuals and the abduction of several others, according to local police reports released on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the grim toll, stating, “Over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, and some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims,” as reported by Reuters.

The assault occurred at the Daji market in Demo village, located in Nigeria’s Niger state. Around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the attackers stormed the area, setting market stalls ablaze and seizing food supplies in their wake.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, as the gunmen arrived on motorcycles before launching their assault, opening fire and spreading panic among the residents and traders.

The Kura market in Minna, Niger state, Dec. 1, 2025. (Light Oriye Tamunotonye/AFP via Getty Images)

Locals said the assault followed earlier raids in neighboring villages, including Agwarra and Borgu, that began Friday.

Dauda Shakulle, who was wounded while fleeing, told Reuters that not even women or children were spared.

“There has been no presence of security forces since the attacks began. We are currently recovering corpses,” said Shakulle.

The Nigerian Police Force did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about the incident.

Freed students and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School arrive at the government house in Minna, Nigeria, Dec. 22, 2025. (Sunday Alamba/AP)

The attack comes amid a wave of mass kidnappings across Nigeria in recent months, including the abduction of 25 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State in November and the seizure of more than 300 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Niger state.

The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), a Catholic religious congregation, later confirmed that all those abducted from the school have since been safely released. 

“From the first hours of the abduction, the OLA family—together with the local Church in the Diocese of Kontagora, the families of Papiri, and communities across Nigeria—was upheld by a remarkable global solidarity of prayer and advocacy. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to all who stood with us during this painful time,” said Sister Mary Barron, the congregation leader of the OLA Sisters.

A signboard for St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School stands at the entrance of the school in Papiri, Niger state, Nov. 23, 2025. (Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye/AFP via Getty Images)

Growing insecurity and insurgent violence in northern Nigeria are driving hunger to record levels, with nearly 35 million people projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The WFP warned in November that unchecked hunger during the lean season, the pre-harvest period when food supplies are often at their lowest, could further destabilize the region by allowing insurgent groups to exploit desperation and expand their influence.