The suspects reportedly targeted a local village market in Kabe District.

According to local media reports, the attackers burned down the market and looted food items.

Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said a joint security team had visited the scene and that efforts were ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, reported Punch.

“On 03/01/2026 at about 9 p.m., information received revealed that at about 4:30 p.m. of the same date, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, located at Demo village via Kabe, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items,” Abiodun, a Superintendent of Police, told the newspaper.

“Some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated," the top cop said.

The incident occurred just weeks after gunmen kidnapped over 300 school children staff in central Nigeria.

They were later released from captivity.