BREAKING: Bandits launch major attack in Niger, burn police station, church, kidnap residents

Armed bandits have attacked Agwara town, the headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State, setting ablaze the Divisional Police Station, burning part of a church and abducting at least five residents.

Sources said the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday, arriving around 4am and engaging police officers in a gun battle.

After overpowering the officers, the assailants reportedly set the police station on fire before moving to the UMC Church and other parts of the town, where no fewer than five people were kidnapped.

A resident of Agwara, Mallam Hussaini Mohammed, said part of the church was also burnt during the attack.

He added that the incident has thrown the community into fear, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said no life was lost in the attack.

According to him, “On 1/2/26 at about 3.40am, armed bandits invaded Agwara community, attacked the Police station where they were engaged by the tactical team on ground, used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze, having overpowered the team.

“The terrorists later moved to UMC church in the community, burnt part of the church, proceeded to other areas and abducted about five persons whose identity is yet to be ascertained. Monitoring continues, further development will be communicated, please.”

(DAILY TRUST)