Bandits have attacked Agwara town, the headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State, burning down the Divisional Police Station, raiding a church, and abducting at least five residents.
Sources told Daily Trust that the assailants struck around 4 a.m., engaging police officers in a gunfight before setting the station on fire. They then moved to the United Methodist Church (UMC) and other parts of the community, abducting several individuals.
A local resident, Mallam Hussaini Mohammed, said part of the church was also torched, and the attack has sparked widespread fear, causing many residents to flee their homes.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident, stating that no lives were lost. He said, “On 1/2/26 at about 3:40 a.m., armed bandits invaded Agwara, attacked the police station, and used suspected dynamite to set it ablaze after overpowering the tactical team on site. They later moved to UMC Church, burnt part of the building, and abducted about five persons whose identities are yet to be confirmed. Monitoring is ongoing, and further updates will be provided.”
