Armed bandits have attacked Agwara town, the headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State, setting the divisional police station and a church ablaze while abducting at least five residents.
According to sources, the attackers struck around 4:00 a.m., engaging police officers in a gun battle before setting the police station on fire. The bandits reportedly later moved to the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the town and other areas, abducting five people.
A resident, Mallam Hussaini Mohammed, told Daily Trust that part of the church was also destroyed during the attack. He added that the incident had triggered widespread fear in the community, prompting many residents to flee their homes.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said no lives were lost.
He said, “On 1/2/26 at about 3:40 a.m., armed bandits invaded Agwara community, attacked the police station where they were engaged by the tactical team on the ground, and used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze after overpowering the team.
“The terrorists later moved to UMC Church in the community, burnt part of the church, and proceeded to other areas where they abducted about five persons whose identities are yet to be ascertained. Monitoring continues, and further developments will be communicated.”
