Bàndits Attàck Niger Town, Touch Police Station, Church; Kïdnap Five Residents

Fear has enveloped Agwara town in Niger State after a pre-dawn raid by armed bandits who targeted a police station, set a church on fire, and abducted at least five people.

The coordinated attack began around 4 am on Thursday as the assailants engaged police officers in a gunfight before overpowering them. Sources indicate the attackers used explosives to set the Agwara Divisional Police Station ablaze.

Following the assault on the station, the gunmen proceeded to the UMC Church within the community, setting parts of the building on fire before moving through the town. A resident, Mallam Hussaini Mohammed, confirmed the attack, stating that panic has led many residents to flee their homes. “Part of the church was burnt, and people are fleeing the town out of fear,” he said.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating it began at approximately 3:40 am. “Armed bandits invaded Agwara community and attacked the Divisional Police Station. The tactical team on ground engaged them, but the attackers used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze after overpowering the officers,” he said.

Abiodun added that the assailants subsequently burned sections of the UMC Church and kidnapped about five individuals, whose identities are yet to be verified. He stated that no lives were lost during the attack and assured that security forces are actively monitoring the situation, with further updates to follow.