By Kevin Akor
MINNA, Nigeria — Armed bandits attacked Agwara town in Niger State early Sunday, setting a divisional police station ablaze, burning part of a church and abducting at least five residents, police said.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, according to the Niger State Police Command. No deaths were recorded during the incident.
Confirming the attack, the police spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the assailants overpowered security personnel stationed at the divisional headquarters.
“On 1/2/26 at about 3:40 a.m., armed bandits invaded Agwara community and attacked the police station, where they were engaged by the tactical team on ground,” Abiodun said. “The attackers used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze after overpowering the team.”
He said the assailants later moved to the United Methodist Church in the community, where they set part of the building on fire, before advancing to other parts of the town.
“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,” Abiodun said.
He added that security agencies have intensified monitoring and response efforts in the area.
“Monitoring continues. Further development will be communicated,” Abiodun said.
