Bandits struck Agwara in Niger State early Sunday, burning a police station and church and abducting five residents, prompting ongoing security monitoring.
Bandits have attacked Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, burning the divisional police station and part of a church while abducting about five villagers. Police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun said the attackers struck around 3:40 a.m., overpowered officers, and used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze.
Reverend Yakubu Yohanna confirmed damage to the United Methodist Church, saying, “They came to the town and also visited our church. They didn’t meet anybody, but they burnt down the building and everything inside.” Police said the situation is under monitoring, with further updates expected.
Residents said the attackers arrived on motorcycles around 2 a.m., parking several kilometres away before trekking into the town. An eyewitness said they moved from house to house looting foodstuffs and valuables before fleeing, while worshippers holding an overnight vigil reportedly escaped after receiving warnings of the bandits’ approach.