Bandits burn church and police station in Niger State community, abduct five residents

Bandits have burnt down the Divisional Police Station in Agwara town, headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, raiding a church and kidnapping at least five people in the community.

Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers arrived around 4am on Sunday, February 1, 2026 and engaged the police officers in a gun battle.

They eventually set the police station on fire, and reportedly moved to the UMC Church and some parts of the community, abducting no fewer than five people.

A resident of Agwara town, Mallam Hussaini Mohammed, told the publication on the telephone that part of the church was also set ablaze.

He said the attack had heightened fear in the town, forcing many residents to flee.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack, saying no life was lost.

“On 1/2/26 at about 3.40am, armed bandits invaded Agwara community, attacked the Police station where they were engaged by the tactical team on ground, used suspected dynamite to set the station ablaze, having overpowered the team,” the PPRO said. 

“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. Monitoring continues, further development will be communicated, please.”