Bandits have once again attacked Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State, burning down the divisional police station and a church, and abducting about five villagers in an early Sunday raid.
The assailants struck in the early hours of Sunday, overrunning the Agwara Police Station before setting fire to part of the United Methodist Church. The attack occurred in the same community where around 300 pupils, students, and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School were kidnapped last year.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident, saying the bandits stormed the police station around 3:40 a.m. He stated that a police tactical team confronted the attackers but was eventually overwhelmed.
He explained that the bandits used suspected dynamite to set the police station on fire before moving to the church, which they also partially burnt. The attackers then spread to other areas of the community, abducting about five people whose identities are still unknown.
An eyewitness reported that the bandits arrived in the town around 2 a.m., parked their motorcycles a few kilometres away, and walked into the community. He said they attacked the police station first, forcing the few officers on duty to flee, then set the facility on fire.
The eyewitness added that the attackers went from house to house, stealing valuables and food, before reaching the church. There, they gathered benches, poured petrol over them, and set the building ablaze.
It was learnt that a monthly vigil was ongoing at the church during the attack, but worshippers reportedly ran for safety after hearing about the bandits’ arrival.
Reverend Yakubu Yohanna of the church confirmed the assault, saying no lives were lost as members hid before the bandits reached the church.
“They came to the town and also visited our church. They didn’t meet anybody, but they burnt down the building and everything inside,” he said, adding that members were still returning to assess the damage.
Police said the situation remains under surveillance, and updates would be provided as events unfold.
Agwara has recently experienced multiple bandit attacks, including the kidnapping of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, who were later released.
