Suspected armed bandits have attacked Agwara community in Niger State, setting ablaze a police station and part of a church while abducting several residents in the early hours of Sunday.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command said the attackers stormed the Agwara Police Station at about 3:40 a.m. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna.
According to Abiodun, officers attached to the station, supported by a tactical team, engaged the assailants upon their arrival. However, the attackers reportedly overpowered the security personnel and went on to set the facility on fire using suspected dynamite.
After destroying the police station, the bandits moved to the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the same community, where they burnt part of the church structure before advancing to other parts of Agwara.
The police spokesman said the attackers also kidnapped about five persons during the operation, noting that the identities of the victims were yet to be confirmed as of press time.
He added that security agencies have since launched investigations into the attack and intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of those abducted.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and further developments will be communicated in due course,” Abiodun said.
Residents of the community have been left in shock following the incident, as authorities move to restore calm and strengthen security in the area.
