- Police Station, Church Set Ablaze as Bandits Strike Niger Community
- Police station and church were burnt, with one elderly woman k!lled.
- At least five residents were abducted as security agencies monitor situation.
Suspected bandits on Sunday attacked Sokombara community in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, setting a police station and a United Methodist Church ablaze, killing an elderly woman and abducting at least five residents.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that residents said the attackers stormed the community in the early hours, looted food items and other valuables, and left several buildings damaged before fleeing the area.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the assailants overpowered officers deployed to the area before setting the police station on fire.
“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,” Abiodun said.
He added that after the attack on the police facility, the gunmen moved to the United Methodist Church in the community, where they burnt parts of the building.
“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 identities were yet to be ascertained,” the police spokesman said.
According to residents, an elderly woman was killed during the attack, while several households were left without food following widespread looting by the assailants.
Abiodun said security agencies were monitoring the situation closely and would provide updates as investigations continued.
The attack is the third major security incident recorded in communities within Agwara Local Government Area since late 2025, following the abduction and eventual release of schoolchildren and staff of Papiri School.
Residents of the area have repeatedly called for increased security presence, expressing concern over recurring attacks and the vulnerability of rural communities in the local government area.
