Armed Bandits Overrun Agwara Town in Niger State, Burn Police Station and Church

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Armed bandits launched a violent assault on Agwara town in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, late Saturday night, overwhelming the community and burning key facilities as residents fled for safety. The attack, confirmed by the Niger State Police Command, unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, leaving the town in a state of fear and uncertainty as security responses struggled to keep pace. 

According to official statements, the assailants invaded the Agwara Police Station at about 3:40 a.m., overpowering the officers on duty and using explosives on the facility before setting it ablaze. Shortly afterward, the bandits proceeded to torched part of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the community, further intensifying the atmosphere of terror among residents.

Video footage circulating on social media shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the main police divisional headquarters and the adjacent church, with terrified civilians captured scrambling to flee as the structures burned. Community members have described chaotic scenes as attackers moved through the town, subjecting residents to intimidation, looting and violence throughout the night.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that several people were abducted during the attack, although exact figures and identities have not yet been released. Abiodun also stated that security agencies are monitoring the situation and have begun investigations to track down the perpetrators and rescue those taken. 

Agwara and surrounding communities have endured repeated assaults by bandit groups in recent weeks and months. Earlier attacks in neighbouring areas, including Kasuwan Daji and other villages within the local government boundaries, resulted in dozens of deaths and widespread abductions, leaving residents displaced and fearful for their safety. Locals have repeatedly called on federal and state authorities for enhanced military presence and sustained security operations to prevent further incursions.

Security analysts say the geography of the region — proximity to forest reserves and the vastness of rural terrain — has enabled criminal networks to launch repeated raids with minimal restraint. Local sources also report that limited coordination among security agencies and inadequate deployment of personnel and resources have hindered rapid responses to such attacks. 

In the wake of the latest assault, community leaders are appealing for urgent reinforcement from the military and other security forces to drive the bandits out of Agwara and safeguard residents attempting to return to their homes. Talks between traditional rulers and state authorities are reportedly underway as the aftermath of the attack continues to unfold. 

As investigations progress and security forces mobilise, the burning of key public facilities in Agwara highlights the persistent vulnerabilities faced by communities in parts of Niger State — even as national authorities pledge to intensify efforts against banditry and restore stability across affected regions. 

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