Nigeria Violence: Police Station Set Ablaze, Church Burned, Five Abducted

Image: Jihad Watch

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed a brazen and coordinated attack on Agwara community in Niger State, where suspected bandits launched an early-morning assault that resulted in the destruction of public and religious property and the abduction of several residents.

According to police authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 3:40 a.m. on Sunday, when armed assailants stormed the Agwara Police Station, triggering a violent confrontation with officers on duty. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed in a statement issued in Minna that a police tactical team responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle in an attempt to repel the assault.

Despite the resistance, the attackers reportedly overpowered the security personnel and went on to set the police facility ablaze. The police spokesperson stated that the assailants allegedly deployed explosives, suspected to be dynamite, to ignite the fire, leading to significant damage to the station and further undermining security presence in the area.

Following the attack on the police station, the bandits allegedly proceeded to the United Methodist Church (UMC) within the same community, where they set part of the church building on fire, causing additional destruction and heightening fear among residents.

The attackers were also reported to have moved into other parts of Agwara community, where they kidnapped at least five individuals during the raid. As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted victims had not yet been confirmed.

The incident has further raised concerns over the growing insecurity in parts of Niger State, as authorities continue investigations and efforts to track down the perpetrators and rescue the abducted residents.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)