Bandits have again ed Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, setting ablaze the divisional police station and a church, while abducting about five villagers during an early Sunday raid.
The occurred in the early hours of Sunday when the assailants overran the Agwara Divisional Police Station before moving to other parts of the community. This is the same area that witnessed the abduction of about 300 pupils, students, and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School last year, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing the region.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the bandits invaded the police station at about 3:40 a.m. He explained that operatives of a police tactical team engaged the ers in a gun battle but were eventually overpowered by the bandits’ superior force.
According to Abiodun, the ers used suspected dynamite to set the police station on fire before proceeding to the United odist Church in the area, where part of the building was also burnt. He added that after the arson s, the bandits moved into the community and abducted about five residents, whose identities were yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
An eyewitness disclosed that the bandits arrived in the town around 2 a.m., parked their motorcycles several kilometres away, and trekked into the community. He said they first ed the police station, forcing the few officers on duty to flee, before setting the facility ablaze. The ers were also said to have gone from house to house, looting foodstuffs and other valuables.
Reverend Yakubu Yohanna of the United odist Church confirmed the on the church, noting that no lives were lost as worshippers fled after receiving information about the bandits’ movement. He said members of the church were still assessing the level of damage.
Police authorities stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that further updates would be provided.
Why are bandits targeting churches? Is nothing sacred to them anymore? This is getting out of hand.
Can we really trust the authorities to protect us if bandits can freely a police station and church? Its a scary world we live in.
Why are bandits targeting innocent villagers? Is there a lack of security measures in place? Its alarming and needs urgent attention.
Do you think the government should implement stricter security measures to combat these bandit s in Niger?
Do you think the government should implement harsher punishments for bandits to deter future s? Its time for action.
Can we really trust the authorities to keep us safe if bandits can just burn down a police station? Soing feels off here.
Is it time for the government to take stronger action against these bandits terrorizing Nigerian villages? Enough is enough.