Bandits kill one, burn church, police station in Niger raid

Minna, Niger State – Suspected bandits have launched a violent early-morning attack on the Agwara community in Niger State, killing one person, burning down a police station and part of a church, and abducting several residents, police confirmed on Sunday., February 1, 2026.
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‎The Niger State Police Command said the assault occurred at about 3:40 a.m. when the gunmen stormed the Agwara Divisional Police Station.
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‎Officers on duty engaged the attackers, but the assailants overpowered them and used what police described as suspected dynamite to set the facility ablaze.
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‎After destroying the police station, the gunmen moved to the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the community, where they burnt part of the church building.
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‎ During the raid, the assailants were reported to have abducted about five people. So far, the identities of the victims have not been confirmed.
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‎State police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said security agencies were already monitoring the situation and had launched investigations to track the perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted residents.
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‎The attack underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of north-central Nigeria, where communities have faced repeated raids by armed groups. Authorities have been under pressure to bolster protection and stem the cycle of violence.