AGWARA — Suspected terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the Agwara community in Niger State during the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026, killing at least one person and setting critical facilities ablaze.
The attack began at approximately 3:40 a.m. when over 150 heavily armed bandits targeted the Divisional Police Station. Despite a two-hour battle with police tactical teams, the attackers overpowered the officers and used dynamite to blow up the station.
Attacks on Religious Sites
Following the destruction of the police post, the gunmen moved to the
United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) (also referred to as the United Methodist Church), where they set part of the building on fire. Worshippers attending a monthly vigil managed to escape into nearby bushes just before the bandits arrived.
Casualties and Abductions
While the Niger State Police initially stated no lives were lost, local sources and later reports confirmed that one person was killed during the rampage. The bandits also abducted five residents, whose identities are currently being verified.
The attackers reportedly retreated into the expansive Kainji Lake National Park forest after the raid. This latest violence follows a series of deadly attacks in the same local government area, including a massacre in January that claimed 42 lives.
Security Response
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Adamu Elleman, admitted that security forces were “overwhelmed” by the sheer number of terrorists. The army has since been alerted, and joint operations are currently underway to track the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims.
