By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that armed bandits set ablaze the divisional police station in Agwara town, headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of Sunday.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed that the attackers stormed a nearby United Methodist Church (UMC) and abducted worshippers during the raid.
According to police, the incident occurred at about 3:40 a.m. when the bandits invaded Agwara community and attacked the police station.
SP Abiodun said the officers on duty, supported by a tactical team, engaged the assailants in a gun duel but were eventually overpowered.
He disclosed that the attackers used suspected dynamite to set the police station ablaze before moving to other parts of the town.
“The terrorists later moved to the UMC church in the community, burnt part of the church, proceeded to other areas and abducted about five persons whose identities are yet to be ascertained,” the police spokesperson said.
However, local sources identified the victims as the former Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Agwara LGA, Malam Ahmed Burade, his wife and four of their children.
The sources said Malam Ahmed reportedly escaped during the exchange of gunfire between the attackers and members of a local vigilante group, while his nursing wife and four children were taken away.
It was further gathered that after leaving Agwara town, the bandits attacked Sokonbara community, where they allegedly killed a woman and carted away assorted food items and other valuables.
The Niger State Police Command said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to rescue the abducted victims and restore calm to the affected communities.
