Residents Cry for Help as Terrorists Burn Police Headquarters, Churches in Niger State

Residents of Agwara community in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have raised alarm following a deadly overnight attack by armed terrorists who set key public and religious buildings ablaze.

The assailants reportedly stormed the community around midnight, burning down the Agwara Police Divisional Headquarters and the First United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA), throwing the town into chaos as residents fled for safety.

Confirming the incident in a security alert on Sunday, security analyst Bakatsine disclosed that heavily armed bandits overran the town, overpowering any resistance and operating freely for several hours.

According to residents, the attackers are still believed to be in and around the area, continuing to intimidate civilians amid an apparent delay in security response. They lamented the absence of security operatives during and after the attack, despite repeated distress calls.
Videos circulating on social media show the charred remains of the police headquarters and the UMCA church, both destroyed during the coordinated assault, which reportedly lasted into the early hours of Sunday.

Many residents now fear a follow-up attack, as no visible security reinforcement has been deployed to the community.

Meanwhile, in a related development, it was earlier reported that an aircraft allegedly operated by the Nigerian Air Force under Operation Fansan Yamma struck Kurgi community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The airstrike reportedly killed two people, left three others with amputated limbs, and severely injured six more, triggering panic and forcing residents to flee to neighbouring communities.
Community sources claimed that the strike affected both Muslims and Christians, alleging that the aircraft fired bombs and bullets indiscriminately at civilians.
“One man was sitting in front of a church when he sighted the aircraft and started running. He was struck by a bullet on the left side of his stomach,” a source said.
A local resident described the incident as “shocking and unprovoked,” calling on authorities to urgently investigate the incident and provide medical assistance to those injured.