JUST IN: Many kidnapped as bandits burn church, police station in Niger

Several residents were reportedly abducted after gunmen, suspected to be bandits, attacked Sokombara community in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, setting ablaze a police station and a UMC church.

The attack took place in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Sokombara is the same community where about 300 pupils, students and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School were kidnapped last year, heightening renewed fears over insecurity in the area.

Confirming the incident, the state police public relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the bandits stormed the police station at about 3:40 a.m. He stated that a police tactical team confronted the attackers but was eventually overpowered.

According to him, the assailants used suspected dynamite to set the police station on fire before proceeding to the church, where part of the building was burnt. He added that the bandits later moved to other parts of the community and abducted about five persons, whose identities had yet to be confirmed.

An eyewitness said the attackers arrived in the town around 2 a.m., parked their motorcycles a few kilometres away and trekked into the community. He explained that they first targeted the police station, forcing the few officers on duty to flee before setting the facility ablaze.

The eyewitness added that the gunmen later went from house to house, looting food items and other valuables, before heading to the church, where they gathered benches, poured petrol on them and set the structure on fire.

It was learnt that a monthly vigil was ongoing at the church when the attack occurred, but worshippers reportedly escaped after receiving information about the bandits’ arrival.

Reverend Yakubu Yohanna of the church confirmed the incident, stating that no life was lost as members fled into hiding before the attackers reached the church.

“They came to the town and also visited our church. They didn’t meet anybody, but they burnt down the building and everything inside,” he said, adding that members were gradually returning to assess the extent of the damage.

Police authorities said the situation is under control and that further updates would be provided as events unfold.

Agwara has recorded repeated bandit attacks in recent times, including the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, who were later released.