Again, terrorists attack Niger, burn church, police station

•Abduct worshippers

From John Adams Minna

Terrorists in the early hours of yesterday invaded Agwara town, the headquarters of  Agwara Local Government, Niger State, during which the only police station in the town and the United African Missionary Church( UMCA )were set ablaze .

Unspecified number of worshippers were abducted by the terrorists, who invaded the town in their numbers. The terrorists also carted away food stuff and other essentials after ransacking the town, moving from one  house to another house.

However, as at the time of filing this report, there was  no confirmation of any casualty.

According to witnesses, the fully armed terrorists invaded the town at about 2am, and first parked their motorcycles outside the town before trekking to the town.

Their first point of call was the police station, which they sprayed with petrol and set it ablaze.

It was gathered  that the policemen who were overwhelmed by the large number  of the gunmen  took to their heals.

However,our source could not say if anything was taken away from the police station before setting it ablaze .

It was gathered that from the police station located outside the town, the terrorists moved into the town and burnt down the UMCA church.

It was further gathered  that the worshipers that were taken away were those that held the end of the month night vigil in the church .

Some of the victims  managed to escape into the bush.

There is palpable fear in  the town as the fate of the villagers who ran into the bush is not known as they are yet to return home .

A senior pastor  in the Church,  Reverend Yakubu Yohanna  confirmed the story ,saying,”we are just coming back to the town from our hiding places, but many are still hiding in the bush.So far, no life is  lost, but we are waiting for our people to come out from their hiding to know the true  position of things.”

Either  the police or the state government has made official statement concerning the attack. 

Agwara is the local government from where 230 victims,  including teachers, pupils and students were abducted last year  at Papiri town  before they were later rescued by the Federal Government.