February 1, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters Staff Correspondent
AGWARA, Niger State, Nigeria — In a dramatic escalation of insecurity in central Nigeria, Islamic armed terrorists reportedly stormed the town of Agwara on Sunday, overrunning local security installations, setting fire to a police station and a church, and forcing terrified residents to flee as they appealed for urgent government intervention.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts shared with Dalena Reporters, attackers believed to be part of armed bands that have been expanding operations in the North Central region moved into Agwara early in the day, overwhelming local law enforcement and engaging in coordinated acts of destruction. The militants reportedly set fire to the Agwara Police Divisional Headquarters as well as a nearby church building before withdrawing into surrounding bushland.
Sources in the town described scenes of panic as residents took shelter in nearby communities or fled into farmland to escape the assault. “They came with heavy numbers,” one resident said, “and before the local police could respond, they had set fire to the station and the church, and were gone.” While exact casualty figures remain unconfirmed, locals reported injuries and property loss, and expressed mounting fear over repeated attacks in recent weeks.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the spread of armed groups beyond Nigeria’s traditional conflict zones in the northeast, as criminal networks and militants extend their reach into the central belt of the country. Niger State, which borders Kaduna, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory, has increasingly experienced abductions, farm raids and coordinated assaults on security and civilian targets.
Community leaders in Agwara appealed to both state and federal authorities to deploy reinforcements and protect vulnerable towns and villages. In a phone interview with Dalena Reporters, a local youth leader said residents were living in constant fear, adding that repeated attacks had disrupted farming activities and essential services. “People cannot go about their business,” he said. “We need protection and we need it now.
At the time of publication, neither the Niger State Government nor the Nigerian Police Force had issued detailed official statements regarding the attack, casualty figures, or plans for security response. Attempts to reach state security officials for comment were not successful.
The assault on Agwara continues a troubling pattern of insecurity in central Nigeria, where authorities have struggled to contain armed groups that engage in kidnappings, ambushes, and property destruction. Civil society advocates have repeatedly called for enhanced intelligence cooperation, rapid response forces, and improved community protection measures to stem the rising tide of violence.