Bandits Kill One, Abduct Several Others in Attacks on Communities in Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese

Kontagora, 03 February, 2026 / 3:02 PM

Bandits killed one person and abducted several others during coordinated attacks on communities within Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese in the early hours of Sunday, February 1.

In a statement issued Monday, February 2, the Director of Social Communications of the Nigerian Episcopal See provided details about the series of attacks in the Agwara and Mashegu Local Government Areas of Niger State.

“Agwara and Mashegu Local Government Areas of Niger State were thrown into fear and confusion in the early hours of Sunday, February l, 2026, following coordinated attacks by suspected bandits that left one person dead and several others abducted,” Fr. Matthew Stephen Kabirat said.

He added, “In Agwara Local Government Area, the attackers began their assault in the main town by setting ablaze a police station, leaving the security facility badly damaged.”

“They subsequently moved to the residence of Mr. Ahmed Burade, where they abducted his wife, his sister-in-law, and three of his children,” Fr. Kabirat recounted.

He said that Burade narrowly escaped abduction when police operatives attempted to repel the attackers. 

Despite Burade’s escape, the bandits fled with the other victims.

According to Fr. Kabirat, the attackers also targeted the United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) in Agwara, where the building was set on fire, further deepening the shock and devastation within the community. 

The Nigerian Catholic Priest said that following the attacks, many residents fled their homes and sought refuge in nearby bushes and surrounding areas for fear of further violence.

Fr. Kabirat further lamented that the situation “remains tense, with widespread anxiety and uncertainty across the community.”

“Residents have called on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intervene, restore calm, and ensure the safe rescue of those abducted,” the Catholic Priest said.

A similar attack occurred in Tungan Gero, Mashegu Local Government Area, at about 2:00 a.m. the same day, when what was described as “once a peaceful community” was “turned into a scene of terror.”

“Suspected bandits launched a coordinated attack, with a Catholic convent as the primary target,” Fr. Kabirat said, adding that he had received credible information that the attackers opened fire as they advanced toward the convent attached to the Tugan Gero Clinic, both owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. 

Upon hearing sustained gunfire and realizing the imminent danger, the Religious Sisters are said to have fled the convent and hid in nearby bushes. 

Unable to gain access to the Sisters, the assailants redirected their attack to the Diocese-owned clinic, which they ransacked and vandalized, leaving medical equipment scattered and facilities severely damaged.

During the attack,  Fr. Kabirat recounted, travellers moving along the main road drew the attention of the assailants away from the nurses' hostel and toward the vehicles. 

“In the process, one passenger was killed while others were forcibly abducted. Among those kidnapped was Mr. Ishaya Bawa, the clinic's gateman, whose abduction has intensified fear and anxiety among residents and healthcare workers in the community,” the Catholic Priest recounted.

He said, “The violence further escalated as the attackers moved to the UMCA Church in Tugan Gero, where additional persons were abducted.”

“Eyewitnesses reported that the bandits operated freely for several hours before retreating, leaving behind fear, destruction, and deep sorrow,” Fr. Kabirat said.

He said these attacks have raised renewed concerns about the safety of religious communities, healthcare facilities, and rural settlements, “particularly on a Catholic convent, home to Religious Sisters dedicated to healthcare and humanitarian service, was deliberately targeted.”

The latest attacks come amid persistent violence affecting communities within Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese and other parts of the country’s north-central region. 

On 28 December 2025, at least 42 people were killed, and an unknown number of women and children were abducted following a series of coordinated bandit attacks on villages located within the territory of Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese.