The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has confirmed a terrorist attack on its personnel stationed at Wawa area of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Commandant of the Corps in the state, Mr Suberu Siyaka-Aniviye, who confirmed the incident while briefing newsmen in Minna on Wednesday, said that the attackers came in large numbers a few minutes after midnight but were unable to operate freely due to the alertness and prompt response of personnel on duty.
The commandant explained that the personnel attempted to repel the attackers, but the situation became difficult due to the numerical strength of the terrorists and the darkness in the area.
According to him, the attackers used torchlights to identify approaching persons before opening fire, forcing the personnel to tactically manoeuvre and take cover.
“Our men manoeuvred and took cover, but the attackers fired sporadically because they had several weapons,” he said.
Siyaka-Aniviye said the personnel abandoned their operational vehicle while moving to safety, but the attackers assumed they were still inside and shot repeatedly at it.
He said the vehicle was riddled with bullets, with its windscreen damaged and all four tyres punctured.
The commandant added that the tyres were later replaced and the vehicle was driven back to the NSCDC headquarters in Minna.
He further disclosed that the terrorists looted some personal belongings during the attack.
“They went into huts and carted away luggages containing clothes, mobile phones and other gadgets,” he said.
