The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in Niger State has revealed that none of its personnel was killed or seriously wounded when terrorists attacked its personnel stationed at Wawa area of Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
Commandant of the corps in the state, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who revealed this in Minna on Wednesday, said no life was lost, but some sustained minor bruises while manoeuvring to safety.
Aniviye said all personnel involved in the attack had been accounted for and were safe.
“I invited all the personnel after the incident; all of them turned up and they are safe. They are here with us,” he said.
Aniviye said the attackers came in large numbers a few minutes after midnight but could not operate freely due to the alertness and prompt response of personnel on duty.
He said the personnel attempted to repel the attackers, but were overwhelmed by the numerical strength of the terrorists and the darkness in the area.
According to him, the attackers used torch lights to identify approaching persons before opening fire, forcing the personnel to withdraw.
“Our men manoeuvred and took cover, but the attackers fired sporadically because they had several weapons,” he said.
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 said the tyres were later replaced and the vehicle was driven back to the NSCDC headquarters in Minna.
He said 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.
Aniviye said the attackers took away one rifle while its owner was trying to take cover.
He said the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Mr Ahmed Audi, had immediately deployed a tactical team to Niger to comb the area and strengthen security.
According to him, the tactical team is still on ground covering the entire environment, adding that preliminary findings suggest that the terrorists were likely moving from one hideout to another.
