The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has confirmed a terrorist attack on its personnel stationed at the Wawa area of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Suberu Siyaka-Aniviye, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Minna on Wednesday, saying the assailants stormed the outpost in large numbers shortly after midnight.
He said the attackers, however, could not operate freely due to the alertness and swift response of personnel on duty, noting that officers attempted to repel the assault despite being outnumbered and hampered by poor visibility.
The commandant explained that the situation became more challenging due to the numerical strength of the terrorists and the darkness in the area, which limited effective resistance by the personnel.
According to him, the attackers used torchlights to identify approaching persons before opening fire, forcing officers to tactically withdraw and seek cover.
“Our men manoeuvred and took cover, but the attackers fired sporadically because they had several weapons,” he said.
Siyaka-Aniviye added that the personnel abandoned their operational vehicle while moving to safety, but the attackers mistakenly believed they were still inside and opened sustained fire on it.
He said the vehicle was riddled with bullets, with its windscreen shattered and all four tyres punctured, adding that the tyres were later replaced and the vehicle driven back to the NSCDC headquarters in Minna.
The commandant further disclosed that the attackers looted some personal belongings during the incident.
“They went into huts and carted away luggages containing clothes, mobile phones and other gadgets,” he said.