Suspected terrorists attacked personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, in the early hours of Wednesday, the corps has confirmed.
NSCDC State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka-Aniviye, briefed journalists in Minna, assuring that no lives were lost in the attack.
He said the assailants, who came in large numbers shortly after midnight, were prevented from operating freely due to the alertness and swift response of officers on duty.
“The attackers used torchlights to identify approaching persons before opening fire. Our men manoeuvred and took cover, but the attackers fired sporadically because they had several weapons,” Mr Siyaka-Aniviye said.
During the incident, personnel had to abandon their operational vehicle while seeking safety.
The attackers, mistakenly believing the officers were still inside, riddled the vehicle with bullets, shattering its windscreen and puncturing all four tyres.
The vehicle was later repaired and returned to NSCDC headquarters in Minna.
The commandant revealed that the assailants looted personal belongings, including clothes, mobile phones, and other gadgets, and stole one rifle during the encounter.
Despite the attack, no officer was killed, and only minor injuries were reported.
In response, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, deployed a tactical team to Niger State to comb the area and reinforce security.
Preliminary findings suggest the terrorists may have been moving between hideouts in the state.
“All personnel involved have been accounted for and are safe,” Mr Siyaka-Aniviye stated.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Niger State has been a frequent target of armed groups, some linked to transnational terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram and Al-Qaeda.
The state recently witnessed the mass abduction of over 300 students and staff from a Catholic school, all of whom were freed after a month in captivity.
