Tobias Sylvester
Bandits have killed four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and six other persons during an attack that involved the use of an explosive in Galadima Kogo community in Niger State.
Gunmen Attack Niger Community With Explosives
It was gathered that the gunmen had attacked Gpekure, Makuba, and Galapai communities on Sunday, killing ten persons and kidnapping 13 others before they planted Improvised Explosive Devices in the area on Monday morning.
The spokesperson of NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, confirmed the death of the four officials on Monday from the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Odumosu said, “A bomb explosion has rocked an operational vehicle of the Niger State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, killing four personnel instantly.
“The driver of the vehicle sustained very serious injuries during the blast and had been rushed to the hospital where he is currently battling for his life.
“The explosion occured along Galadiman Kogo axis in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State at the early hours of Monday morning, involving some officers and men of NSCDC Niger Command attached to Shiroro HYDRO Power Station, Shiroro, Niger State.
Mr Odumosu said the officials were “on a routine patrol in the early hours of Monday morning when their patrol vehicle stepped on a buried land mine which exploded immediately killing all occupants except the driver who is currently in a very critical condition.”
He identified the deceased personnel as: ASC I Mohammed Ibrahim; ASC II Cheche Ahmed; IC Yunusa Mahmam; and CAI BALA Abdullahi, adding that the driver identified as “Inspector Bala Adamu is currently in the hospital receiving treatment.”
“The Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, has commiserated with families of the deceased officers and men who paid the supreme price in service to the nation and reassured residents of Niger of the Corp’s resolve and commitment to the security of lives and property of Nigerians without deterrence,” the statement said.
The spokesman of the Niger police command, Wasiu Abiodun also confirmed in a statement that a land mine exploded on a patrol van in which the NSCDC officials were riding Monday morning.
The statement reads, “The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21/02/2022 at about 0100hrs, armed bandits/terrorists attacked Galadima-Kogo village, Shiroro LGA killing about six persons and set some houses ablaze,” the statement reads.
“However, joint tactical teams comprised of the Military, Police, NSCDC and Vigilantes were mobilised to the scene, and unfortunately while on their way, a truck with NSCDC personnel ran into an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted by bandits/insurgents along the routes and exploded.
“Consequently, as a result of the IED explosion, four NSCDC personnel lost their lives, while the driver sustained serious injuries and presently receiving treatment in a hospital, in Minna.”
Abiodun added that Bala Kuryas, Niger commissioner of police, “has deployed the Police Explosive Ordinance Unit (EOD) to sweep the area with a view to defuse other IEDs that might have been planted in the area, while one of the notorious bandits/insurgents was apprehended and investigation is ongoing as the suspect is undergoing interrogation in Police custody”.
KanyiDaily had also reported how an airstrike by the Nigerian Army targeting ‘bandits’ has killed seven children and wounded five others by mistake in Niger Republic.
