Bandits launch deadly attack on NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle

Suspected armed bandits have attacked a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost in Niger State and made away with a service rifle.

It was gathered that the attack occurred at an NSCDC nipping point in Ibrahim Leteh Village along the Wawa–Luma Road in the early hours of Tuesday.

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama on Tuesday in an X post revealed that the assailants besieged the outpost around 4:30 a.m. and opened fire on the facility.

Security sources said the two NSCDC personnel on duty took cover as the bandits shot repeatedly at the patrol vehicle and the small office at the location.

During the attack, the assailants reportedly stole one G3 rifle officially assigned to an NSCDC officer. No casualty was recorded.

Efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and arrest the attackers, while security has been reinforced in the area to prevent further attacks.

Bandits have increased their attacks on communities, churches in recent months, prompting the federal government to declare a state of emergency on security. The government has also declared bandits, kidnappers as terrorists, promising to deal ruthlessly with them.