Gang members of suspected fleeing bandits and kidnappers from North East, West and some parts of the North Central States, some of whom were arrested and in the custody of the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), attempted attacking the Command’s headquarters in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The move by the suspected gang members was to release their members held in a cell for committing various offences, which included kidnapping, kidnapper’s informants, serial cattle rustlers and rapists among other crimes.
There was also an exchange of gunfire between the personnel of the Corp and the suspected bandits, who were said to be armed with sophisticated weapons.
The incident happened at about 3 am on Monday, June 17, 2024, a few hours after Eid-el-Kabir day.
They were however resisted from penetrating the premises of the state NSCDC headquarters, as the command reenforced its operatives, with the combined support of the military and police personnel in Lafia.
No arrest was however made during the encounter with the suspect bandits, who came in their numbers and strategically positioned.
Jerry Victor, the State Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, confirmed the incident in a chat with Business Day in Lafia.
He said an unspecified number of gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded the headquarters of the Corps in the early hours of Monday, about 3 am.
“They came in large numbers with iron rods and attempted to break some parts of the command’s fence to gain entrance into the facility, while others took up different positions around the building.
“Our men on duty, who suspected unusual move, swiftly responded by opening fire on the hoodlums, whose mission was to release some high-profile criminal suspects in custody
“Some were kidnappers, informants of the kidnappers, serial cattle rustlers and serial rapists and other criminals are in our custody.
“Specifically in our custody are notorious suspects, numbering five that were involved in various crimes, including two informants connected to the kidnapping and killing of the 82-year-old father of the former state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Daniel Umaru Lagi.
The NSCDC spokesman said, that because they are undergoing interrogation, they are likely to reveal the whereabouts of other members, while others have been charged and will be arraigned in court.
Lagi’s father was killed by his abductors even after a ransom was paid.
Victor solicited the support and cooperation of members of the public with useful information that would help trace those behind the attack on its Command’s headquarters.
It is on record that, a few weeks ago, there was been an increase in the activities of kidnappers and other crimes in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, leading to the restriction of movement of motorcycle and tricycle riders between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, by the authority of Lafia Local Government Council.
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