TheCable

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, says troops of the Nigerian Army repelled an attack by insurgents on a military base in Sarkin Pawa area of the state.

According to NAN, the development was confirmed in a statement by Mary Noel-Berje, chief press secretary to the governor, on Monday.

Bello said the insurgents attempted to attack the town and the military base around 2:23 am on Monday.

He said the troops who responded to a distress call, arrived at Sarkin Pawa town within 30 minutes, and that many of the insurgents were killed during a gun battle.

“The planned attack would have been devastating if not for swift response by the gallant soldiers at Sarkin-Pawa and the reinforcement team that responded swiftly to distress calls,” he said.

“There was no casualty on the side of the military while a number of terrorists were reportedly neutralised while some of them escaped with bullet wounds.

“The swift response by the soldiers stationed in Munya and reinforcement team’s response to the distress calls from Minna was commendable.”

He commended the security operatives for making efforts to tackle the situation despite the “poor nature of the terrain in which they fight the enemies of state”.

“Niger state government acknowledges the effort of military and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity in the state,” he added.

He assured residents that the state is working with the federal government to ensure criminals attacking farming communities and destroying sources of livelihood are eliminated.