Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa State on Monday successfully defended their state command in Lafia against a raid by unknown assailants suspected to be bandits.

According to reports, bandits, in large numbers stormed the NSCDC’s Lafia headquarters shooting randomly to intimidate the public.

Confirming the incident, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state,Jerry Victorin a statement said that the group of gunmen infiltrated the headquarters in the early hours of Monday in large numbers armed with guns and iron rods, attempting to damage a section of the command’s fence to enter the premises. In contrast, others positioned themselves strategically around the building.

“The operatives of the NSCDC swiftly responded by opening fire on the hoodlums whose mission was to release some high-profile suspected criminals including informants of kidnappers in the custody of the command,” Victor noted.

The NSCDC spokesperson, however, clarified that no lives were lost wasduring the gun battle between the attackers and operatives of the command.

He also ascertained that calmness had been restored the area as the event earlier scared residents.

The NSCDC spokesperson explained further that the command has arrested and detained five notorious suspects for various crimes, including two informants of kidnappers of the 82-year-old father of a former state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Daniel Umaru Lagi who was killed by his abductors after payment of ransom recently.