2 killed by gunmen in attack on Nigeria's military academy

KANO, Nigeria

Two members of Nigeria's armed forces were killed on Tuesday when gunmen attacked the barracks of a military academy in the northern city of Kaduna.

One officer was also abducted by the attackers, known locally as bandits, confirmed Major Bashir Jajira, spokesman for the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

"The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted," said Jajira in a statement.

The NDA is in collaboration with the first army division in the country, as well as the Air Training Command and other security agencies in Kaduna state, he said, adding that Nigerian forces were in pursuit of the bandits "within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescuing the abducted personnel."

Jajira also underlined that the NDA "community and cadets are safe in the academy."

A source within the barracks speaking anonymously said security has been boosted in and around the premises to stop the bandits from escaping.

"It was a terrible experience, the bandits took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks."

"Right now, the whole barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the bandits would not leave the barracks ... it's believed that they're still within," the source said.

One of the officers who was injured in the attack is currently receiving treatment within the barracks.​​​​​​​