NPA: Attack On Our Headquarters Does Not Affect Our Operations in Any Way—Hadiza Bala Usman

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, on Sunday said that the recent attack on the Authority’s Marina headquarters in Lagos has not affected its operations, even as she disclosed that all assets of the Authority are comprehensively insured.

Hadiza while briefing journalists on Sunday 1st of November 2020, said that NPA has continued to render its services unhindered, and that insurers are currently undergoing an assessment of the damages.
Even though it took her more than one week to finally speak on the attack, Hadiza revealed that over 300 hoodlums hiding under the guise of ENDSARS protest had on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, attacked, vandalised and burnt sections of the agency’s headquarters in Marina Lagos.

She said that 27 vehicles parked within the premises of the building were completely razed while 33 vehicles were vandalised.

After carrying out an on-the-spot assessment of the damage, the NPA MD explained that the value of the damage cannot be ascertained at the moment because insurance companies are still conducting vetting processes on the damages.

According to Hadiza Bala Usman, “The management of the NPA regrets the attack on its 26/28 Marina Road, Lagos, corporate headquarters and the Tin-Can Island Port by unknown persons on Wednesday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 20, 2020, respectively.

The attack on the Tin-Can Island Port commenced at 9:45 am on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The hoodlums made an attempt to forcefully gain access into the port, attacked the administrative building and set ablaze a truck which was evacuating cargo. It took the combined effort of officers of the port authority police, the police mobile force and the Nigerian Customs Service to repel the attack.

The attackers at the headquarters numbering over 300 persons, gained access into the premises at 8:42 am on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, from the outer Broad Street wing brandishing, daggers, sticks and cutlasses.

“After attacking, disarming and chasing the security personnel on duty out of the headquarters premises, the attackers proceeded to burn and vandalise several vehicles belonging to the Authority and some members of staff. They thereafter set a wing of the office building on fire.

Upon knowledge of the attack, officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces were invited and deployed to the premises. They successfully dispersed the hoodlums and reclaimed possession of the premises following which the Authority’s firemen were able to gain access into the building and put out the raging fire.

“After an assessment of the extent of damage, it was discovered that apart from the annexe wing that was burnt, many offices were vandalised, while computers, printers, water dispensers and other electronic devices were looted.

“A total of Twenty-seven (27) vehicles, including cars, utility vehicles, pick up vans and staff buses were set on fire, while Thirty-three (33) other vehicles, twenty-two of which belong to members of staff were vandalised. A Toyota Prado SUV, a Bajaj Motorcycle and one Hilux patrol van were also stolen from the premises”