The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman said that critical information, finance and payment documents of the authority were not tampered with during the fire incident at its headquarters.
Ms Bala-Usman disclosed on Sunday while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot assessment of the damage at the headquarters.
“What is paramount is that our services were not interrupted. Our network and our systems have been functional. Within two days of the incident, we’ve been able to resume. All port operations continued within 24 hours of the attack.
“We were able to ensure that critical information and documents are safe. All our financing and payment systems have been protected and were not in any way affected,” she said.
Explaining how the attack was carried out, the NPA boss said the hoodlums came in their numbers holding knives, daggers and were attacking security personnel at the building.
“They disarmed the security people and gained access to the premises where they torched so many places, burnt 27 vehicles, and a whole wing of a building was also torched.
“We were able to get the support of the Nigerian armed forces and they were able to apprehend six of the hoodlums who are with the Nigerian Navy undergoing interrogation, and necessary actions will commence within the necessary judiciary provision,” she said.
Ms Bala-Usman said further that operations have resumed in earnest with loss adjusters stepping up with an assessment and subsequent replacement of burnt items.