A suspected Boko Haram attack has left seven NSCDC officials unaccounted for after an ambush in [location]. Authorities launch search and rescue efforts.
A monitoring team from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The incident took place on Monday in the Farin-Kasa region of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State while officials were examining the National Grid installation in Shiroro, Niger State.
In a statement, NSCDC spokesperson DCC Afolabi Babawale announced that a team from the organization, consisting of nine officers and 71 other personnel, was deployed in response to recent attacks on power lines. These incidents have resulted in blackouts affecting northern Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Operation Haskanite: Boko Haram Ambush Claims the Lives of General and Senior Officers
He stated, “While patrolling vulnerable areas, they came across expatriates stranded near Dagwachi Village and offered them a spot in the convoy for their safety. Little did the team know that over 200 armed Boko Haram militants were lying in ambush on a hilltop, prepared to unleash a barrage of gunfire on the unsuspecting convoy.”
Driven by determination and resourcefulness, the NSCDC operatives valiantly countered and managed to neutralize over 50 insurgents during the encounter. However, amidst the chaos, seven officers remain unaccounted for, prompting an urgent search of the bush to find them. Those injured are currently receiving medical treatment.
NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi criticized the attack, describing it as a cowardly act against personnel dedicated to defending the nation.
He commended the operatives for their bravery and determination, highlighting the Corps’ steadfast dedication to protecting essential national assets and infrastructure in light of increasing security challenges.
