Seven officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been declared missing following an ambush by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Kaduna State.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Monday in the Farin-Kasa area of Chikun Local Government Area while the officers were inspecting the national grid installation in Shiroro, Niger State.
According to Babawale, the team, comprising nine officers and 71 other ranks, was deployed to monitor vulnerable sections of the national grid following a series of attacks on power lines that had caused widespread blackouts in northern Nigeria.
“While on patrol, the team encountered stranded expatriates near Dagwachi village and allowed them to join their convoy for safety,” the statement read.
“However, unknown to the team, over 200 heavily armed Boko Haram militants had set a deadly ambush from a hilltop, targeting the convoy.”
The attackers unleashed a barrage of gunfire, sparking a fierce gunfight. Babawale revealed that the NSCDC operatives managed to repel the attackers, neutralizing over 50 insurgents in the process.
Despite their efforts, seven officers remain unaccounted for, prompting an ongoing search operation in the surrounding bush.
Several officers sustained injuries during the clash and are currently receiving medical attention.
Ahmed Audi, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act” against personnel committed to national service.
He praised the bravery of the officers and reaffirmed the corps’ determination to protect critical national infrastructure despite increasing security challenges.
The attack highlights the persistent threat posed by insurgents in northern Nigeria, raising concerns over the safety of personnel deployed to protect essential infrastructure in volatile regions.
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