Tragedy struck in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State when operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents during a routine inspection of the National Grid installation. The attack, which occurred on Monday, November 18, also extended into the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
According to Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC spokesperson, the team consisted of nine officers and 71 other ranks from various commands. The operatives had completed their surveillance in Shiroro and were returning to base when they encountered the ambush. The convoy was also escorting stranded expatriates found in the bush near Dagwachi Village, who were returning from a mining site.
The attackers, numbering over 200, launched a coordinated assault from a hilltop, utilizing sophisticated weapons to target the convoy. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the NSCDC operatives mounted a fierce resistance, neutralizing over 50 insurgents during the crossfire. However, the ambush left seven NSCDC operatives unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to locate them.
Several other personnel sustained injuries in the attack and are currently receiving medical treatment. The NSCDC team had been deployed to protect critical national grid installations following repeated attacks and vandalism that had caused nationwide power outages in recent months.
In a statement, Afolabi detailed the circumstances of the ambush, noting the insurgents’ apparent objective to retaliate against security forces that had been disrupting their activities. “Unknown to them, over 200 dreaded armed Boko Haram elements had laid ambush on a vengeful mission against security operatives who they claimed had been giving them problems,” he said.
The attack underscores the ongoing challenges security forces face in safeguarding critical infrastructure and communities in conflict-affected regions. The bravery of the NSCDC operatives in repelling the attack, despite being outnumbered, was commended by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi.
Describing the incident as “callous and unfortunate,” Audi lauded the operatives’ resilience in defending their mission. “The Combined NSCDC operatives in the ambush, however, not overwhelmed by the terrorists, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorists in the crossfire,” Afolabi stated.
The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram insurgents, particularly in regions where critical infrastructure is at risk of attack. Security forces have repeatedly been targeted in similar ambushes, raising concerns about the safety of personnel deployed to vulnerable locations.
Efforts to locate the missing operatives are ongoing, with the hope of their safe recovery. In the meantime, the NSCDC has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical national assets, including power installations, despite such dangerous challenges.
The attack is a grim reminder of the sacrifices made by security operatives in the fight against insurgency. It also calls attention to the need for enhanced intelligence gathering and tactical strategies to counter ambushes and improve the safety of security personnel in the field.
As the nation mourns the loss and uncertainty surrounding the missing operatives, the bravery and dedication of the NSCDC officers in the face of overwhelming odds stand as a testament to their commitment to national security.
