7 NSCDC Officers Missing After Ambush in Kaduna
Seven officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are missing following a deadly ambush by suspected Boko Haram militants. The attack targeted the Commandant-General’s Critical Infrastructure Monitoring Team during their return from a surveillance mission to a power installation site in Niger State.
The ambush occurred on Monday, November 18, 2024, in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The mission aimed to assess and secure power lines that had been attacked recently, leading to widespread blackouts across northern Nigeria.
According to a statement by the NSCDC national spokesperson, DCC Afolabi Babawale, the convoy included nine officers and 71 other ranks. As the team patrolled vulnerable areas, they encountered stranded expatriates near Dagwachi Village and offered them safety within the convoy. Unbeknownst to them, over 200 heavily armed insurgents had positioned themselves on a hilltop and launched a surprise attack.
Despite being outnumbered, the NSCDC operatives put up a fierce resistance, reportedly neutralizing more than 50 insurgents during the confrontation. However, the chaos left seven officers missing, and a search operation is currently underway. Those injured in the attack are receiving medical treatment.
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, condemned the ambush, describing it as a cowardly attack on dedicated personnel. He commended the officers’ bravery and reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting national infrastructure.
Dr. Audi assured the public that efforts to locate the missing officers are ongoing. He emphasized that the NSCDC remains undeterred by such challenges and steadfast in its mission to safeguard critical assets and ensure the stability of Nigeria’s power sector.
