The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the deaths of four of its officers after an ambush by Boko Haram militants in Niger State. Out of seven officers initially declared missing, two have safely returned, while one remains unaccounted for.
The incident occurred during a routine inspection of National Grid Installations in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The officers, part of the NSCDC’s Special Squad, were ambushed at the border between Niger and Kaduna states by heavily armed insurgents.
In a statement, NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi announced the fatalities and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, visited the injured survivors in a hospital to show support. During the visit, he praised the officers for their courage and assured them that the Corps would handle their medical expenses and other welfare needs.
“The personnel demonstrated an unwavering determination and commitment to the service of their fatherland, hence, deserve all the support they can get from the organisation and the government they swore allegiance to.
“The visit was necessary to know how they are faring and to encourage those directly affected and all personnel at large that the leadership of the Corps places a very high premium on their welfare and will never abandon them especially in situation like this”, he assured.
Seven personnel of the Corps’ Special Squad drawn from the national headquarters, Federal Capital Territory FCT and Kaduna State Commands respectively were declared missing in action when they were ambushed in boundaries between Niger and Kaduna state by the Boko Haram insurgents during an inspection tour of the National Grid Installation.
“As of today, out of the seven missing officers, four dead bodies had been recovered, two men returned back to base unhurt while one personnel is still missing in action”, said Afolabi.
