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A monitoring team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents while inspecting the National Grid installation in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred on Monday, in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The team consisting of nine officers and 71 other ranks from various NSCDC commands, had completed surveillance activities in Shiroro and was en route to their base when they were attacked, the corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The ambush came as the team escorted stranded expatriates found in the bush around Dagwachi Village, who were returning from a mining site.
According to the statement, over 200 heavily armed insurgents reportedly attacked the convoy from the top of a hill, opening fire with sophisticated weapons.
Despite being outnumbered, the NSCDC operatives successfully repelled the attack, reportedly neutralising more than 50 insurgents during the crossfire.
Seven NSCDC operatives are currently missing, and efforts are ongoing to locate them.
Several personnel sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a medical facility.
The NSCDC team was deployed to monitor and protect the National Grid installations following frequent attacks and vandalism that had recently caused a nationwide power blackout.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ monitoring team for the National Grid Installation located in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have come under a heavy attack by the deadly Boko Haram terrorist group.
“Unknown to them, over 200 dreaded armed boko haram elements had laid ambushed on a vengeful mission against security operatives who they claimed had been giving them problems.
“And from the top of a hill located at Farin-Kasa, they opened fire upon sighting the long convoy of the NSCDC monitoring team using different sophisticated weapons,” he explained.
The spokesperson continued, “The Combined NSCDC operatives in the ambush however, not overwhelmed by terrorist, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorist in the crossfire.
“As at the time of filling this report, about seven operatives of the NSCDC are currently missing in action and efforts are currently underway to locate them in the bush, while a few others who sustained various degrees of Injuries are currently undergoing medical treatment in a Medical facility.”
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, described the attack as “callous and unfortunate,” commending the bravery of the operatives in repelling the assault.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure despite such challenges.