By Kelechi Ogunleye

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have neutralised over 50 boko haram members during a cross-fire at Farin- Kasa Area, Chikun LGA in Kaduna.

The information was contained in a statement by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi.

He stated that the incident took place on Monday evening, adding that a special monitoring squad comprising of 80 officers and men were deployed to survey and monitor the recently vandalised national grid installation in Shiroro area of Niger state.

He further said that the operatives drawn from the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) were sent to assess the state of damage, conduct surveillance activities and possibly arrest and bring perpetrators to book.

He said that the team were attacked while crossing from the Shiroro axis after the surveillance and monitoring oversight of the installations.

“ From the top of a hill located at Farin-Kasa, the group opened fire upon sighting the long convoy of the NSCDC monitoring team using different sophisticated weapons.

“The NSCDC operatives in the ambush however not overwhelmed by terrorists, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorists in the crossfire,” he said.

According to him, as at the time of filling this report, about seven operatives of the corps were currently missing.

"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,” he said.

Afolabi added that, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, while awaiting the full briefing on the incident from the officers on the field described the attack as callous, unfortunate and an attack too many on security operatives who have sworn to the defence of the country.

Audi commended the courage, resilience and gallantry of the operatives in neutralising over 50 of the bandits despite the attack from the mountain top, affirming that the corps is proud of them and would never forget such unflinching commitment.

He said that the corps being the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) will not be deterred by the attack but will strengthen efforts in actualising President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“The NSCDC will ensure the revival of the power sector for a stable electricity supply nationwide,” he said. (NAN)