Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State have survived an ambush during a security operation, with the state commandant crediting an armoured vehicle provided by the state government for helping the officers escape.
The NSCDC Commandant in Sokoto, Akinrun Emmanuel Ajayi, disclosed this on Tuesday when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited the command.
Ajayi showed journalists a damaged operational vehicle, describing it as evidence of the risks security personnel face while carrying out their duties.
According to him, the Sokoto State Government had provided the command with four operational vehicles, including an armoured vehicle, which has strengthened the command’s ability to respond to security threats.
He said the armoured vehicle protected the officers when attackers opened fire, allowing them to escape safely.
Ajayi stressed that the incident demonstrated the importance of providing security agencies with adequate equipment, particularly as criminals continue to use more dangerous tactics.
He also highlighted the sacrifices made by security personnel, noting that the public may not always be aware of the risks officers face while protecting communities.
The commandant called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and journalists, describing the media as an important partner in efforts to address insecurity.
He assured members of the Correspondents’ Chapel that the NSCDC command would maintain an open-door policy and directed officers to make their contact details available to journalists for faster communication during security incidents and emergencies.
Ajayi said cooperation should extend beyond routine reporting to include discussions on operational challenges, arrests, detention of suspects and emerging security threats.
He maintained that tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other crimes requires joint efforts involving security agencies, government authorities, communities and the media.The commandant also urged journalists to maintain accurate and responsible reporting, saying reliable information could strengthen public confidence and support security efforts in Sokoto State.
