How NSDDC personnel survived ambush in Sokoto — Commandant

Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State recently survived an ambush during an operation, with the commandant, Akinrun Emmanuel Ajayi, attributing their escape partly to the protection provided by an armoured vehicle supplied by the state government.

Ajayi disclosed this on Tuesday when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, paid a courtesy visit to the command.

The commandant, who spoke on the dangers confronting security personnel in the field, displayed a damaged operational vehicle, saying it was evidence of the attack and the risks officers face while carrying out their duties.

He said the state government’s provision of four operational vehicles, including an armoured vehicle, had significantly enhanced the command’s ability to respond to security threats.

“If not for the effort of the state government, especially the four vehicles recently provided to us, including the armoured vehicle, something could have happened. The bullets could not penetrate and the men were able to escape,” Ajayi said.

According to him, the incident demonstrated the importance of equipping security personnel with appropriate operational assets, particularly as criminals continue to employ increasingly dangerous tactics.

Ajayi also lamented that the sacrifices and challenges faced by security personnel were often unknown to members of the public, stressing the importance of the media in reporting such realities.

“Nobody will hear this if not for people like you. Nobody will speak about our contributions to the public if not for your presence,” he added.

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He consequently called for stronger collaboration between the NSCDC and the media, describing journalists as important partners in the fight against insecurity.

The commandant assured the Correspondents’ Chapel of an open-door policy and urged journalists to approach the command whenever they needed information on security developments.

“My door is widely open to you. You don’t need to knock before entering this office. You don’t need to knock for any security coverage or anything that you want from us,” he said.

Ajayi further directed officers of the command to make their contact details available to journalists to facilitate quick communication during security incidents and other emergencies.

He said the relationship between the media and security agencies should extend beyond routine reporting to include regular engagement on operational challenges, arrests, detention of suspects and emerging security threats.

The commandant maintained that tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities required collective efforts from security agencies, government, communities and the media.

He urged journalists to sustain professional and responsible reporting, noting that accurate information and effective communication could strengthen public confidence and support security efforts.

Ajayi reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining close cooperation with the media, saying information-sharing and mutual understanding remained critical to protecting lives and property in the state.