Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has promised to assist the families of slain Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers and men.
On January 9, 2023, seven members of the corps were ambushed and killed, along with five members of a sister security agency and a local security service.
While on official duty at a mining site in Kaduna State’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, the personnel attached to the Kaduna State Ministry of Mines were ambushed and killed by bandits.
El-Rufai made the pledge while hosting the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, and commiserated with him on the deaths of the gallant men who died in active service.
In a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, on Sunday, the support would help cushion the effects of the hardship that the loss of their breadwinners may have created.
El-Rufai sympathised with the loved ones left behind and the NSCDC family, promising continuous support in terms of logistics, operational equipment, and working tools to improve its operational services.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the performance of the corps, especially in the protection of critical assets and infrastructure in the state, citing the mining sector as significant to the growth of the nation’s economy.
El-Rufai said he would direct all LGA chairmen in the state to build more outposts for the corps in their LGAs.
He commended the CG for bringing about transformational changes in the corps, like the establishment of the Special Female Squad, which was driving the Safe Schools Initiative, among other efforts.
Audi thanked the governor for his magnanimity in remembering the bereaved families.
He also appreciated him for more outposts he promised to build for the corps in the state, stating that the gesture would aid easy communication, reinforcement of personnel, and reduce response time to emergencies.
He stated that the governor’s support was coming at the right time because, in order to improve the operational activities of the corps in the State, he already approved the creation of additional eight divisional offices, three area commands, and more outposts in the state.
Audi assured the governor of the corps’ determination and commitment to doing its best in securing lives and protecting critical assets and infrastructure in the state without compromise.