Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State have survived an ambush during an operation, with the state commandant crediting an armoured vehicle provided by the state government with helping to protect the officers.

The NSCDC Commandant in Sokoto State, 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.

He said the Sokoto State Government had recently provided the command with four operational vehicles, including an armoured vehicle, which he said had significantly strengthened the corps’ 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.

The commandant stressed the need for security agencies to be adequately equipped, noting that criminals were increasingly becoming more sophisticated and dangerous in their attacks.

He also highlighted the sacrifices made by security personnel, saying the public often remained unaware of the risks officers faced in the line of duty.

Ajayi urged stronger collaboration between the NSCDC and the media, describing journalists as important partners in efforts to combat insecurity.

He assured members of the Correspondents’ Chapel that the command would maintain an open-door policy and directed NSCDC personnel to make their contact details available to journalists for faster communication during security incidents and emergencies.

According to him, collaboration between security agencies and the media should extend beyond routine reporting to include discussions on operational challenges, arrests, detention of suspects and emerging security threats.

Ajayi maintained that tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of crime required the collective efforts of security agencies, government authorities, communities and the media.

He also urged journalists to maintain accurate and responsible reporting, saying credible information could strengthen public confidence and support ongoing security efforts in Sokoto State.