AN improvised explosive device (IED) has claimed the life of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abubakar Nurudeen, in Jakana, Konduga Local Government Area, along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road, Borno State.
Nurudeen was, on Thursday, inspecting Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) power lines previously brought down by unknown persons when the tragedy struck.
A reliable source within the Borno State NSCDC Command told this newspaper that Nurudeen alerted his colleagues upon stepping on the device and asked them to move back. He lifted his leg, but the IED immediately detonated, fatally injuring him.
Confirming the incident on Friday, NSCDC Borno State Public Relations Officer, Bulus James, said that Nurudeen, on duty with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), was part of a joint patrol unit responding to the downed power lines.
The RRS, comprising NSCDC and other security agencies, was established to safeguard the Maiduguri-Damaturu route frequently targeted by Boko Haram terrorists.
James explained that the patrol team observed the fallen TCN lines and, as standard procedure, stopped to take photographs for reporting purposes. Tragically, Nurudeen stepped on the hidden IED, resulting in his instant death.
A statement issued by the NSCDC confirmed the sad news, saying, “The Borno State Command was thrown into confusion this morning following the sad story of an explosive ordnance IED’s explosion which destroys three TCN power transmission towers between Auno- Jakana along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.
“The unfortunate incident occurred around 100 hrs of Thursday 28/12/2023 as confirmed by a security operative stationed at a checkpoint close to the area.
“At about 800 hrs, the Rapid Response Team (RRS) comprising of the Mobile Police, Civil Defence, DSS, NDLEA, Immigration, Hunters and CJTF on patrol stormed the area to ascertain the level of damage and to ensure surveillance over TCN assets, but unfortunately, a staff – called Abuakar Mohammed Nurudeen who was formerly with the PR Unit but recently posted to RRS steps on PDIDE, where he paid the supreme price.
“Commandant Farouk with the Commissioner of Police, DG SEMA and the Garrison Commander 7 Division Nigerian Army visited the crime scene and were duly briefed on the situation by the Police EOD team.”
The NSCDC team evacuated Nurudeen’s remains to the state specialist hospital, where his death was confirmed. He was subsequently buried according to Islamic rites.
It is noteworthy that another TCN 330kv transmission line near Katsaita village in Yobe State was similarly destroyed with explosives last week, causing blackouts in parts of Borno and Yobe. While no group has claimed responsibility for either incident, Maiduguri remains in darkness following the fatal attack on Nurudeen.
While TCN blames the Yobe incident on vandals, residents suspect the involvement of Boko Haram terrorists or individuals motivated by personal gain through such acts of destruction.