In July 2017, members of an oil exploration crew working for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, were ambushed and abducted by Boko Haram armed insurgents near Jibi Village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

At least 27 people died in the attack after rescue efforts by soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF. The victims, who included soldiers, staff of University of Maiduguri, engineers and some personnel of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, were ambushed while on an oil exploration mission in Lake Chad.

The Nigerian government, in its reaction, halted exploration in the region.
In September, few months after the attack, the NNPC announced its resolve to commission another team to handle a similar mission in the Sokoto basin.

The move is believed to be part of President Muhammadu Buhari