The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has mourned eight of its personnel killed in an ambush by gunmen suspected kidnappers at Okpella in Edo State.
The attack, which lasted for about three hours on Friday night, also left four NSCDC officers critically injured, one Chinese abducted, and four Chinese nationals rescued unhurt.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, in a statement on Saturday, September 6, 2025, said the operatives were deployed to provide security for expatriates attached to the BUA Cement Company.
Babawale stated that the team’s convoy was ambushed by heavily armed gunmen during a routine patrol.
He quoted the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, as describing the incident as grievous.
Audi also expressed sorrow at the loss of the gallant officers and gave assurance that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
BUA cement: Gunmen kill 8 NSCDC personnel, abduct expatriate in Edo
Audi stated: “The labour, commitment and patriotism displayed by our operatives will forever be remembered.
“The corps stands firmly with their families at this moment of grief.”
He added that the NSCDC would take full responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured personnel to facilitate their recovery.
He said: “The NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies, is combing forests in Etsako East to rescue the abducted expatriate and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The corps remains unwavering in its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
“This cowardly attack will not deter us from carrying out our duties.”
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