The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has explained how it lost eight officers in a gun duel that lasted for about three hours with a gang of armed kidnappers who ambushed them on September 5, 2025 at Okpela, Edo State.
The NSCDC in a statement on Saturday also confirmed that four officers were seriously injured during the gun duel while a Chinese expatriate was also kidnapped.
The statement said all these occurred when a a gang of kidnappers engaged its operatives attached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The officers lost their lives during a gun duel that lasted for about three hours on 5 September 2025 with a gang of armed kidnappers who ambushed them.
National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Mr Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Saturday said NSCDC personnel were killed in an ambush laid for them by the kidnappers.
Babawale , however, said four other chinese expatriates were successfully rescued.
He explained that operatives had been deployed to provide adequate security and ensure the safety of the Chinese expatriates working at BUA Cement Company.
He said : “Quite unfortunately, the convoy of both NSCDC operatives and the Chinese expatriates was ambushed during a routine patrol, leaving eight personnel dead, four seriously injured, one expatriate missing, and four expatriates rescued.
“The Corps wishes to reiterate its commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure and wholly condemns such an attack.”
Afolabi stated that the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the Edo State Commandant and other management staff officers to pay condolences to the families of the gallant operatives who lost their lives in the line of duty, and further make arrangements for their burial with full honours.
The NSCDC boss noted that the labour, commitment, and patriotism displayed by the operatives would forever be remembered.
He also said that those under intensive care would have their medical bills covered and be given adequate treatment to enable them to recuperate speedily.
Audi appreciated the relevant security agencies that collaborated with the NSCDC to ensure that the forest where the kidnappers escaped was properly combed in order to rescue the abducted expatriate and immediately apprehend the perpetrators.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
