No fewer than eight operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been confirmed dead following an ambush by suspected kidnappers in Okpella, Etsako East local government area of Edo State.
The incident occurred during a routine patrol involving NSCDC personnel assigned to provide security for Chinese expatriates working at the BUA Cement Company. The convoy was said to have come under heavy gunfire in what the corps headquarters described as a “grievous attack” that lasted over three hours.
According to a statement from the NSCDC national public relations officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, four operatives sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, while four expatriates were successfully rescued, with one missing.
The spokesman of the agency in Edo State, Ogbebor Efosa, also confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City yesterday.
He said the incident happened at about 10 pm on Friday when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.
He said the hoodlums abducted one Chinese while four persons were injured and were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while one civilian was badly injured.
He added that four other Chinese were rescued unhurt.
Efosa said the state commandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, had visited the scene of the crime and the hospital where the injured were being treated. He also said joint security operations with sister agencies had commenced combing of the surrounding forest in pursuit of the perpetrators.
The statement from the headquarters said the Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the Edo State command to immediately visit the families of the deceased operatives and make immediate arrangements for their burial with full honours.
The commandant-general commended the bravery of the personnel, stating, “The labour, commitment, and patriotism displayed by our operatives will forever be remembered. It is painful that these young men put their lives on the line in the course of duty and paid the ultimate price.”
Audi assured that all medical expenses for the injured will be fully covered.
“We categorically urge the public to disregard all embellished or misleading reports. The corps remains fully committed to the welfare, safety and care of all our officers and men. This tragic incident will not discourage us from carrying out our statutory mandate. Our duty is to protect lives and property, and we will stop at nothing to do so. May the souls of our gallant officers who today paid the supreme price rest in peace,” he said.
He reiterated the corps’ commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure and commended the cooperation of other security agencies involved in the ongoing operation to locate the missing expatriate and apprehend the perpetrators.
