The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is mourning the loss of eight of its personnel who were killed in an ambush attack by suspected kidnappers in Okpella, Edo State.
The attack, which lasted for about three hours on Friday night, also left four NSCDC officers critically injured, one Chinese national abducted, and four others rescued unhurt.
According to a statement issued by the NSCDC’s national Public Relations Officer, Mr. Afolabi Babawale, the operatives were deployed to provide security for expatriates attached to the BUA Cement Company.
The team’s convoy was ambushed by heavily-armed gunmen during a routine patrol, leading to the tragic loss of life.
The NSCDC’s Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, has described the incident as grievous and expressed sorrow at the loss of the gallant officers. He assured that their sacrifices would not be forgotten and that the corps stands firmly with their families at this moment of grief.
“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,” the statement read.
The NSCDC has announced that its Edo commandant and other senior officers would pay condolence visits to the bereaved families and ensure the burial of the slain officers with full honours.
The corps has also taken full responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured personnel to facilitate their recovery.
The Commandant-General has condemned the attack in strong terms, assuring that the NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies, is combing forests in Etsako East to rescue the abducted expatriate and apprehend the perpetrators.
The NSCDC remains unwavering in its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, and this cowardly attack will not deter them from carrying out their duties.
