Gunmen on Friday night ambushed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on the Okpella–Agenebode road in Edo State, killing eight officers and abducting Chinese expatriates linked to BUA Cement Company.
The brazen attack, which occurred at about 10:30p.m on 5 September, also claimed the life of a civilian driver and left three others injured.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Corps confirmed the incident, describing it as one of its darkest days. Among the fallen was Chief Corps Assistant (CCA) Oluwatosin Sunday of the Ondo State Command, attached to the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department.
“Armed men laid an ambush on the convoy of a Chinese national from BUA Cement Company, Okpella, leading to the tragic death of eight NSCDC personnel and one civilian driver. A total of twelve persons were on escort duty at the time of the attack. Sadly, the Chinese national was kidnapped during the incident,” the statement read.
The NSCDC said the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary, while the three survivors are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The Corps, while saluting the gallantry of its officers who “paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” assured that security agencies are working to rescue the abducted expatriates and track down the assailants.
“We call on the public to remain calm as the Corps, in collaboration with sister security agencies, intensifies efforts to rescue the kidnapped victim and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,” the statement added.
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