The national headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken over the case involving eight of its personnel who were killed by suspected kidnappers in Edo State on Friday.
The slain operatives were attached to the BUA Cement Factory in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, where gunmen ambushed them. An expatriate, a Chinese national, was abducted during the attack, while four of his compatriots were rescued. Four other persons sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
In a statement on Saturday, the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, described the incident as a painful loss, noting that the sacrifice, commitment, and patriotism of the officers would never be forgotten. He directed the Edo State Command to condole with the bereaved families and make arrangements for the burial of the deceased with full honours. He further assured that the medical bills of those injured would be fully covered by the Corps.
On Monday, the Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor, confirmed that the case had been taken over by the Corps headquarters in Abuja. He disclosed that operatives were still combing forests in collaboration with other security agencies to track down the perpetrators.
“The national headquarters has taken over the issue; investigation is still ongoing and our men are still out there combing the forests because those men must be brought to book. The Corps is not taking it lightly in any way, and there is no hiding place for the culprits,” Ogbebor said.
He added that the families of the victims were already in communication with the Corps, with welfare arrangements being handled by the national leadership.
On the kidnapped expatriate, Ogbebor noted that there had been no official contact with the abductors but assured that efforts were underway to secure his release.
