Edo attack: NSCDC confirms eight officers dead, one expatriate missing, four rescued

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the death of eight of its gallant officers in a deadly attack by a gang of kidnappers against 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, who confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, disclosed that the convoy of both NSCDC operatives and Chinese expatriates was ambushed during a routine patrol, leaving eight officers dead, four seriously injured, while one expatriate is still missing. Four others 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.

“It is very imperative to relay to the public the exact situation surrounding the attack.

“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.

Speaking on the incident, the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, 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.

“The Corps wishes to state categorically that all embellished reports earlier made should be ignored, as the CG is wholly committed to the welfare, safety, and care of officers and men, noting that this occurrence will not discourage the Corps from discharging its statutory mandate in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure,” the statement added.

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