The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has ordered an immediate tactical response following the brutal killing of eight of its operatives and the abduction of a Chinese expatriate in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, on Tuesday, the NSCDC Boss, Professor Ahmed Audi, directed the deployment of special tactical squads to comb the area, rescue the kidnapped expatriate, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
It will be recalled that NSCDC operatives were ambushed on the night of Friday, September 5th, 2025, while on duty to safeguard critical infrastructure and protect lives and property at the BUA Cement Company in Edo State.
According to eyewitness accounts, the brave operatives engaged in an intense three-hour gun battle. Tragically, eight personnel lost their lives during the confrontation. However, the operatives successfully rescued four expatriates who were working in the quarry section of the company at the time of the attack.
The Commandant General expressed deep sorrow over the loss, commending the courage and dedication of the fallen officers.
The statement noted that the CG has now launched a full-scale intelligence operation, led by the head of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant CC Dandaura Appollos. The deployed units include the Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics, and Special Protection Units, among others.
The deployed teams have been tasked with “an express order to effect possible arrest, rescue the kidnapped expatriate, and consequently bring the perpetrators to book, and have appealed to the public to kindly aid the corps with any useful information that will assist in tracking down the perpetrators,” the statement noted.
Audi urged the public to support the corps with any relevant information to aid the manhunt.
He also assured that security around the BUA facility had been significantly reinforced to ensure the safety of both indigenous workers and expatriates, as well as the protection of critical assets.
“The corps will not succumb to any form of threats or be deterred by the activities of subversive elements and evil perpetrators who carried out the heinous attack, but rather be focused and re-strategise in discharging its statutory mandates,” Audi stated.
The CG added that the NSCDC remains committed to engaging local communities through civil relations and other non-kinetic strategies to address the growing security challenges in the region.
This incident came less than a year after a similar attack on NSCDC personnel.
On November 18, 2024, a monitoring team was ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents while inspecting National Grid installations in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The team, comprising nine officers and 71 personnel from various commands, had just completed surveillance activities and was escorting stranded expatriates returning from a mining site near Dagwachi Village.
The convoy was attacked in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun LGA, Kaduna State, by over 200 heavily armed insurgents firing from a hilltop. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the NSCDC operatives fought back and reportedly neutralised over 50 insurgents during the firefight.
That ambush resulted in the deaths of four NSCDC officers, while one remained missing. Two others managed to return to base unhurt.
Source: The Punch
