By USMAN ALIYU

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is mourning eight of its personnel killed in an ambush by suspected kidnappers at Okpella, Edo.

The attack, which lasted for about three hours on Friday night, also left four NSCDC officers critically injured, one Chinese abducted and four Chinese rescued unhurt.

In a statement on Saturday by its national Public Relations Officer, Mr Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC said that the operatives were deployed to provide security for expatriates attached to the BUA Cement Company.

The corps said that the team’s convoy was ambushed by heavily-armed gunmen during a routine patrol.

It said that Its Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, described the incident as grievous, expressed sorrow at the loss of the gallant officers, and gave assurance that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.

“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 corps said that its Edo commandant and other senior officers would pay condolence visits to the bereaved families and ensure burial of the slain officers with full honours.

It added that it would take full responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured personnel to facilitate their recovery.

“The commandant-general 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 corps remains unwavering in its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.

“This cowardly attack will not deter us from carrying out our duties,” it said. (NAN)