The national headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on Monday, took over the case of eight of its officers who were killed in Edo on Friday.

Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, on Friday, killed eight personnel of the corps attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

An expatriate, a Chinese national, was kidnapped while four of his compatriots were rescued from their abductors.

Four people were also injured and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Reacting, in a statement on Saturday, NSCDC Commandant General Professor Ahmed Audi, directed the Edo State Commandant and other management staff officers to pay condolences to the families of the operatives who lost their lives in line of duty and further make arrangements for their burial with full honour.

The NSCDC boss noted that the labour, commitment and patriotism displayed by the operatives will forever be remembered.

He also said that those under intensive care would have their medical bills covered and adequate treatments given to make them recuperate speedily.

However, on Monday, the Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor, said an investigation into the matter was still ongoing and that the Corps National Headquarters is also handling the burial of the victims and the welfare of their family members.

He said “The National headquarters have 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, they must be brought to book, the Corps is not taking it lightly in anyway, those person who did that must and will be brought to book, there is no hiding place for them, we are doing the combing in collaboration with other security agencies.

“For the victims, communication has been established with families by the Corps headquarters, and the welfare of the families they left behind is being handled by the national headquarters.”

On the kidnapped expatriate, he said he is not aware of any contact yet, vowing that he would be rescued. (The PUNCH)