Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday foiled a kidnap attempt on Chinese expatriates in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, after a fierce gun battle with armed kidnappers that lasted for more than three hours.
The incident, which occurred on 5 September 2025, left eight people dead, including four NSCDC personnel, while four others sustained serious injuries. One expatriate remains missing, but four others were successfully rescued.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, the operatives were ambushed while providing security escort to the expatriates working at BUA Cement Company. Despite the heavy attack, the officers repelled the kidnappers and secured most of the expatriates.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, described the fallen operatives as gallant officers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. He directed the Edo State Command to visit the bereaved families and oversee burial arrangements with full honours. He also assured that the medical expenses of the injured officers would be fully covered by the Corps.
Audi further condemned the attack, vowing that it would not deter the NSCDC from fulfilling its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure. He commended other security agencies for collaborating with the Corps to comb surrounding forests in search of the kidnappers and the missing expatriate.
He urged the public to disregard unverified reports on the incident, stressing that the Corps remains committed to the welfare of its personnel and the safety of Nigerians.
