Edo CP Agbonika breaks silence on killing of 8 NSCDC operatives

By Jethro Ibileke with agency report

Edo Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has described the recent killing of eight operatives of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC by kidnappers who also abducted a Chinese national as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished

The Police Commissioner said this on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the attack.

He also promised that the abducted Chinese national will be rescued alive.

While vowing to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of the security operatives to justice, the commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo command of the NSCDC.

Agbonika also paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice,” Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area,” he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace,” he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

Gruesome murder

The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had on Friday killed eight operatives of NSCDC, injured four others and one civilian at BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East local government area of the state.

The deceased operatives were escorting five Chinese expatriates on a routine patrol when the attack occurred at the company’s entrance.

The gunmen who reportedly laid ambushed on their on their victims, opened fire on the officers escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance gate.

Sources who witnessed the attack disclosed that the gunmen who were armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the area at about 10 pm caught the NSCDC operatives off-guard during a routine patrol.

They confirmed that eight NSCDC men were killed and one of the Chinese expatriates was abducted while four others were rescued.

“Eight officers were killed in five others including a civilian injured. One Chinese expatriates abducted while four others rescued unhurt,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has assured that the unfortunate incident would not discourage the Corps from discharging its statutory mandate in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.