Gunmen On

…Abduct Edo Line Bus, Camry Passengers On Benin-Akure Highway
…Seven Dead, Many Injured In Katsina Bandits’ Attack

BENIN/KATSINA – Eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Ce­ment Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, were on Friday night killed by dare devil gunmen.

Confirming the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Benin, the image maker of the agency, Ogbebor Efosa, revealed that the attack occurred on Friday, August 5, 2025, at about 10.pm, when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatri­ates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.

According to him, “The suspected kid­nappers, armed with sophisticated weap­ons, ambushed the NSCDC personnel at­tached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.

“The attackers laid an ambush at the company’s entrance. They opened fire sporadically, engag­ing NSCDC operatives in a gun duel.

“Despite the loss of personnel, NSCDC operatives successfully rescued four expatriates. The armed group escaped into the bush with one abducted expa­triate.

“The surviving NSCDC per­sonnel repelled further assault and secured four expatriates safely. The injured officers were evacuated and are receiving med­ical care.”

Efosa said the Edo State Com­mandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, has since visited the scene of the crime and the hos­pital where the injured are being treated.

Efosa also said that joint se­curity operatives have launched a manhunt, combing the sur­rounding forest, in pursuit of the kidnappers.

Similarly, kidnappers report­edly struck along the Benin– Akure Expressway on Friday, targeting passengers travelling in an Edo Line bus and a Toyota Camry.

According to sources, sev­eral passengers were abducted during the attack.

However, security operatives have successfully rescued 16 victims so far, while search and rescue operations are still ongo­ing to free others believed to be in captivity.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Command, SP Moses Iyamu, con­firmed the incident on Saturday, stating that 16 out of the 18 vic­tims had been rescued.

He stressed that the police have intensified a “search and rescue” operation in collabora­tion with “local vigilantes and hunters” to ensure the release of the remaining passengers from the kidnappers’ den.

Meanwhile, reports from Katsina say the State Communi­ty Watch Corps has repelled an attack by bandits on Magaji Wan­do village in Dandume LGA of the state.

Dr Nasir Muazu, the state Commissioner for Internal Se­curity and Home Affairs, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said the incident oc­curred Friday night, between 11. pm and midnight, where seven lives were lost when the armed bandits launched an attack on the village.

He, however, commended the swift and courageous interven­tion of the Community Watch Corps for repelling and prevent­ing the attack.

In the immediate aftermath, those who sustained injury during the attack were evacuat­ed.

However, they were am­bushed on their way to the hos­pital by the same group who wanted to take revenge.

During the exchange of gun­fire, the commissioner stated that their vehicle was riddled with bullets and burnt by the bandits, but the Community Watch Corps members fought bravely, escaped the ambush, and returned to safety.

He added that preliminary findings revealed that the same group of criminals carried out the am­bush to avenge the death of their members in Maga­ji Wando Community.

It stated that the Katsina State government, through the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, commend­ed the bravery and sacrifice of the Community Watch Corps for their prompt response and their continued commitment to safeguarding vulnerable com­munities under hazardous conditions.

“We extend our deepest con­dolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pray for the quick recovery of the in­jured,” he said.