(DDM) – Nigeria’s fragile security situation deepened on Friday after armed men ambushed a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) convoy in Edo State, killing at least eight operatives and kidnapping Chinese nationals working with BUA Cement.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the attack occurred in a forested part of the state, where the convoy was providing protection for expatriate staff en route to a BUA Cement project site.
According to NSCDC spokesperson Afolabi Babawale, the armed assailants opened fire on the security vehicles, leaving eight operatives dead and four others with gunshot wounds.
He confirmed that four Chinese workers were later rescued, though one remains missing as search operations intensify.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with survivors recounting how the attackers outnumbered and outgunned the escort team.
“It was a coordinated ambush,” one local resident said. “They were clearly waiting for them.”
Insecurity crisis and business risks
The attack highlights Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, where kidnappings for ransom have become a booming criminal industry.
While northern states have long grappled with banditry and insurgency, southern regions like Edo and Delta have seen a rise in violent abductions targeting expatriates, oil workers, and infrastructure companies.
Security experts warn that such incidents could discourage foreign investment, particularly in sectors like cement, construction, and mining.
BUA Cement, one of Nigeria’s largest cement producers, has been expanding operations across the country, including Edo State, where its plants play a key role in local employment and infrastructure development.
Broader kidnapping trend
This latest tragedy echoes similar cases in recent years. In 2022, Chinese nationals were abducted during railway construction in Niger State, sparking a military rescue mission.
Oil company staff, university lecturers, and even medical workers have all been victims of abductions, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the crisis.
Analysts note that criminal groups often target foreign workers due to the perception that their employers or home governments can pay higher ransoms. However, such attacks also expose security gaps within Nigeria’s protective agencies.
Calls for urgent reforms
Civil society groups and opposition politicians have condemned the killings, accusing the government of failing to protect citizens and foreigners alike. Critics argue that underfunded security agencies, corruption, and poor coordination continue to fuel criminal impunity.
For the families of the slain NSCDC operatives, the incident represents not just a national security failure, but also a personal tragedy. Many of the officers were breadwinners, leaving behind spouses and children.
Meanwhile, the fate of the missing Chinese national remains uncertain. Security forces say operations are ongoing to track down the kidnappers, though such manhunts often drag on for weeks.
As Nigeria prepares for another election cycle and struggles with economic stagnation, violent attacks like this serve as stark reminders of the challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation.
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