Their corpses were handed over to families and loved ones at the NSCDC Kaduna Command after a brief interment ceremony.

Seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) shot dead by bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been buried.

The officers were ambushed and killed on Monday, 9 January, 2023, while on routine duty of protecting Kuriga mining mining site.

Their corpses were handed over to families and loved ones at the NSCDC Kaduna Command after a brief interment ceremony.

The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR,  paid his last respect to the slain officers at the lying in state ceremony, held on Saturday, 14 January, at the Kaduna State Command of the Corps.

Dr Audi expressed rude shock while consoling families, friends and loved ones on the sad loss and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Represented by the Commandant, Kaduna Command, Idris Yahaya Adah, the CG praised the efforts of the gallant officers who lost their lives in defence of the country and described them as “Heroes, never to be forgotten.”

Addressing people during the ceremony, Dr Audi said, “they died in active service, they fought a good fight with the last drop of blood in their veins to safeguard the country. Although the loss is painful and the tears are much, but God knows best. We cannot question God; therefore, let us live right, be in peace, love and harmony with our fellow men because one day, all of us will give account to God.”

He described the 7 personnel who died as committed and dedicated members of the Corps who will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends at work.

“They paid the supreme price for the nation, they died for us, they are our Heroes and we shall always remember them. The world is saddened, the President and Commander in Chief is saddened, Officers and men of the Corps are also saddened. What has happened has happened, we however, look unto God, and pray for forgiveness of their sins and for acceptance on the last day,” he said.

The CG assured families and next of kins of the deceased of timely dispatch of benefits accruable to them.