By Hosea Parah, Abuja

Terrorists have ambushed and killed seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and five other security agents at a mining site in Kaduna state.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations of the Corps, DCC Olusola Odumosu on Tuesday said the terrorists also killed five security agents from a sister security agency and local security service.

According to the statement, the terrorists carted away the riffles of the slain officers but the dead bodies have been recovered and deposited at the Barau Diko Hospital Kaduna.

“The personnel who were attached to the Kaduna State Ministry of Mines were ambushed and killed by bandits while on official duty at a mining site in Birnin Gwari local government of Kaduna state.

“The sad incidence took place on Monday 9th of January 2023, at about 10.00hrs at the Kuriga mining site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state.

“After the attack, the bandits carted away riffles of the slain operatives and the remains of the slain officers and men have been recovered and deposited at the Barau Diko Hospital Kaduna, the statement reads.

The Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi described the unfortunate incident as a big loss to the Corps, families of the slain victims and the nation.

He commiserate with the families and friends of the deceased and prays that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

The CG also directed that the Corps’ flag be hoisted at half-mast in honour of the officers.

He also directed that a national prayer involving both Christians and Muslims be organized at the Corps National headquarters, Abuja, to pray for Gods protection for all officers and men of the Corps in the new year and avert a recurrence of such awful incident.