The seven slain operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had been laid to rest in Kaduna State.
The personnel were killed by bandits who laid ambush on them.
The NSCDC Director Public Relations, Mr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja,
recalling that the operatives were slain in Birnin Gwari community on Jan. 9.
He said his men were killed while on routine duty of protecting a mining site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.
Odumosu revealed that the corpses were handed over to families and loved ones at the NSCDC Kaduna Command after a brief interment ceremony.
Commandant General (CG) of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, bided the victims goodbye when he paid his last respect at the lying-in-state ceremony, held on Saturday.
Audi who was represented by Mr Idris Adah, Commandant, Kaduna Command, the CG commended the efforts of the gallant officers who lost their lives in defence of the country and described them as “Heroes, never to be forgotten.”
“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, love, be in peace and harmony with our fellow men because one day, all of us will give account to God,” he said.
The CG assured families and next of kins of the deceased of timely dispatch of benefits accruable to them.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for consoling and remembering the Corps at its time of grief.
According to Audi: “Mr President’s condolence message motivated us greatly, it renewed our strength and rekindled our hope that we are not alone.
“This means a lot to us as a service and we are grateful for the support we are getting from the presidency and we feel proud serving the nation.”
The CG said the Corps would not be deterred by the unfortunate incident, rather, it will spur the organisation into more aggressive action against the people’s common enemy.
