NSCDC officer shot dead as ‘kidnappers’ invade UNIBEN bursar’s residence

The Edo command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says Alex Osawa, one of its personnel, was killed during a crossfire with suspected kidnappers in Benin City.

In a statement on Thursday, Richard Ogbebor, the command’s public relations officer (PRO), said the crossfire happened when NSCDC officers confronted some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers, who gained access to the residence of the bursar of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

The PRO said one of the fleeing hoodlums sustained gunshot injuries, while Osawa’s corpse has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy.

“An officer of the NSCDC has been killed in a crossfire with hoodlums who stormed the residence of Dr Victor Imagbe, the bursar of the University of Benin,” Ogbebor said.

“At about 03:45 hours Thursday morning, the hoodlums gained access into the bursar’s compound at Ogheghe community, near Benin.

“On sighting the personnel of the NSCDC, they opened fire. During the crossfire, our personnel, Mr Alex Osawa, was gunned down.

“However, one of the fleeing hoodlums sustained bullet wound during the crossfire. More officers from the NSCDC and police operatives were re-mobilised to the scene, while the corpse of the officer has been evacuated to the morgue for autopsy.”

The NSCDC PRO added that security operatives are on the trail of the hoodlums.