Gunmen Attack Chinese Workers in Edo State, Nigeria; Kill Eight Security Officials

Benin City, Edo State – September 6, 2025:

Gunmen ambushed a convoy of Chinese expatriate workers and Nigerian security personnel in Edo State, southern Nigeria, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of eight security officials and the abduction of several Chinese nationals working for local BUA Cement.

The assailants targeted the convoy, leading to a violent confrontation. According to Afolabi Babawale, spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), four of the kidnapped Chinese workers were rescued, but one remains missing. Apart from the eight killed security personnel, four NSCDC operatives sustained serious injuries during the attack.

The incident underscores the escalating security challenges in Nigeria, where gunmen and kidnapping gangs have increasingly targeted locals, foreign nationals and local security forces. While such attacks have been more prevalent in the northern regions, incidents in the southern states, including Edo, are becoming more frequent, raising concerns about the expanding reach of criminal groups.