From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Bandits suspected to be Boko Haram members,  yesterday, ambushed and killed seven Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers, five other security personnel and an  unspecified  number of local security force  in Kaduna.  
The bandits were reported to have carted away their rifles and other accoutrements.
The personnel who were attached to the Kaduna State Ministry of Mines were ambushed and killed by the bandits while on official duty at a mining site in Birnin Gwari Local Government of Kaduna State.
In a statement, the Director,  Public Relations of the NSCDC,  DCC Olusola Odumosu said that the sad incidence took place   about 10.00hrs at the Kuriga Mining Site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.
According to him, the remains of the slain officers and men have been recovered and deposited at the Barau Diko Hospital Kaduna.
The Commandant General (CG), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi,  described the unfortunate incident as a big loss to the corps, families of the slain victims and the nation.
He commiserated with the families and friends of the deceased and prayed  that God grant  them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
So, in  honour of the slain personnel, the CG has directed that the corps’ flag be hoisted at half-mast and that a national prayer involving both Christians and muslims be organised at the corps national headquarters, Abuja, to pray for God’s protection for all officers and men of the corps in the new year and avert a recurrence of such awful incident.