Bandits have attacked a mining site at Ajata Aboki village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killed security operatives, and kidnapped four Chinese nationals.
The attack was confirmed via a statement issued by the Niger State Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umaru, on Thursday.
Umaru stated that the attack occurred at about 6.00 pm on Wednesday, noting that the number of people killed was yet to be ascertained.
The commissioner added that a joint security team was quickly mobilised to the scene in response to a distress call received by the state government.
“Consequently, the joint security team engaged the terrorists and they were yet to determine the number of casualties from both sides.
“However, a yet-to-be ascertained number of workers in the mining site including four Chinese nationals were reported to have been abducted.
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“Security forces were reinforced for the manhunt of the remaining terrorists as some of them were neutralised and rescue of the injured victims including security personnel,” he said.
Umaru stated that those injured had been evacuated to government hospitals for treatment.
He added: “While the Niger government commiserates with heads of security agencies in the state and families of the slain personnel, the state government assures that their sacrifices will not go in vain.
“The state government acknowledges all the efforts of the joint security operatives and that of the communities toward taming the spate of insecurity in some parts of the state.”
The commissioner further enjoined the security operatives not to be discouraged in discharging their constitutional duties against all forms of threats.
Umaru assured that the state government would continue to provide them with the needed support to enable them eradicate banditry in the state, adding that the state governor, Abubakar Bello, has directed security agencies to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.
