Niger state government has confirmed bandits attack on a mining site located at Ajata Aboki village in Erena Ward of Shiroro local government area of the state.
A statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Umar made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday, said security agencies received distressed call at 4pm on Wednesday that the bandit terrorists had invaded the village.
According to Umar, “a joint security team was mobilized to the scene in response to the distress call and the team engaged the terrorists, which resulted in yet-to-be-determined number of casualties from both sides.
“Also, a yet-to-be-ascertained number of workers in the mining site, including four Chinese nationals were reported to have been abducted.
“Security forces mobilized reinforcement for the manhunt of the remaining terrorists as some of them were neutralized and rescue of the injured victims, including security personnel that sustained various degrees of injuries, have been taken to a government medical facility for treatment.
“While the Niger state government commiserates with the heads of security agencies in the state and the families of the slain personnel, the state government assures that their sacrifices will not go in vain.
“The state government acknowledged all the efforts of the joint security operatives and that of the communities in the state towards taming the spate of insecurity in some parts of the state.
“Security personnel are enjoined not to be discouraged in discharging their sacred duties of protecting citizens against all forms of threats as government will continue to be steadfast in providing them with the needed support in all ramifications,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has directed security agencies to go all out to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and make sure that none of the terrorists escaped.
