By Fadlillah Abdallah
The Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), has said that bandits on Wednesday attacked a mining site in Ajata-Aboki village in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, killing 32 people and abducting three Chinese national, with scores injured.
This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), Barrister Salis Sabo made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday.
“The terrorists numbering about 300 and riding on 100 motorcycles, invaded the mining site in Ajata-Aboki where 32 people were killed at a mining site owned by some expatriates. The mining activities has been going on there for over two years despite the security challenges in the area and the site has never been attacked until yesterday.
“The attack was said to have been targeted on the expatriates to be kidnapped for ransoms. While the terrorists were making their way to their targeted victims through many villages, they were heard telling the villagers not to run, maintaining that they did not come for them,” the group said.
According to the statement, one of the locals whom the bandits asked about the road leading to mining site, was gunned down because the villager refused to lead them to the site.
The terrorists, who were “Allahu Akbaar” (God is the Greatest) are believed to be Boko Haram/ISWAP members, who were not initially domiciled in the area and who are not also Nigerians.
“They grouped themselves into four, some wearing military camouflage uniform, mobile police and some Vigilante. They started shooting after succeeding in kidnapping the expatriates silently. Seven mobile policemen ands two soldiers were gunned down.
“Later at Unguwan Maji under Erena Ward, the military had planned to ambush the terrorists but the military vehicle got stuked on the way due to the bad terrain which later exposed their plans to the terrorists.
“The military engaged the terrorists since around 4pm till Thursday morning. As at the time of this report, 23 more bodies of the soldiers were recovered. Many soldiers and mobile police are still missing,” the statement further reads.
