Invasion of a mining site in Ajata Aboki village by armed bandits on Wednesday was verified by the Niger State Government on Thursday via Erena Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA).
One Major Anara and Captain Abubakar Samido were reportedly among the military casualties in the terrorist incident that took place at around 2:00 pm.
Unknown numbers of security personnel, including police officers, were shot and killed.
A unified security squad engaged the militants, and there were “still to be decided number of casualties from both sides,” said Emmanuel Umar, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs of Niger State.
Unknown numbers of mining site employees, including two Chinese nationals, were purportedly kidnapped.
“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 in the state 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, hence, 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.”
“His Excellency, Abubakar Sani Bello, the Governor of Niger State, has therefore directed that the security agencies should go all out to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and make sure that none of the terrorists escape,” the government said.
