By New Citizen
Terrorists have kidnapped two Chinese nationals and an unknown number of local workers at a mining site located in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, who confirmed the incident in a statement he issued in Minna today, said based on a distress call received that armed bandits/terrorists invaded the mining site, a joint security team was mobilised to the scene.
Consequently, the team engaged the terrorists, he said, adding that the exact number of casualties was yet to be determined.
Umar said in the statement: “Niger State Government wishes to confirm that on 29/6/2022 at about 1600hrs, based on a distress call received that armed bandits/terrorists invaded a mining site located at Ajata Aboki village via Erena Ward of Shiroro LGA and a joint security team were mobilised to the scene in response to the distress call.
“Consequently, the joint security team engaged the terrorists and there were yet to be determined number of casualties from both sides.
“However, a yet to be ascertained number of workers in the mining site, including two Chinese nationals, were reported to have been abducted.
“Security forces mobilised reinforcement for the manhunt of the remaining terrorists as some of them were neutralised 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.”
The commissioner also said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has 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 escapes.
