No fewer than 17 lives have reportedly been gunned down when gunmen struck a mining site managed by the Chinese Nationals at Ajata-Aboki in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Okay.ng reports that the attacked which also left several others injured was confirmed in a statement on Thursday released by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Emmanuel Umar.
The statement read, “Niger State Government wishes to confirm that on 29/6/2022 at about 1600hrs, based on a distress call received that bandits/terrorists invaded a mining site located at Ajata Aboki village via Erena Ward of Shiroro LGA and a joint security team were mobilized to the scene in response to the distress call.”
“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 and rescue of the injured victims including security personnel that sustained varying degrees of injury 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 Commissioner also revealed that the there was casualties from both sides when the gunmen were engaged by the joint security team.