A Major in the Nigerian Army and several security agents have been killed in broad daylight on Wednesday by terrorists in a mining site located at Ajata Aboki village via Erena Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA).
In a statement which was issued by Niger State government confirming the incident, it identified the slain military officer as Major Anara and Captain Abubakar Samido.
Several security agents were also killed as terrorists laid siege.
The statement which was issued by
Emmanuel Umar, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs of Niger State, explained that a joint security team engaged the terrorists, “and there were yet to be determined number of casualties from both sides”.
Those who were abducted from the mining site include two Chinese nationals and unspecified number of local miners.
While the encounter lasted, security agents reinforced and were in pursuit of terrorists which some of them were neutralised, while some security agents were rescued, but with various degree of injuries.
The injured victims have been evacuated 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.
“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.”
