Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed a manhunt on the remaining terrorists who attacked the Ajata Aboki mining site in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
The terrorists in the attack on Wednesday evening killed over 13 members of the Joint Taskforce, an uncertain number of individuals and abducted four Chinese Nationals and other workers at the site.
The Governor, in a statement on Thursday, condemned the terrorist attack saying that the government will ensure they do not escape.
“This is really disturbing especially as the state has been relatively peaceful with only pockets of attacks being recorded as compared to some time past.
“It really saddened my heart to hear about this. It is even more worrisome to know that the lives of security personnel were involved and expatriates were also among those kidnapped.”
He commiserated with heads of the various security agencies that are part of the joint security operatives in the State for the loss of their personnel while ensuring the safety of people.
The Governor also sympathized with the families of the slain security agents, assuring them that the sacrifices of their loved ones will not go in vain and commended the bravery of those who engaged the terrorists, causing them to record casualties also.
Bello appealed to the security personnel not to be dampened by the incident on their colleagues encouraging them to remain committed to discharging their duties and ensure the safe return of the four Chinese Nationals and an unspecified number of workers kidnapped at the mining site.
He also prayed for the safe return of those kidnapped.
