Bloodbath as terrorists kill security operatives massively in Niger

Suspected terrorists have allegedly killed about thirty Nigerian soldiers, seven Policemen and six civilians in an attack in a mining site in Ajata-Aboki in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro local government, Niger State.

It was learnt several others also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and scores were abducted in the incident which happened on Thursday.

The Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Niger State, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki who confirmed the incident to newsmen said the terrorists equally kidnapped some Chinese nationals and other civilians.

According to him, “a large number of heavily armed and well-equipped terrorists with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons stormed the village on Wednesday by 4pm and headed to a mining site owned by expatriates and started unleashing mayhem on unsuspecting victims”.

He added, ” As I am talking to you this morning, the death toll has risen astronomically, at present, over thirty soldiers have been discovered in the bush and confirmed dead.

Kokki narrated that no fewer than seven Mobile Policemen attached to the mining site and six other civilians were gruesomely killed during the ambush.

He further posited that a large number of casualties were recorded, as the AK-47 rifle-wielding terrorists gunned down their victims at sight as well as shooting sporadically into the air.

“On getting the wind of the ugly development, the Nigerian Army stationed at a nearby Erena swung into action, engaging them in a fire for fire battle, unfortunately, as of yesterday, about six (6) officers were gunned down while many others have been wounded through multiple gunshots,” the co-convener added.

In a swift reaction, the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has directed the security agencies to go all out to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and ensure that none of the terrorists escapes.